Style & Culture: STYLE | NEW YORK FASHION WEEK

Naomi Campbell struts down the runway at New York Fashion Week to round-out Diane Von Furstenburg's
runway show for spring 2014. (Photo: AP/Jason DeCrow)

This year New York Fashion Week was surrounded by talk about whether the shelf life of runway shows was over. The New York Times published an article questioning the relevancy of Fashion Week. More and more fashion insiders have been expressing discontent at the chaos surrounding the events. Too much focus has shifted from the garments to 'which celebrity is in the front row'. What started out as Press Week in the 1940s has turned into a chaotic mix of celebrities, bloggers, street style photographers and people who just desperately want to be part of the action. (CLICK HERE TO READ NYTimes article)

All in all, it was a whirlwind ride of over 300 collections shown at New York Fashion Week for spring 2014. Despite the chaos, designers had the opportunity to show the world what will be in stores next spring. With so many collections it can be difficult to pull out what the big trends were. Especially when many designers have their own design aesthetic. Some of the significant trends we saw included black & white, mesh fabrics, lace details, crop tops, white leg trousers, graphic prints and patterns, fringe, sheer and of course denim.

Calvin Klein, Phillip Lim and Herve Leger were among the designers to mix fringe into their collections. It was done in a way that was modern and never borderlined on tacky. Meanwhile graphic patterns were seen at Diane Von Furstenberg, Ralph Lauren and Zimmerman.

Herve Leger spring 2014 collection mixed in fringe into its sexy runway show.

Thom Browne's Elizabethan references were focused on the clean palette of white mixed with hints of black and grey. Details using stiff white lace, pleated silk and pearl-like buttons were important in this collection while models were done up with hair and makeup that was enough to spook anyone.

Thom Browne's spring 2014 collection was full of Elizabethan refrences.

Black and white looks from the NYFW runway. Photo Getty Images

Derek Lam spring 2014. (Photo Imaxtree & Alessandro Lucioni)

The athletic look of netted mesh was a trend embraced on the runways of Vera Wang, Rachel Zoe and Nanette Lepore. Not just for jerseys and casual clothing, it was mixed in with other textiles to create a more sophisticated look yet maintained a relaxed feel.

Vera Wang spring 2014 collection.

Nanette Lepore spring 2014.

When it came to beauty, it was a mixture of barely there makeup with the bold and beautiful. Bright orange lips were the highlight at Rag & Bone, Prabal Gurung and Marissa Web. It was clear that Salmon, melon and tangerine orange will be bringing a punch of citrus to our cosmetic bags next spring.

Sheer fabrics in organza, lace and chiffon were leaving little to the imagine on some runways while others carefully had panels of sheer with fabric that covered just the right places. Emphasizing the waistlines, legs and other body parts, sheer is definitely a trend for spring.

And let's not forget the crop top of this past summer. Once again it will be a key item for the season next spring and summer. Get your abs ready to show off your midsection.