blonde & brunette spring style predictions

We can't let Fashion Week get by without at least commenting on it!

Right now in New York, designers are holding their Spring 2011 RTW shows!!

Spring?

It's not even Fall yet!

If that's your reaction, keep reading...(otherwise skip this paragraph or we apologize for this brief detour)

There are 3 "levels," if you will, of fashion shows.

Haute Couture

Haute couture pieces are made with very expensive fabric and incredible attention to detail.  They are hand-sewn, and more attention is paid to the quality of fabric than to the expense or hours it takes to produce the garment.  Haute couture is the height of fashion and often can be eccentric.

Ready to Wear

Ready to Wear (RTW) shows are made up of quality fashion that is produced in pre-determined sizes, and can be purchased by the consumer.  High quality of fabric and details are also qualities of ready to wear fashion, although the pieces are not custom tailored to the purchaser.  Pieces are made and sold in small quantities.  This is a cross between haute couture and mass production.

Mass Production 

Mass production is probably what we are all wearing today: Gap, Banana Republic, Express, Limited, Old Navy, Anthropologie, Ann Taylor - typically the quality of fabric is lesser than ready to wear, and the pieces have been designed for simpler production techniques by machine. 

Why is this important?

Well it just explains why Spring fashion is showing this Fall.  First are the ready-to-wear shows, quickly followed by couture shows, and this gives plenty of time for the mass producers to see which trends catch on, and can begin to find fabrics and production techniques to bring the runway fashions to the rest of us!!

SO -

Without further adieu...

Spring is about showing a little skin...not in the overt Britney Spears belly shirt way, but with cut outs and cropped tops!

Love these girly dresses...

(Monique Lhullier, Dennis Basso, Bill Blass, Maz Azria)

Some used the cut outs with a more funky feel...

 

(Rodarte, Malandrino, Herve Leger, Tracy Reese)

cropped tops...

(Badgley Mischka, Cynthia Steefe, Cynthia Steefe, Wes Gordon)

Jumpsuits are also here to stay...well, at least for another summer!
They took a more formal approach this season. 
If Blake Lively doesn't wear that Marchesa soon I'm not sure what I'll do!

(Jenny Packman, Malandrino, Rebecca Minkoff, Marchesa)

a little more casual...

(Tibi, Wes Gordon, Karen Walker, Cynthia Steefe)

Spring is always about putting a color back into your life after a normal black/grey/brown winter wardrobe.  This year, designers filled the runways with strong colorful seperates.  Love the metallic shoes!

(Cynthia Steefe, Carlos Miele, Rachel Roy, Diane von Furstenberg)

We kept spotting this intense red/orange color on the runway!

(Monique Lhuillier, Carlos Miele, Cynthia Rowley, Peter Som)

Many paired this color with a camel and/or bronze...

(Monique Lhuillier, Lacoste, Rebecca Minkoff, Vena Cava)

Another "surprise" we kept noticing was collared shirts??

(Peter Som, Proenza Schouler, Peter Som, 3.1 Phillip Lim)

The overall feel on the runways for Spring is 1970's glamour!  Hello, jumpsuits and cropped tops with high waist pants!

But the man of the moment, Mr. Marc Jacobs took 70s glam to the next level!

Aww, it was love at first sight:)

Who doesn't love a floppy hat and a wide leg pant?!?

Many other deisgner gave a nod to the 70s too...

(Rebecca Taylor, Tracy Reese, Anna Sui, Tracy Reese)

I mean, come on, if leisure suits don't scream 1972 then what does?!?

(Marc Jacobs, Derek Lam, Derek Lam)

So exciting but still 9 months away so let's get back to dreaming of FALL!!

Have a great weekend!

~ the blonde & the brunette