From BCBG Max Azria's 70s minimalism, to Jason Wu's tuxedo for women, to a romantic collection by Prabal Gurung, find out what top designers are showing for Fall/Winter 2011.
By LAHAV HARKOVChristian Siriano 311(photo credit: Associated Press)
With New York Fashion Week halfway over, the winners and losers of the Fall 2011 presentations are already apparent. Many designers chose to update the previous season's trends, making the transition from Spring\Summer styles to Fall easier, if not a bit boring.Here are some of the highlights:BCBG Max Azria went with a minimalist 1970s look that is very wearable, and for those of us who aren't heiresses, copyable. The loose fit and the turtlenecks make for some interesting styling ideas that will inspire fashionistas to keep wearing their sundresses into Autumn.BCBG MaxariaBCBG MaxariaThis next look (right) shows us that some of 2010's looks are here to stay, like camel and fur. It's hard to tell whether this is a dress, a shawl or a poncho, but it has a fun, retro quality to it.Christian Siriano may have started out on a reality show, but he is quickly making his way to the pantheon of American design. Siriano is known for frilly details that make women look and feel like princesses, but his dresses for Fall 2011 have a darker side to them that we can see in the next two dresses.This black dress (below) shows the "Project Runway" alum's skilled detailing as well as the sheer-fabrics trend that was found on almost every runway this week.The dark-green one (below) is in one of the designer's trademark ethereal prints, which manage to complement and not compete with the dresses' feminine shape.Jason SirianoFashion weekSiriano also kept with the seventies theme, showing his take on the trouser-cut trend, paired with a grey turtleneck. It looks like we'll all be dressing like Annie Hall in a few months.
Jason Wu also put the menswear style on the runway, this time with a tuxedo for women. The look is a strong and chic choice for evening wear, with some daring celebrities rocking it on the red carpet in the past few months. For those of you who want to try it at home, the key to keeping a tuxedo feminine is the cropped length of the pants, and a sexy pair of heels.Jason WuJason WuAnother interesting formal look is the neutral-colored gown (above). Beige continues to be au courant, and although Zac Posen had a very similar dress in his Spring\Summer 2010 collection, this dress is more elegant and classic. Perhaps someone could recommend that noted Wu fan Michelle Obama wear it to the next state dinner.Another designer that's gotten a deserved boost from Michelle Obama is Prabal Gurung. His Fall 2011 collection is definitely one of the week's best. This first look is current in so many ways: the color blocking in shades that almost clash, sheer fabrics and trouser-cut pants all say 2011 in a way that even women who can't afford designer clothes can easily make their own.(The second look) a dress that is so ethereal, with such beautiful detailing. It wouldn’t be surprising at all to see this, or a version of it, on the Oscar red carpet later this month. This look is sure to inspire many brides in 2011, with the very modern use of ombre and feathers.Prabal GurungFashion weekSpeaking of ombre, these fur jackets made waves on the Fall 2011 runways. It would take a very courageous trendsetter to wear this look off of the runway, but like Prada's Spring\Summer 2011 fur stoles, whoever will try it is sure to look fabulous. Notice Gurung's use of trendy sheer fabrics on the red skirt.Fashion weekFashion weekLast but not least, we have Gurung's grand finale look (above). The designer said his collection was inspired by Miss Havisham, and that this silk dress was washed many times in order to give it the worn-in feel of the famous wedding dress from Dickens' Great Expectations. Without knowing about Gurung's inspiration, one could imagine the dress looking very romantic without the goth styling. Worn with a strand of pearls and without tights, with both sleeves off the shoulders, and the same dress could say "Scarlett O'Hara."
