A curious thing happened on the way to fall 2008 fashion week:  seasonal guidelines suddenly ceased to apply to the art of fashion design. As an Los Angeles native, I can understand the need for lightweight and feminine winter clothes; in our barely-wintery climate, dark and heavy coats, scarves, and boots will simply not work.  But why would so many New York designers be ignoring the usual winter staples in favor of pale, flowery offerings?  Perhaps it’s the effects of global warming, or perhaps it’s just an unwillingness to let go of the particularly girlish clothes that we gushed over in the Spring.  Whatever the case, I know multitudes of west coast girls who will not be complaining.

Jason Wu’s show was the most off-season of the past few days’ crop.  Between sweet satin bows; flowing lightweight gowns; lovely florals; and a palette of coral, blue, and white; this might have made for a good spring showing.  It is the fact that he chose to show these clothes in the fall, however, that elevates the collection from simply ‘good’ to rather revolutionary.

 

Erin Fetherston (top and below) also baffled, although to a lesser degree.  Flowing bohemian gowns dominated this runway too - many in sheer florals or bright whites.  While some looks worked in a more fall-appropriate color scheme, they still featured Fetherston’s signature whimsy - short hemlines and flowers were, as usual, major motifs.

 Get the Spring-meets-Fall look with Nanette Lepore’s floral dress or Rebecca Taylor’s airy chiffon tunic.

 

Posted on February 2nd, 2008 by ashley