80's Crop Top

The crop top has had some bad connotations for a while now. In the 80's we saw it worn with tacky workout gear while in the 90's we saw it styled in a slutty fashion with low waisted jeans and belly-button rings. Well, all it takes for a return is a long absence from the scene and a change of context. Paired with a high-waisted skirt or jeans, the crop-top takes on a whole new image with just the right balance of playfulness and sexiness. The skin at the waist is in my opinion, severely underrated in terms of its alluring quality. A little sliver of skin creates a whole new and fresh dynamic. And damnnn, it's time for a new sillhouette! I'm quite tired of long, flowy, "baby-doll" tops (blehhhh). So crop it up!

From Top:
Christopher Kane Spring'08
thecobrasnake.com
stockholmstreetstyle.feber.se

Josefina Lar

Born in Sweden but based in London, Josefina Lar combines traditional concepts with avant-garde details. She manages to perfectly achieve that thin line between wearability and conceptuality. Thus far, stocklists are limited to Sweden, the UK and Japan but hopefully soon she'll be making her way across the pond.

Bird Boy & WolfMother

I find these illustrations of half-animal half-human quite intriguing. Especially when rendered upon beautiful photographs. You can find hand illustrated bags by the artist, Robin Mapes, here.

NYFWS09 Trends cont...

6. Deconstructed Panels
• Multiple strips of fabric hung off the body giving a deconstructed look to layered panels and showing strips of skin in a seductive way.
(Malo, Jeremy Laing, Rodarte, Malo)







7. Ruffles
• Ruffles in all forms, shapes and sizes were all over the catwalk. Especially done in chiffons and silks.
(Alexandre Herchcovitch, 3.1 Philip Lim, Richard Chai, Richard Chai)









8. Sculptural Forms
• Form played an important role this season giving way to geometric shapes and plays on proportion. Designs were boxy, structured and refined to the max. The broad 80’s shoulder also appeared a few times, nudging its way back on the scene.
(Calvin Klein, Calvin Klein, Proenza Schouler, Phi)








9. Embellishment
• Using sequins, jewels, crystals and shine, designers embellished in many different ways, continuing to embrace this trend.
(Brian Reyes, Malo, Thakoon, Proenza Schouler)






10. Color-Block
• The color palette for spring was all over the map this season. From pastels to jewel tones, designers experimented combining pieces of different hue, saturation and brightness.
(Jonathan Saunders, Julian Louie, Marc Jacobs, Alexander Wang)

New York Fashion Week Spring 2008 Trends

1. The Crop-Top
• The 80’s crop-top is back in a new and fresh way. From boxy cuts, to form fitting bustiers, the crop top’s return shows confidence and edge.
(Alexander Wang, Jeremy Laing, Proenza Schouler, Rachel Comey)







2. Dark Transparency
• The sheer /transparent trend continues this season in various forms. Many designers in particular though used black chiffons, lace, tulle, etc. to give an overall sexy gothic look.
(Alexander Wang, Malo, Richard Chai, Sari Gueron)








3. Head-To-Toe Prints
• Prints were all over the runways. How they were combined made them interesting. Some designers clashed various prints and patterns together while others used the same print from head-to-toe.
(Malo, Marc Jacobs, Thakoon, 3.1 Philip Lim)








4. Masculine Femininity
• Designers all across the board played on the masculine/feminine contrast with baggy tapered trousers, loose refined tops, blouses, and blazers.
(Doo. Ri, Preen, Thakoon, Devi Kroel)








5. Caged In
• From skirts, to leggings, bands of fabric were manipulated to form a cage/fence look giving a sexy edgy look all in one.
(Savant, Savant, Jeremy Laing, Rodarte)