Saturday, February 18, 2012

New York Fashion Week Coverage

Ralph Lauren Fall 2012

Downton Abbey harkened to the theme of this show which had everything to do with British finery brought forward into the 21st century. Though this was a little more jaunty and dandified than the type of clothes Lady Mary would wear. Perhaps the more appropriate influence for the first half of this show would be Jeeves and Wooster.

For day, argyles, plaids, houndstooth checks, and tartans ruled the scene. Layering these menswear looks achieved something far more pleasant than the dull scene “British high society” tends to evoke. Top hats, canes, gloves, and pocket squares extended the masculine metaphor. The proper looks get softened during the middle of the show when several of the flared suits came out in head-to-toe velvet. Leather made it into the mix as well in the form of a smart black trench coat and an A-line dress with tight leather sleeves. For night, decadent black and gold dresses and exhilarating fuchsia gowns added an unexpected depth to the collection. A little high-drama Art Deco influence made an appearance as well. Ralph Lauren may be reaching back across the decades for influence, but these looks are still wearable now in the present.

written by GRACE GORDON|photos: courtesy of GoRunway

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