Crystal Dizon

CARNABY STREET... One of the world's most renowned shopping areas defines a common trend for this coming fall season. London's Carnaby Street is famous for its designer boutiques that flourished in the 1960s. This category identifies with sharply tailored garments, breeches, tights, and argyle sweater vests. This English "paper boy" look was most dominant in the Brooksfield fashion show, but carried on as a common theme for the coming season. Breeches and shorts over tights dominated heavily in this trend instead of denim. The sophisticated color palette contained darker greys, navy blue, and touches of brown. Argyle was the most common print in the Carnaby Street look and present mostly in socks and sweaters. Very few embellishments were necessary for this look, as there was a greater emphasis on garment details like intricate buttions and sharply tailored silhouettes as seen in several double breasted jackets.

ENGLISH GARDEN: This theme combines elements of an English tea party with a Victorian twist. The color palette is soft and girly, but still sophisticated. Dusted pink, heather grey, light cream, and touches of periwinkle are most common among this category. The silhouette is elegant, but still cute and comfortable, as the waistline is relaxed, but not quite dropped. Victorian elements like the leg o' mutton sleeve, elegant rose prints, ruffles, and rosettes were heavily present. The ruffles were often a form of embellishment, appearing as self-trim at the waistlines and necklines. Gathering was common in the bodice, especially in the lighter weight knits. Fur trim, ribbons, and bows were especially common in this trend. These embellishments communicated a young elegance, which is characteristic of a little girl's tea party.

GLITZY GIRLS: The "glitzy girl" theme was common throughout the trade show and seen especially in Miss Grant and Miss Blumarine fashion shows. This group is defined by metallics and flashy colors. Gold and silver dominate the group and bright pinks, cream, and various greys are common in this theme. The silhouette continues to be top heavy with the layering of tops and jackets. Mainly skirts with tights and boots were worn on the lower body. As far as embellishments are concerned, paillettes and sequins were a very popular detail. Ribbons and ruffles carried through in this category as well. Accessories that were important to the layering trend included muffs, stoles, scarves, and hoods. Metallic boots and fur trim and the continuation of accessories were a huge part in this trend. A material girl vibe is conveyed in this theme with flashy colors and the repeated use of metallics.

ROCK SHOW: Some designers included groups with a bit more edge. The color palette in the trend is a bit bolder, with bright pinks and reds, a lot of black, and touches of dark greys. Horizontal stripes, patent leather, and layers of organza and tulle were frequent elements in this theme. Punk rock princess meets goth girl in this trend with confident colors and a variety of heavy textures. Head-to-toe black was common, but is varied with the eclectic use of textures including patent leather, velvet, fur, layers of organza, ruffles, and gathering. Again, layering is key to the rock show theme with accessories like tights, hoods, scarves, and boots.