September is the most exciting time in the fashion world. It is September, and not January, that begins a new year. September is the when the holy grail of all fashion bibles, the September issue of Vogue, comes crashing down on every fashionable persons’ doorstep, or grocery store checkout. September is when the pretty people descend on the streets of first New York, then jet off to London, Milan and Paris for Fashion Week. September is the time of year when the weather is the perfect temperature for the perfect outfit. The blending of your favourite summer pieces that you aren’t just yet ready to put away, and integrating your new fall purchases. The fashion industry does this better then anyone, and this is why the Spring fashion shows aren’t the only thing that makes Fashion Week’s in September so exciting, the Street Style has become almost as crucial a part of Fashion Week as the shows.

But I digress; let’s start with New York. Many of the shows in New York saw a few themes, the resurgent of the skirts, a focus on the waist with many designers pulling the waist down, a-la 20’s flapper style, a 60’s mod theme, as well as athletic chic. Yet with all of these themes, on thing stood out among all the shows; the past trend of colour is here to stay!

Zac Posen

Zac Posen is definitely feeling the corset look with a lower waist; a red strapless knee length dress is my favourite from the show.

Alexander Wang is consistently downtown cool, and is clearly feeling the athletic chic, yet mixing mesh and other fabrics into his designs.

Alice & Olivia

Alice & Olivia had many super cute, bright and 60’s style clothing, though with this trend, it is best to mix and match with other items. Marc Jacobs, a favourite of mine, showed a varying mix of dropped waisted items, denim and sporty items. I also have to mention JCrew, for the first time, JCrew showed at New York Fashion week, it was a great collection of bright pieces, amazing striped shirts (I love a striped shirt almost as much as my sister’s Scottish Terrier Mr. B!), and longer skirts. The fashion crowd is definitely in a love affair with the Crew that doesn’t seem to have an end in sight! Jason Wu showed another strong collection, maintaining his pretty and proper style, which is bang on right now.

Marc Jacobs

After a whirlwind of great shows in New York, and a great Fashion’s Night Out in New York, it is off to London. The standout shows in London would have to be a favourite of mine, Jonathan Saunders and Burberry. Saunders is spot on lately, amazing prints, bright colours and incredible dresses and skirts with an early 60’s housewife, Betty Draper anybody, style. I was in love with the whole thing! Burberry showed amazing outwear, like always, but also showed great clothing with amazing detail and craftsmanship. Christopher Bailey took themes of handcrafts and added it to the signature Burberry look. It was a smash hit among the crowd.

Jonathan Saunders

What do you need to know about Milan? The only thing you need to know is Prada. The Prada show brought back something that can often be considered a dirty word among women in the fashion world, sweetness. But that is exactly what the Prada show was all about. Women looking pretty, sweet and lady like, yet with a mix of leather thrown in for good measure. A huge, huge hit, and considering how much influence Miuccia has over the fashion world, I think this will be a trend we see quite a bit of from other designers in the seasons to come.  Milan saw plenty of colour, a similar 20’s theme and of course a special attention to body conscious skirts and dresses. Versace showed a great collection with many sea-worthy pieces.

Fashion Week, regardless of the city, is all about having a good time, seeing great shows and spotting your favourite street style look. For the best coverage of all of the Spring 2012 Ready-to-Wear collections, get yourself over to www.style.com and www.vogue.com for up-to-date reviews, complete collection shots and everything else fashion.

Burberry

 

Prada