10-11-28 6:04 PMTop trends to fall for

Page 1 of 2http://www.khaleejtimes.com/DisplayArticleNew.asp?section=weekend&xfile=data/weekend/2009/august/weekend_august30.xml

NEWS Nation Region International Business Sports Gold/Forex Letters Editorial Opinion Features Live Weather Diversions

QUICKACCESS

HOME E-PAPER CITY TIMES INDULGE WKND APPOINTMENT CLASSIFIED TRAVEL MOBILE SUBSCRIBE USED CARS

HOROSCOPEKhaleej Times Online >> wknd

Print this story Send to a friend ShareThis

Top trends to fall for(Fashion Feature)

14 August 2009

A lighter approach to life through fashion appears to dominate the catwalk in New York this season. Laura Gatsosinvestigates

For fashion lovers, the fall season is akin to the New Year. The promise ofnew sartorial choices excite the style-conscious and set the tone for the comingyear, prompting us to rethink and refresh our wardrobes. While the economyremained the topic of conversation in the front rows of the fashion capitals,designers made a marked attempt to brighten our spirits and promote a lighterapproach to life through fashion. While the top designers lead the way, manyhigh street stores such as Zara, Mango, Topshop, New Look and Forever 21interpret the fall trends in a wearable and affordable way.

DRAMATIC DRAPING: A Stella McCartney creation (left)TO HAVE AND TO HOLD: Balenciaga Ready-to-Wear A/W 2009 (right)

1. Shouldering the Weight of the WorldLast season’s trend of jackets and shirts with pronounced, often sharp or boxyshoulders continues into the new season. The motorcycle jacket was seen on the runways from designerssuch as Balmain, Rodarte, Haider Ackerman and Roland Mouret. Available in a range of materials fromleather to wool and adorned with zippers, buckles and studs, the jacket is a worthwhile, albeit playful,investment that will last a lifetime. Teamed with skinny jeans, leather razor thin pants or worn over dresses,the jacket is a staple for Fall 09.

2. The Bedroom Hitsthe Street

Moulded, corseted dresses and shirts at Bottega Veneta, Richard Nicholl and Dolce and Gabbana; dressesthat bring robes to mind at Balenciaga; lace detailing at D&G; and bras-cum-shirts at Louis Vuitton andGivenchy signal a return to the sexy aesthetic so prominent in the 80s. Bras in bright block colours such asneon green, hot pink and bright blue are meant to be seen under suiting, sheer tops and peeking out fromdresses as seen at Roberto Cavalli and Givenchy.

3. The Fab 40sA harkening back to the movie stars of the 40s brings glamour into the 21st century. Feminine, fittedsuiting seen in a hot pink jacquard version at Dolce and Gabbana, separates done in plush red and blackvelvet — Aquilano Rimondi’s three-quarter length trench is a must-have — and an impressive fire engine-red floor length, body-hugging, jersey gown that formed a small pool of fabric around the feet from VictoriaBeckham all signaled a time when women loved to dress up. Richly hued fur stoles ramped up theglamour quotient and added a touch of warmth to the looks. A long floral jade green dress topped off witha cap of the same material was a showstopper at model turned designer L’Wren Scott’s show.

4. Fine FursThe security must have been extra tight at the fall fashion shows as PETA’s animal advocate protesterscouldn’t stop the parade of furs dominating the runways from New York to Paris. Plush fox jackets andstoles in deep plum and mahogany, dress and shirt sleeves in decadent black kohl and bomber jackets ina midnight blue were seen at Lanvin, Jenni Kayne and Sonia Rykiel.

5. Ageless 80sIt seems that every season there is an element of the 80s that makes its way onto the runways, and fall 09is no different. Pucci paired their signature print jersey blouse with another fall staple — leather skinnypants. Gucci showed a sequined tux jacket atop slim dress pants and Marc Jacobs dressed his models inpleated, light blue jeans and a bold shouldered metallic jacket with darts and pleats. Thakoon wowed thecrowd with his black sequined one-shoulder dress featuring an over-the-top black organza bow on theshoulder.

6. Dramatic Draping

MOST POPULAR STORIES

Cruise Control

Listen to the mice roar... it has a lesson for us!

Stuxnet: A new weapon for cyber insurgents?

Jebel Ali Bus Depot to open next Feb

School exam schedule

OTHER STORIES Homing in

Sizzling Soundtracks

Deconstructing Chetan Bhagat

All dolled up

Diamond motors

Style guru

+ MORE STORIES

Syed Manish Ali Yasir Aswin

Seema Zia Nafsal Abdelilah Salam

Khaleej Times

13,819 people like Khaleej Times

Like

Khaleej Times on Facebook

MOST READ MUST READ MUST WATCH

Copycats

SPECIAL REPORT

The future of energy

Active listening matters

10-11-28 6:04 PMTop trends to fall for

Page 2 of 2http://www.khaleejtimes.com/DisplayArticleNew.asp?section=weekend&xfile=data/weekend/2009/august/weekend_august30.xml

It would be nice to think that designers are taking a cue from their Middle Eastern counterparts when itcomes to the draping seen on many runways this season. Saudi-born designer Mohammed Ashi showed arange of skirts and dresses done in luxurious fabrics draped and gathered to complement the female form.Gathered heavy silk skirts at Lanvin and Balenciaga and floor length gowns at RM by Roland Mouret andDonna Karan lend romanticism to the pieces while lengthening the body.

7. Classic CoatsLong or short, belted or A-line, coats were a focal point of designer collections for fall 09. A trueinvestment piece, the coat is both functional and can finish off an outfit or act as the stand-out piece of anotherwise subdued ensemble. Favourites include Andrew Gn’s belted black fox fur bomber jacket,Francesco Scognamiglio’s twisted shoulder take on the classic camel coat, and Bottega Veneta’s creamwrap around belted lamb’s wool coat.

8. Biker ChicksBe it skirts, shorts, dresses or jackets, leather is where it’s at for fall. Pants slashed Edward Scissorhands-style were seen at Rad Hourani. Barbara Bui, Blumarine, Gareth Pugh, Gucci and Jean Paul Gaulthier allshowed leather separates that will take the wearer from the back of a motorcycle to the centre of thedance floor.

9. To Have and To HoldQuirky, over-the-top accessories ruled the runways this fall. Thigh-high boots (the best include Rodarteand Stella McCartney), sky-high heels adorned with bows (John Galliano and Christian Dior), oversizedhandbags and weighty hardware necklaces (Lanvin and Donna Karan) are must-haves that will bring yourwardrobe into the new fashion year.

10. A Leg UpWhether they be opaque or elaborately cut out, stockings are an accessory not to go without this fall andwinter. Offered in a variety of prints and styles, stockings can add a little flair or simply offer a little warmth.A wide range is on offer from most designers, but the preferred come from Missoni, DKNY, Fogal ofSwitzerland and Wolford.

Print this story Send to a friend ShareThis

Khaleej Times Services Subscribe Mobile RSS E-Paper

Nation Region International Business Sports Gold/Forex Letters Live Weather NRI Problems

About us Write to us Careers Advertise with us Privacy Policy Site Map

© 2010 Khaleej Times, All rights reserved