Never is the term “the fashion world” quite as applicable as during the brief but busy few days when thousands of style icons pack into Lincoln Park for the biannual, world-renowned fashion event that is New York Fashion Week. These savvy sartorialists are living in their own couture-clad, perfectly accessorized world that fast-forwards to a season six months in the future. Last Thursday concluded NY Fashion Week Spring 2013, which showcased designers’ collections and look books for next year’s spring trends. From September 6-13, models clad in bright, sunny hues perfectly complemented by complex manicures and hair streaks strutted down the runway, providing the public with warm visions of what is to come after we make it through winter.
Bright colors were dominant once again; however, there was less color blocking and more focus on pairing one standout hue against a dark contrasting color. Metallics were very popular, showing up in the pale, soft silhouettes at Suno as well as in the futuristic cut-out looks at Alexander Wang. Leather is still having its moment, but thanks to new design technology, it can be turned it almost anything from the punky, warrior-inspired Jason Wu shift dress to the supple light blue and cream jackets featured at Rebecca Taylor. Bollywood and Moroccan influences were sprinkled throughout the shows and were especially present in Altuzarra’s creative scarf and skirt separate ensembles. The polka dot that was so popular for fall has been unavoidably replaced by stripes. No more worrying about a precise formula of the correct way to wear them—the spring runway proved that they can pretty much be put together in every way imaginable. Horizontal next to vertical, chevron, sideways, crisscrossed, and sometimes all of those together are acceptable. Wet hair and wild nails were among the beauty staples, allowing for a mix of out-the-door ease and youthful fun.
Even though we are just now beginning to feel the beginnings of a Philadelphia fall, some of the spring Fashion Week trends have started to trickle down to Penn’s street style. In many ways, the spring collections seemed to cater to a population of woman craving easy, ready-to-wear looks (see: college girls). Some of the fashionistas here on campus have already taken notice of the spring trends’ accessibility.
Senior Josy Blair wore a sweater in a bright neon yellow hue similar to one from the Michael Kors show. Paired with jeans and low-key accessories, it was an appropriate look for walking to class.
Josy Blair ’13
Both sophomore Mary Heida and freshman Ambria Reid show that a bold, Moroccan-inspired print can take a simple day dress to the next level. Freshmen Ashley Leung and Christina Liu rocked striped looks similar to ones found at Michael Kors and Marc Jacobs.
Mary Heida ’15 Christina Liu ’16
Ambria Reid ’16 (left), Ashley Leung ’16 (right)
BCBG showcased a trend of dark peekaboo lace mixed in some leather accents. For going out on the town, freshman Sophie Prach opted for sheer exposure in just one place when choosing her black fringe and lace romper.
Sophie Prach ’16
Senior Jazmyne Garvin-Archer was on trend with her neon accessories and head-wrap, a hair accessory that grounded the Marc by Marc Jacobs show. Sophomore Angela Huang mixed masculine and feminine styles when she paired a denim button-up and desert boots with a white pleated skirt. This “trendy tomboy” style was found in both the collections of Rebecca Minkoff and Rag & Bone.
Jazmyne Garvin-Archer ’13 Angela Huang ’15
To start interpreting the spring 2013 trends from New York Fashion Week yourself, look no further than the number of women’s apparel stores right here in University City. American Apparel has a whole section dedicated to denim and lace looks, as well as a large selection of twisted headscarves for only $14. Ann Taylor has a buy one, get one 50% off sale going for most tops, including this sheer, bright pink printed blouse that’s $59.50. Urban Outfitters also allows you to dip your toes into the Bollywood pattern with their printed leggings, recently reduced from $49 to $39. If you want to try bright hair streaks, Urban also offers a “hair makeup” color compact for $14, as well as brush-in, wash-out hair color for only $5.