FALL FASHION WEEK 2013 AROUND THE WORLD
By: Hope Wilkos, Writer/Blogger Photographer: George Whylie Videographer: Maxine Nolan
Following fashion can be thrilling, thought provoking and sometimes even exhausting. From the time that January flies by, we gracefully saunter into a couple of months of non-stop fashion weeks, back to back.
Everyone is familiar with New York Fashion Week and Mercedes-Benz Fashion Week Both equally bring out the best designers in addition to fresh new talent. New York is abuzz with trends that keep the fashion world on their toes.
As February got well underway this year, it was time to pack up to leave New York and head to London Fashion Week for a whole different set of designers showing their designs for Fall 2013. The British Fashion Council is always proud to highlight the creations that have brought pizazz and beauty to their city of exploration. Fall 2013 brought lots of glitter, neon colors of futuristic appeal, oversized fur coats with leather lapels, metallic gold leather pencil skirts, bold prints, sheer paneling and patterns on timeless textures.
Some of the designers with runway appeal were Thomas Tait, Moschino, L’Wren Scott, Simone Rocha, Erdem, and of course, a designer that needs no introduction to the modern-day woman, Tom Ford.
Leaving London behind, the next stop on the fashion train was Milan Fashion Week Fall 2013 and designers such as Gucci went into the wild with fluffy feathers, embroidery of overblown leaves on skirt suits, pantsuits and dresses. There was shine and luster to gowns that were the spotlight of the runway. Silk column gowns had translucent cutouts and birds with wings set in motion adorned the fabrics.
Then there was Fendi with plenty of fur and and bold colors of hot pink and orange. From the looks on the runway, I would say that we are in for a pretty chilly fall so it will be time to bundle up in luxury. Sharp silhouettes shaped the pieces.
Prada touched on grunge with dresses layered over unbuttoned cardigans, cinched waist tops and matching skirts, chocolate croc skirt suits and mink furs.
Blumarine and Anna Molinari returned to romance which means soft pastels, shawls contrasted with black leather and sequined minis. Etro gave us wild patterns and even brighter colors of the rainbow for a most enchanting collection. Tailored suits were important and color-blocking played a significant role in this collection. Then we have the gifted designers of Giorgio Armani, Dolce & Gabbana and Salvatore Ferragamo making their mark on the fashion world in opulent ways with black velvet along with beading and lace, clothing infused with glamour, mosaic prints, coats of leather and yes, once again, the little black dress.
It doesn’t stop there. From Milan, it was on to Paris Fashion Week and the city of romance , culture and enticing collections. Guy LaRoche was edgy yet glamorous, from leather to sequins and lace and outerwear with exaggerated details but surely warmly functional. Rochas gave us oversized sweaters, swing skirts and even a fur cape coat. Balmain brought to the runway squared off shoulders and elaborate opulence was part of the picture with diamond prints and gorgeous emerald green lame’ jumpsuits.
But what would Paris Fashion Week be without the grand Christian Dior? Florals fixated on fabrics of silk and satin elegance, sheer delight in black and white, draped skirts and ruffled hems, these are what fashions are made of. Saint Laurent gave us plaid flannel, slashed leather leggings, a mixture of floral jumpers, fur frocks and animal print coats and then the little black dress for every woman that can’t live without it. Karl Lagerfeld and Chanel drew a celebrity crowd with Jessica Chastain, Vanessa Paradis and Milla Jovovich. He gave us pleated minis and leather jackets with enlarged collars all with the backdrop of the huge globe in magical surroundings. Shiny patent boots paired with appliqued dresses and long leather gloves greets fall with a frenzy. Wool was just as important as silk and beauty was disguised in the silhouette.
The grandeur of Paris Fashion Week was held by the Fall 2013 Collection of the House of Alexander McQueen as designed by Sarah Burton. Models with caged faces took to the runway in magnificent hoop skirts with cinched corseted waists and puff sleeves. Gowns were lavish and white and silver studded boots made the performance even more of a production. Feathers and frocks mix showgirl and queen all into a wardrobe that you would hardly see on the street but rather in a divine castle for the chic at heart.
Paris Fashion Week ended on a high note with Louis Vuitton and Miu Miu. Marc Jacobs who designs for Louis Vuitton gave us pleasure and passion with slip dresses edged in lace along with pajama pantsuits taking comfort from the bedroom to the street. Supermodel Kate Moss surprised the audience as part of the show and Marc took his bow in silk pajamas to stick with the theme.
Miuccia Prada of Miu Miu took us into the imaginary world of make-believe with plenty of polka dots, silk neckerchiefs, stripes, big buttons and oversized bags. Suits are the staple in this collection.
From Paris it takes up right up to the present and LA Fashion Week with an array of decadent designers, venues and experiences to surround you and going on right now in the famous city of stardom from March 6th through the 17th. More to come on this fashion week towards the end of the week.
But it just doesn’t stop here. Mercedes-Benz Fashion Week Istanbul began today and continues through March 16th. Mercedes-Benz Fashion Week Tokyo takes place from March 17th through the 23rd , World MasterCard Fashion Week goes from March 18th through the 22nd in chilly Toronto, Canada and then the month is rounded out with Lakme’ Fashion Week in Mumbai, India from March 22nd through the 26th and Mercedes-Benz Fashion Week Russia in Moscow from March 29th through April 2nd.
If you thought that you could rest up in April, think again. Mercedes-Benz Fashion Week Australia gets underway in Sydney from April 8th through the 12th.
It’s time to catch up on all the Fall 2013 fashions and pick out your favorites in anticipation of the season because ,before you know it, it will be time to do it all over again with Spring 2014 beginning in September.
PHOTO CREDITS: Getty Images
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