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Experts share hottest trends from New York Fashion Week
NEW YORK — Beyond the glitz, glamour and endless excitement that kicks off every fashion season, the main reason I love New York Fashion Week is that it inspires and reminds us to embrace our personal style.
So in that spirit, I want to bring in some fresh new perspectives to round up the most important trends some experts have spotted at the shows. I selected two of Bos-
ton’s Best: on beauty trends, master stylist and former Best of Boston winner Gary Croteau, artistic director of Grettacole Salon Back Bay; and on fashion, Leigha Gardner (aka @thelilacpress), fashion/ lifestyle influencer. Here they share all the best trends and ideas they’ve seen, from street style to the front row.
Leigha Gardner
Big, cozy, colorful coats. “In the street-style arena, I saw them inside at the shows and outside on the sidewalks. And lots of beanies and fun hats, too.”
On the street, snakeskin. “It was everywhere, especially on boots. Any piece — from shoes and boots to handbags and coats — can really elevate and make a look a bit more funky/fashion-forward without being too over-thetop.” (Meaning they work for the everyday.)
Chunky trainer sneakers. “They’re really popular on show-goers right now. And I love the bold-but-casual statement they make.”
On the runway, animal
prints. “There was just lots and lots of leopard and animal print (seriously, designers went all in for the trend). Leopard has been around for the last few seasons, but we’re seeing more and more of it now. In fact, prints of all kinds were everywhere — including lots of plaid!
One of my favorites on the
runway: Adeam. “It was one of my favorite shows. Especially the monochromatic takes there — looks in all blue, all red and so on.”
Gary Croteau
Tone on tone. “Several designers sent this look down the runways this season. Designers like Brandon Maxwell and Tom Ford showed head-to-toe looks in a single color, but each piece in that look had a slightly different tone of that color. This worked whether it was a subtle palette of neutrals or bold shades of crimson or pink. Hair for next season will embrace a similar approach. I’ll be using several different tones of a similar color to create hair colors that may look monochromatic from far away, but very dynamic upon closer inspection. Think mixing strands of warm golden browns, chestnut browns and ash browns all on the same head. Golden blond shades can mix harmoniously with cool ash blond and platinum shades to create a beautifully complex blond.”
Satin. “Everywhere I looked I saw luxurious satin being used in unconventional ways to create unconventional silhouettes. Sharp tailoring with this traditionally soft fabric created a fresh juxtaposition of hard and soft. Sally LaPointe, Collina Strada, and Tom Ford all embodied this trend. Hair next season will be no different. The matte-textured, undone beach waves of the past will be replaced with much more satiny looks. Think ultrahealthy looking polished hair, but not slick or greasy.”
Metallic silver. “It ruled the runways, but other metallic shades ranging from gold to bronze also had a strong presence. Silhouettes ranged from sleek minimal modernist to padded-shoulder spacesuit looks by Christian Siriano. Metallic shades of hair color will also dominate next winter. Shades of icy platinum and cool silver will rule, but softer golden and copper shades will also have their place.”
Sculptural necklines. “They were everywhere — asymmetrical, twisted, high or low, many designers decided to focus on necklines. There are two trends that occur when necklines take a front seat in fashion: Long, flowing tresses get tied up or cut off. Gone are the long extension-filled flowing hairstyles of the ‘Real Housewives of Wherever,’ and in are the newer crop cuts of the future. Some will be blunt and sleek, while others will be more textured, but all bobs will seem right next winter. For the women who don’t dare to cut their hair, pulling it back or up in ponytails or chignons will no longer be just for the gym. Either way, getting the hair off your shoulders is how you want to show off these gorgeous new necklines.”