NEW YORK FASHION WEEK – FROM RUNWAY TO REAL WORLD

This article was first published on Couturing.com

Mercedes-Benz New York Fashion Week kicked off on September 6 to humidity as high as the fashion itself. Not one to have their parades rained on, the fashion-elite of the city that never sleeps proved the between-show-dash is just important as the catwalk. Couturing recaps 4 of NYFW’s most recurring runway trends, and how they translate to totally wearable street style.

TREND 1 - SPORTS LUXE

Sports luxe is all about embracing the spirit of athleticism with relaxed yet highly modern silhouettes. We saw layers of sports inspired separates featuring sheer details, topped off with structured, boxy outwear at Helmut Lang. Charlotte Ronson’s SS13 show was filled with architectural angles- girly, bodycon shapes offset with sporty mesh textures. Rag & Bone featured luxurious silk crop tops paired with relaxed shorts, biker pants and varsity jackets. Thus far, New York Fashion week has been an explosion of athletic attitude.


Helmut Lang


Helmut Lang


Charlotte Ronson


Rag & Bone


Rag & Bone

It’s important to juxtapose your sporty separates with feminine accessories to avoid looking as though you’re on your way home from the gym. Try a strappy stiletto with loose trousers, or team a wedged sneaker with a girly dress. If the head to toe sports look isn’t for you, ease your way into it with classic cuts in sporty, modern fabrics- meshes and neoprenes are fail safe.











TREND 2 - LEATHER ACCENTS

As far as we’re concerned, leather is always in style, but NYFW is showing us that there’s more to leather than the humble bomber jacket. A little touch of leather can give new life to an otherwise bland outfit. Contrast feminine lace with sultry leather a la Jason Wu with a simple leather bodice peeking out from beneath a silk sheath. Highlight your curves with a Tibi leather waist cincher or peplum. Toughen up an elegant crepe dress with a BCBG MAX AZRIA white or black leather harness.


Jason Wu


Jason Wu


Tibi


Tibi


BCBG MAX AZARIA


BCBG MAX AZARIA

There’s a delicate line between a cheeky leather accent and all-out dominatrix. Keep your outfit looking tasteful by paring leather shorts with a metallic knit, or a leather vest with a simple organic cotton shirt. For a modern take on the old black leather bomber, try an angular shape in crisp white or deep oxblood.









TREND 3 - UTILITARIAN

Utility style is all about military inspired pieces, rather than camo print. The New York Fashion Week runways have been infused with military influence- this season is all about army gear with a twist. We saw thick parkas in light khakis paired with creamy neutrals at Nicholas K, and layers of separates in an army-olive colour palette at Rag & Bone. Utilitarian accessories were teamed with military silhouettes at Altuzarra- drama inducing, gladiator footwear worn with structured capes and gold hardware.


Nicholas K


Nicholas K


Rag & Bone


Altuzarra


Altuzarra

Take a style cue from Nina Garcia by wearing form fitting head to toe khaki, or take baby steps into the utilitarian trend with army green accessories. Team a thick parka with feminine silks in pale pinks and creams for a modern wardrobe update.









TREND 4 - FUTURISTIC

The future is bright. We’ve come to expect bodycon perfection from Herve Leger, and the label’s SS13 show exceeded expectations. The combination of slinky eveningwear and detailed embroidery and embellishment proved truly out-of-this-world. Richard Chai’s collection was a feast for the eyes, featuring digital prints aplenty and modern metallic adornments. Rather than modern prints, Alexander Wang went for a modern silhouette using futuristic fabrics- metallic bomber jackets, a white rubberized twill parka and a daring take on the classic LBD.


Herve Leger


Herve Leger


Richard Chai


Richard Chai


Alexander Wang


Alexander Wang

Futuristic fashion has no boundaries. Pile on the prints and clash as many textures as you can. You don’t have to stick to the bodycon shape either- try a soft chiffon maxi in a modern digital print or some outrageously printed footwear.









All runway images courtesy of lyst.com
All street style images courtesy of The Cut