What to expect during Fashion Week featuring spring 2010 designs

Fashion Week is less than two weeks away.  I was first exposed to the New York Fashion Week craze 7 years ago when I moved to New York from Los Angeles.  Walking into the "tents" was very exciting.  You feel the energy from those who love and live fashion.  It seemed like a fantasy world for me seeing all these couture pieces worn in a real world setting.  Not that Fashion Week at Bryant Park was a reality for a lot of people.  Only those who are the top players and the trend setters in the fashion industries are invited.  But for me being a newcomer in the industry, it certainly was a dream come true.  Carlos Miele was the first show I saw.  I will never forget that moment.  Sitting on the front row amongst the ellete members in fashion.  I have arrived.  The show was full of bellowing gowns, draped satins, and embroidered suits in neutrals and pops of plum and muted teals.  Amazing.  

Now 7 years after that wonderful experience, times have changed with the uncertainty of the financial industry.  This is the last season Fashion Week will be held at Bryant Park.  Next season the shows will be held in The Lincoln Center.  The "tents" at Bryant Park will always be synonymous with New York Fashion Week for me and for many others who are in the industry.  Even now, less than 2 weeks away till the show's, the tents have yet to be assembled.  It just seems as if the excitement of the arrival of Fashion Week is diminishing.  It will certainly be a bitter sweet season for me but I must say, the Lincoln Center is not a bad replacement.  The Lincoln Center is a world renowned opera, ballet, and concert venue with it's classic architecture.  A fitting location to showcase fashion as a wearable art.  In the meantime, I am anticipating in seeing the next season's collection at Bryant Park for the last time.

As for the upcoming seasons trend, I predict it will be soft, layered with a strong 20s silhouette.  Dropped waist and layered ruffles with lace and chiffon will once again dominate the runways.  We started to see some fringe details and tassels last spring so I think this will be one of the detail that will be revisited.  And on the other side of the spectrum, I think the 80s and rocker trend will continue to carry over along with a much brighter color palette.  Strong shoulders are here to stay but I am interested in seeing how the designers will revise it for a spring collection.  Maybe instead of covering the shoulders they will expose them.  

For the accessories, I think big and chunky is still the way to go.  Big chunky necklace with metals contrasted by softer elements like lace, or silk will prevail.  Think Oscar de la Renta, Vera Wang, Marni, and Lanvin.  Ranjana Khan sums it all up for me.  I love the mix of metal chains wrapped in lace and layered with pearls and stones in different lengths.  I hope to see other designers follow suit. 

I do hope to see all the designers really push the envelope this season.  I know that times are hard and the retail industry is slowing down dramatically but it is up to them to get the consumers to shop.  Now is the time for investment shoppers and I think going back to basics is not the way.  Give them those specialty pieces that they cant live without.