Who will be a relevant contemporary designer for the future?

Alexander Wang
Wang may be relatively new to the fashion spotlight but I believe his innovation and freshness will be seen for years to come.  He is a visionary.  His designs are very contemporary and chic but also very original and often break the mold. 

Spring 2009

Spring 2011

2011 shoe collection (reminiscent of the off the wall designs of Alexander McQueen)

Street Trends & High Fashion

So, the question of the week is whether there is a connection between street trends and the high fashion runways.  Well the answer is, YES!  Throughout the years street trends have been a huge influence on high fashion runways.  Ultimately a designer wants to see their clothes on people, what better way to do that then get ideas from the streets and what society is creating.  There are eight trends that I would like to focus on and show how the runways have recreated these street trends.  Without  individual style one would not have art.  So here's to all those creative people in the world making their mark with fashion.

Zoot Suits

The Zoot Suit became popularized by Latin, Italian and African Americans in the late 30's-early 40's and consisted of high-waisted pants with wide legs and a long blazer with wide lapels and wide shoulders. 

Celine Dion's take on the Zoot Suit for the Academy Awards.

Teddy Boys

Teddy Boys began in London in and quickly spread to the United States through young men who loved rock and roll.  It began in the 50's and was taken from the old fashioned Edwardian style. 

Paul Smith 2011 Spring Collection.

Beatniks

In the 50's and early 60's a subculture emerged that were quickly named Beatniks by the media.  It consisted of the anti-conformist youth generation that were prominent in New York at the time. 

J. Crew Spring 2010

Mods

1960's British youth subculture. Females wore androgynous haircuts, little makeup and very short skirts.  Go-Go boots were also popular at this time. Twiggy was the "it" girl in British fashion representing the Mod subculture. 

Stella McCartney Spring 2010

Hippies

I think the hippie street trend is one of the most recognizable to date.  Beginning in the 1960's and revolving around psychadelic rock and sexual revolution,  the trend has re-surfaced over the years and it seems hippie chic will never truly go out of style.

Vivienne Tam Spring 2009

Disco

Fashions of the late 70's disco era continue to influence our society.  Studio 54 was the hot spot during that time and was a platform for fashion, celebrities and music.  Platforms and "clubbin" clothes were wildly popular at this time. 

Badgley Mischka Spring 2011

Punk

The punk movement rose in the late 70's early 80's as a rebuttal to the materialistic excess in society. It was a way to "stick it to the man".  Clothing was very distressed and torn at times, mohawks and colored hair was also popularized at this time. 

Vivienne Westwood 2009

Hip-Hop

Hip-Hop fashions emerged out of the Bronx in the late 70's-early 80's from disc jockeys and club goers.  It really grew in popularity during the "break dancing" era and has continued to grow into mainstream and on the runways. Pictured is LL Cool J in the 1980's

Sean John Collection 2010

Now what street trends are currently making their mark on the runway?

The babydoll/Lolita look has become wildly popular on the runways.  I believe it started with the Harajuku Girls of Japan and has only blossomed from there. 

 

 I have also seen a trend of girls who are mixing high fashion with more of a bohemian look in which I have labeled as "Bohemian Glamour Girls".  Such television shows as Gossip Girl have really driven the middle class female towards high fashion like never before and being able to mix pieces has created a whole new trend.  

Gossip Girl meets Prada meets Target

Society has become so aware of designer names and Gossip Girl has really made fashion another character on its show.  There are many websites now that cater to those women who want to 'dress like the stars' that they have created less expensive replicas of designer styles.  Some may call them knockoffs but one must remember that you don't have to spend a fortune to look like a million bucks.

Non-Western Influences in Fashion

I feel that the Grecian inspired draping and gathering designs that have appeared on many runways over the past few years are continuing to be a very relevant trend in western fashion.  It is very feminine in a time wear women want to be beautiful but also effortless. 

Most recently in last years summer hit Sex and the City 2, we saw a lot of Grecian gowns on all four of the leading ladies. Also, one shoulder dresses have really been a hit over the past few seasons. 

Versace Spring 2011

Grecian gown Spring/Summer 2010

Ossie Clark Spring 2009

Celebrities in Greek gown inspirations

What's hot on the streets??

Street trends and high fashion have seemed to go hand in hand.  One gets inspiration from the other creating amazing new styles.  Currently I am noticing a lot of different street trends featured in Spring 2011 collections.

For instance, blazers.  They started to regain popularity over the past two seasons or so but they are really going strong for spring.  You can get them in so many different fabrics and colors.  There are trendy military looks or softer, lace, feminine pieces.

Also leggings have really gone mainstream again.  I remember when my mom would wear leggings while I was growing up, even leggings with stirrups, and I always thought they were ugly and now I find myself buying them in many different colors and fabrics.  They can be dressed up and dressed down and are seen just about everywhere.

And finally thigh high boots, my fav!  At some point they were thought to be a little trashy, but in todays trends it is super sexy.  There is such a variety of choices with them also.  You can get flats, or sky high, leather or suede and multiple colors and embellishments to choose from. 

Put all of these street trends together and you can create a very chic look, ala Kim Kardashian!

Ah, the 1970's.

From disco, to hippies, to Saturday Night Fever. 
We all know and recognize 70's fashion. 

The trends and styles have come back into fashion in different ways throughout the years, but to me the biggest contribution to fashion that came out of the 70's was that of the designer Halston.

Halston began his career in the 50's but gained immense popularity in the 70's when he designed and shmoozed with the stars in none other than Studio 54. He created body forming garmets using the bias cut technique, with little use for closures or embellishments. 

Today his designs can be seen on the red carpet on such celebrities as Jennifer Aniston and Sarah Jessica Parker and are just as stunning as they were in the 70's. 

Here are some images of gowns from the 70's and today. 

 

The Geneology of Heels

Heels, as we know them today, come in many forms.  You can get a chunky heel, stiletto heel, a classic pump, strappy, peep toe, open toe, pointed toe or round and varying heights (although sky high heels seem to be the trend currently).

Let us take a look back starting in the present and going back to the 50's to see how heels have evolved.

2010
Alexander McQueen ten inch heels.

The 90's - This is when the chunky heel was wildly popular.  You can actually start to see a bit of a comeback of this style now.

Example: daniblack strappy sandal

The 80's - In the 80's the classic power pump was the heel of choice.  With a mid height heel, closed, slightly rounded toe and a huge selection of colors to choose from.

Example: Charles Jourdan beige leather pumps.

The 70's - The classic platform as we know it today.  Sky high and often in other textiles such as cork or pvc.

Example: Vintage platforms, unknown designer.

The 60's - Pre-platform we had metallic heels at a mid and low heel height.


Example: Silver metallic buckle platform heels, After Five by Sophia.

The 50's - The basic pumps with a low to mid heel length was popular at this time.  Mostly closed toe with bow detailing.

Example: Babydoll heels with studded bow, designer unknown. 

Hot Trend Alert: Military Style

Maybe it's due to the media attention on our military and their efforts in the war or maybe it's because of the heavily structured looks that we are seeing this year, but military style is being seen in high fashion and even places like Target or local stores.  Jackets, shirts, and plenty of embellishments are just a few things you will see on these clothes.  Here are a few examples:

John Galliano


Marc Jacobs




Balmain

The single most influential item of 1950's fashion...

... the pencil skirt!
Yes, you heard it right. The pencil skirt was introduced in the 1950's and has survived to be a staple piece in any woman's wardrobe.  The straight style but sophisticated look can be paired with heels or flats, a crisp white shirt or a sassy one shouldered top.  In basic jersey, cotton, or tweed and in many different colors, the pencil skirt will never go out of fashion.