As New York Fashion Week comes to a close and we move across the pond to London, Paris, and Milan, let’s take a look at what American designers are planning for the upcoming year. Though springtime is probably the last thing on anyone’s mind as we finally move into fall, the fashion world is always two steps ahead of us, and for spring 2013, we saw a little of everything: from reviving retro classics to blending far-off cultures, here’s a look at some of our favorite shows so far.
Alexander Wang
At just 28 years old, Alexander Wang has established himself as the bona fide king of New York cool in shockingly little time. This season, he revamped his edgy-urban look to experiment with volume, pulling apart classic sportswear garments for a modern, deconstructed aesthetic. The clinical-chic look was an exciting development for Wang, but the high point of the show was unquestionably the finale, when the lights dimmed and the models’ white clothes actually glowed in the dark. Talk about standing out from the crowd.
Rag and Bone
Tomboy-chic masters David Neville and Marcus Wainwright of Rag and Bone redefined yet again the idea of easy but cutting-edge dressing. Between striped, lace-trimmed tap shorts, parachute dresses, and elegantly oversized ensembles, the collection screamed insouciant cool, with a finely tuned motocross influence – moto vests and leather pants, anyone?
Marc Jacobs
Another king of New York fashion himself, Marc Jacobs’ spring collection was a radical about-face from his maximalist, over-the-top fall show (who doesn’t remember those comically large hats?). Jacobs pared down his repertoire, offering up a modern tribute to Andy Warhol’s it-girl Edie Sedgwick, yet managed to pull it off without seeming retro or derivative. With covers of Warhol-approved band the Velvet Underground playing in the background, models walked out in thoroughly unembellished, austerely chic pieces, and stripes galore.
J.Crew Collection
Nature photographs served as the main inspiration for Tom Mora, head of women’s design at J.Crew, and it showed itself in the best ways possible. Super saturated bright shades of pink, yellow, and green, coupled with flora and fauna prints – a favorite was a pair of pink pants laden with miniature skunks – dominated the collection, while regular J.Crew staples like pajama shirts and statement pants also made a welcome appearance.
Altuzarra
This season, Joseph Altuzarra proved yet again why he has become a mainstay in the legions of the fashion-forward. His collection continued the journey of his fall collection’s urban gypsy theme, throwing in a little bit of Bollywood for good measure. In addition to a smattering of gold tassels on almost every look, Altuzarra revisited the railroad stripe, which seems to be on the upswing as far as the fashion world is concerned. No-nonsense dressing was a theme heard round Lincoln Center these past few days, which will put Altuzarra’s wares at the top of everyone’s shopping lists come spring.
Photo Sources:
style.com