The 2006 American comedy-drama The Devil Wears Prada just celebrated its 11th anniversary this past week. This highly acclaimed movie features the drama and struggles within the fashion industry, and of course, the notorious editor-in-chief of fashion magazine Runway, Miranda Priestly (Anna Wintour alert!!). Over the past 11 years, this movie has become a celebrated amateur “fashion bible” for fashion enthusiasts all around the globe. From its dynamic and sassy storyline to Patricia Field’s million-dollar costume design, this movie has influenced the world’s impression and understanding of the fashion industry in an unprecedented way.
If you’ve watched the movie, you’ll probably remember Miranda’s infamous speech in her Runway office on how fashion trends “trickle down” into the common markets and how, essentially, whatever we’re wearing comes from the choices she and her team makes in that glorious NYC office. “[…] That ‘blue’ represents millions of dollars and countless jobs […] You’re wearing a sweater that was selected for you by the people in this room, from a pile of… stuff.”
Over the past decade, fashion trends are not the only things that have come and gone. The market itself has also changed and transformed greatly. To Miranda Priestly, it could take months, even years, for designers’ “high-end” ideas to trickle down into mall-based brands. However, the reality in 2017 is that it could take only a matter of weeks in the current market. The recent opening of New York Fashion Week 2k17 has already created some loud noise on social media and throughout the fashion industry.
Red Power
Dolce & Gabbana, Oscar de la Renta, Givenchy, Fendi and Armani all featured the extremely powerful colour red in their Fall 2017 collections. As Victoria Beckham said in her interview at NYFW on being a celebrity designer, aiming to empower women with her collections and her Estee Lauder makeup line: “It started out with girl power. Reaching women and girls through music, and now I can do that through beauty. I can do that through fashion. I’m a girl’s girl.” Similarly, red represents radiant “girl power” and the unquestionable abilities found within every female. It is bright, it is elegant, and it is empowering.
Affordable Alternative: Zara
As one of the most favourable clothing brands for university students, Zara is widely known for the relevance of its designs, high product turnover rate and extremely affordable prices. Zara introduced 282 new products featuring “RED” for its Fall 2017 collection. Ranging from basic products to capes, frayed jackets, accessories and shoes, red is definitely one of the keywords for Zara during this year’s pumpkin spice season.
The Comeback of the Furs
Just like diamonds are a girl’s best friend, Anna Wintour says that she can not live without fur. In fact, fur has never – not even for one season – left the public eye in the fashion industry. Fall/Winter 2016 featured a series of statement fur, so 2017 is the season for these trends to go back in time. The natural brown color scheme used by Yeezy, Céline, Michael Kors and many other brands are more classic and vintage-inspired.
Affordable Alternative: Urban Outfitters
I would consider it quite a jaw-dropping experience to witness a young student walking down University Avenue wearing a big, luxurious fur coat! However, I also understand that desperate desire to wear something fluffy and have the classic look of an actress from the 1940’s. If you’re not the “all eyes on me” kind of gael, why not check out this UO faux fur hoodie sweatshirt for men? For young, eco-friendly young adults, faux fur is always the perfect alternative. This newly introduced faux fur product features the brand’s unique exquisite hipster style. It is the perfect mixture of casualness, uniqueness, and a dash of pretentiousness.
Bling-Bling Boots!
Remember when Kim Kardashian reinvented the rain boots with clear thigh-high heels? And remember how uncomfortable you were after trying them on only once after spending 10 hours searching for them online? Sparkle and shine are the new shoe trends of this season. From Oscar de la Renta’s silver embellished boots to Rihanna’s shiny Saint Laurent’s, boots are coming back strong featuring glitterati and are this season’s definite must haves!
Affordable Alternative: J. Crew
J.Crew’s Collection Chelsea Glitter Ankle boots are almost as swag as the big brands, with the exception of being extremely affordable. This winter, be brave and pair your sparkling ankle boots with creative options. Simply roll up the cuffs of your skinny jeans at the perfect length – or why not just take out a pair of scissors? Rather than zip up those zipper cuffs, why not just leave the hem open over this beautiful pair of sparkly boots?
Deconstructed Classics
One of my favourite Spring/Summer 2017 trends has to be sleeve slits, as we say goodbye to the flared sleeves of 2016. Lacoste and Prabal Gurung both featured this creative and unconventional cuts in the same matte pink colour scheme, and have both given me the urge to cut some of my jackets’ sleeves open!
Affordable Alternative: Reinvent!
Kim Kardashian reinvented rain boots with transparent plastics, why can’t students reinvent their own clothes? Take out your old collarless sweatshirts and cut out two holes at the armpits, or just reuse your flared sleeve shirts from last year! For lazy enthusiasts like myself, steal one of your boy toys’ oversized shirts and leave the wrist buttons wide open to create a similar yet more chill style, AKA “the walk of pride from my boyfriend’s’” look. Put on a giant pair of vintage shades and walk into the fall/winter sunshine fearlessly!