New York Fashion Week's Top Trends - Spring 2010

by StyleList Staff (Subscribe to StyleList Staff's posts)
Posted Sep 23rd 2009 at 1:35PM

Painterly prints at BCBG. Photo: Karl Prouse, Catwalking/Catwalking

The shows are still rolling out in Europe so we have yet to see all of the spring trends emerge but here's a list of what was hot last week in New York.

Watercolor Prints - As an alternative to sharp shoulder, edgy silhouettes (or in Michael Kors' case, in addition to) designers opted for for pretty painterly prints. Nicole Miller, and BCBG, Cynthia Rowley and Luca Luca also dabbled in the fine French art of aqurelle.

Cutouts - Slinky peek-a-boo slits at Preen, Jill Stuart, Alexander Wang, Rodarte, Yigal Azrouël, and Hervé Léger are giving women a good reason to get in shape.

Stars Galore - In the form of earrings and prints at Derek Lam, Isaac Mizrahi, Vena Cava, and Costello Tagliapietra. Consider it fashion's personal Galaxy Quest.

Flat sandals - Say au revoir to the high heel thanks to Marc Jacobs' eponymous collection and the designer's diffusion line Marc by Marc. Francisco Costa at Calvin Klein also showed flat footwear.

Fall hues for spring: Burnt amber hues at Donna Karan, J.Mendel, and Rebecca Taylor.

Organic fabrication - To create their dreamy prints, Costello Tagliapietra collaborated with AirDye, an organization creates said patterns without wasting water or emitting pollutants. Meanwhile Organic by John Patrick's speakeasy-themed collection was created with green fabrics for the third season in a row.

Menswear - The models were suited up in 3-piece pinstripes at Ralph Lauren, while louche sophistication ruled at Richard Chai Love and Band of Outsiders.

Hair Bows - A slew of designers used bows to top off their garments with varying degrees of flounce. Marc by Marc Jacobs went totally 80s with bright ribbons, Milly opted for black bows that would make Madonna proud and Rebecca Taylor let the trend go to her models' heads - literally - with clever chignons twisted into a bow shape.

Dark Nails with Texture - It's the polar opposite of the usual springy brights, but many designers chose subversive tips - with flashes of flare - to anchor their flowery prints and exuberant stars. The nails at 3.1 Philip Lim were black with zaps of blue and green. Tracy Reese finished her black tips with a sparkly top coat, Carolina Herrera mixed black with purple for a "heathered" effect, and Rodarte's inky look was achieved with black polish infused with chunky black glitter.

Random Front Row Celebs - Aside from the usual gaggle of editors, socials, and stars, there were some unexpected attendees. Mickey Rourke attended Max Azria and Michael Douglas was at Michael Kors. Janet Jackson sat prettily in the front row at Ralph Lauren while Jason Schwartzman revisited with Kate and Laura Mulleavy - the makers of his his wife's wedding dress - at Rodarte.

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