Olympus Fashion Week Trends for Spring 2007
Fashion Week: it’s a dizzying whirlwind of beautiful clothes and beautiful people. The extravaganza in
New York City
showing the Spring 2007 collections lacked neither, and while the shows were crawling with celebrities, the real excitement was the clothes. The collections displayed a mixture of continuity with and change from the styles of 2006. An ’80s-inspired feel- complete with slouchy sweaters, layers and even MC Hammer pants- created the milieu, as it has throughout 2006. But ’07 will be defined by different characteristics as well. Here is a glimpse of the trends for 2007 that dominated the runways at Fashion Week in
New York
.
Femininity Returns
In contrast to the masculine, military style that has been popular this fall, shades of femininity returned to the spring shows. Ladylike and elegant looks defined this trend; girlish styles were few and far between. Designers interpreted this trend in a number of ways by using all different lengths of skirts and dresses, softened layers and a rainbow of colors. The variety within this theme showed that the feminine look will not be static, but rather vibrant and tasteful.
The Costello Tagliapietra collection was at the vanguard of this trend with sensuous fabrics draped into a variety of dresses. Shirtdresses and slipdresses at knee length, mid- and floor-length strapless gowns, and a one-shouldered dress reminiscent of an ancient toga exuded womanly beauty. Carolina Herrera also offered a dress fit for a goddess: Her white jersey, toga-style dress was belted with a thin gold rope, giving the appearance that Aphrodite herself stepped onto the runway. Herrera’s entire collection was consistently feminine; its shirtdresses with belts and cinched waistlines in pinks and light neutrals radiated a classy, light feeling.
Nicole Miller offered a new take on the boho look of seasons past. Her collection showed an indigenous quality with shirtdresses, peasant blouses, and fitted skirts and gowns in earthy tones of orange, mustard and beige. South American-inspired patterns evoked images of Incan priestesses, while shiny metallic fabrics contributed an updated feeling to the collection.
Ashleigh Verrier, in her second season, captured the feminine trend with ruffles, sheer fabrics and corsets. Translucent blouses and slipdresses in chiffon and satin created a fresh, distinctly feminine feel. Her use of creamy pastel shades of yellow, salmon, blue and ecru added to the womanly sense, while her mini-skirts and strapless, sheer corsets looked sexy and refined.
In one of the most dramatic collections of Fashion Week, Oscar de la Renta presented a plethora of dresses in bright colors and feminine styles. Called “confident and self-assured” by British Vogue, de la Renta’s collection included adorable shirtdresses and slipdresses with a number of bodice types, from high rounded necklines to plunging v-necks to fitted strapless corsets. Ruffles, lace and floral patterns accentuated but didn’t overwhelm the dresses. Floor-length gowns, both fitted and in flowing, sweeping fabrics created a spectacular vision of grace and beauty. The range of colors used, including black, yellow, hot pink and blues of all shades, added unmistakable vibrancy.
The Bubble Endures
A trend at
New York
‘s Fashion Week that carried over from fall 2006 is the bubble. Inspired by dresses from the 1940s and the designs of Cristobal Balenciaga, this voluptuous, sculpted style continued to grace the runways at the spring shows. Collections were full of different-sized bubbles, ranging from slight puffs to dramatic billows. A gentle bubble skirt cinched at the hem was a particularly prevalent look; it kept popping up in various collections and looked attractive just about everywhere. This unique silhouette is dramatic, but it can have trouble crossing over from the runways to real life. The skirts and dresses that softly accentuated the folds of fabric at hip level are definitely the most wearable versions of this trend. Despite its current popularity, don’t expect the bubble to become a perennial favorite. It’s an enjoyable dalliance for skirts and dresses in 2007, and a number of designers had fun with it.
Brian Reyes captured the best toned-down version of this look with his strapless bubble dresses. Displaying gentle puffs with that cinched hem, these dresses were a refreshing reinvention of the Balenicaga classic. Described as “unusual but still wearable” by New York Magazine’s Fug Girls, Reyes’ dresses were unique yet understated.
The Marchesa and Betsey Johnson collections displayed the polar opposite. Both featured extravagant bubbles, mostly on mid-length cocktail dresses. Marchesa’s bubbles were dramatic extensions of the dresses; the fabric was folded and twisted into large, rounded shapes as well as oversized rosettes. Most of these bubble dresses were strapless satin creations in bright white, shiny black, and shocking colors like hot pink. Big bubble sleeves even made an appearance. Betsey Johnson’s bubbles also appeared on metallic mid-length dresses. Skirts and shirtdresses featured them as well, adding an assertively playful feel to her already intense collection. Inspired by her baby granddaughter (who made a runway appearance), Johnson infused her collection with child-like imagination that manifested itself in vivid colors and bold shapes. The bubble, therefore, melded perfectly with the exuberance and audacious sexuality of her spring line.
In an unusual departure from the bubble skirts and dresses, Marc Jacobs incorporated this trend into his pants, recreating the (in)famous MC Hammer pants of the ’80s. Jacobs’ pants, which look like they came straight from the “You Can’t Touch This” video or the tale of the Arabian Nights, were interspersed throughout his fanciful show that featured a green, zig-zagging runway, But it worked: in soothing neutral tones like most of his collection, these pants added to the airy, light atmosphere of the show. While they may not become the most practical or flattering trend, these Hammer pants redefined the bubble at Olympus Fashion Week and were a huge hit with the critics.
Color Wheel
Two themes emerged involving colors for spring. The first emphasized muted earth tones, pastels, bright white and the ubiquitous black. The second splashed loud colors and patterns across the runways, recalling the bold hues of the ’80s. Both trends were a refreshing change from the somber, dark color schemes of the fall, and the width of this spectrum allows for creativity and variation to dominate fashions this spring.
A number of designers reveled in the light yet subdued color tones, such as Sari Gueron, Atil Kutoglu, BCBG Max Azria, Marc Jacobs and Michon Schur. Gueron’s collection, which featured a pair of comfortable and chic Birkenstock sandals, was full of putty and muted mustard as well as black and white. Kutoglu, whose Middle Eastern-inspired looks included touches of shimmering gold and burnt orange, also showed off a range of gray. Flowing, relaxed fabrics, especially chiffon, defined the BCBG collection, and its soft hues of blue, mauve and green complemented the tranquil style. Creamy whites and beige filled Marc Jacobs’ softly layered, light collection, while metallic shades of ecru and beige lent a refined edge to the Michon Schur line.
Throughout many shows, clear, clean white was extremely popular. Phillip Lim’s collection, except for four pieces, was entirely white. The simplicity of this color creates a pure and serene feeling just perfect for spring. Metallic black, which punctuated each show, contrasts beautifully for a striking appearance. Both of these basic colors made a simple yet dramatic impact at Fashion Week.
At the other end of the color wheel were the Baby Phat, Diane von Furstenberg, Betsey Johnson and Anna Sui collections. In each, bold colors and patterns dominated the clothes. Baby Phat showcased bright urban chic, and the DVF collection had oversized patterns, such as a giant ladybug on a stark white shift dress. Anna Sui reinvigorated the ’80s with stripes and patterns layered together with tights and leggings, creating a cacophony of colors, designs and shapes. Peach, purple, green, hot pink, and red and pink polka dots lit up Betsey Johnson’s show. Assertive and fun-filled, these collections exuded a confidence and enjoyment that fashion should never lack.
Who Likes Short Shorts?
Although Olympus Fashion Week displayed plenty of floor-length skirts and dresses, the number of mini skirts and short shorts was overwhelming. On every runway, hemlines remained well above the knee, and waistlines crept up accordingly. Low riders have been banished from current fashions; empire and high belted waists are the dominant trends. At Diesel, the waistlines almost reached the models’ ribs. Grey Ant, Calvin Klein, Jill Stuart, Behnaz Sarafpour and Proenza Schouler are just a few others who emphasized the high hemline. Leggings and tights create a layered feel with the short bottoms, allowing for colors and textures to meld together into a sensuous yet comfortable style.
In the end, Olympus Fashion Week offered the best of the
New York
designers. Shows were infused with uniqueness, vibrancy, emotion and creativity. Spring fashion trends will reflect all these qualities thanks to the fabulous display from
New York
‘s fashion finest.
