Diane Von Furstenberg Fall 2014

It's been forty years since Diane Von Furstenberg created the iconic wrap dress that's become a staple in many women's wardrobes.  She celebrated with an exhibit that opened earlier this year, The Journey of A Dress, in Los Angeles.  Her fall 2014 collection at New York Fashion Week was a continuation of her journey.  The collection was full of bold patterns and metallic wrap dresses with deep-v necklines throughout.  Patterns seemed to have a 70s inspiration synonymous with the days of Studio 54 when she was in the early days of her career.  Annie Clark of St. Vincent performed through the runway show closing with with models all wearing gold metallic dresses and dancing to the music on stage.  

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.

Jason Wu, spring 2014. 

Lacoste spring 2014 collection.

Lela Rose organza dress with a romantic feel for spring 2014 collection. 

Crop top trend. Narciso Rodriquez spring 2014.
(Photo: Imaxtree and Alessandro Lucioni) 

Other Reading:
The New York Times: Is New York Fashion Week Near the End of The Runway?

BEAUTY | Orange You Beautiful

Rag & Bone. (Getty Images)

 New York Fashion Week is well under way and there is no shortage of trends starting to pop up at all the shows and in the streets of New York.  One beauty trend making a statement is the color orange.  Orange lips were on most of the models at the Rag & Bone show.  Dark skin, light skin and bronze skin - all shades had the bright matte painted orange lip on the runway.  Scoot down to the Suno show and orange painted nails were also the highlight.  The color of choice was Maybelline Orange Fix.

This citrus colour is not for the shy and introverted.  Wear this and you'll have all eyes on you everywhere you go.

Rag & Bone show. (Getty Images)

Rag & Bone (Getty Images)

Suno show backstage where model shows off the orange manicure. (Getty Images)

Tadashi Shoji at New York Fashion Week

Tadashi Shoji, has been dressing women on the red carpet for years.  The Japanese designer's clients include some of the biggest celebrities in Hollywood.  Actress Octavia Spencer wore one of his gowns at the Academy Awards as she won her first Oscar for her role in The Help.  Tyra Banks, Beyoncé, Kate Beckinsale, and Kelly Osbourne have all been seen wearing his dresses.

Shoji opened up Mercedes-Benz Fashion Week in New York last month with a collection that brought the guests through an era of luxury.  The dresses showed an influence of Shanghai in the 1930's.  The colors were in soft shades and the textures included Chantilly lace, chiffon and velvet.  Shoji told IB Times TV that he was inspired by the 1932 film "Shanghai Express" starring Marlene Dietrich.