Fashion week is a highly anticipated event in the fashion industry where designers showcase their latest collections on the runway. It is a time for fashion lovers to get a glimpse of what trends will be in for the upcoming season and for designers to make their mark in the industry. Each fashion week, whether it’s in New York, London, Paris, or Milan, brings new and exciting trends that set the tone for the rest of the year. In this blog post, we will take a closer look at the top runway trends from this year’s fashion week and analyze their impact on the fashion world.
Overview of Fashion Week
Before we dive into the top trends, let’s first understand what fashion week is all about. Fashion week is a bi-annual event that takes place in major fashion capitals around the world. It is a series of fashion shows where designers present their new collections for the upcoming season. It is usually a week-long event that includes runway shows, presentations, and parties attended by industry professionals, celebrities, and influencers.
The first fashion week was held in New York City in 1943, known as “Press Week”, to showcase American designers’ work during World War II. Since then, fashion week has become a global phenomenon, with cities like London, Paris, and Milan joining New York in hosting the event. These four cities are considered the “big four” in the fashion industry and their fashion weeks hold the most influence and prestige.
Each fashion week is organized and sponsored by different organizations. The Council of Fashion Designers of America (CFDA) organizes New York Fashion Week, while the British Fashion Council (BFC) organizes London Fashion Week. The Fédération de la Haute Couture et de la Mode organizes Paris Fashion Week, and the Camera Nazionale della Moda Italiana organizes Milan Fashion Week.
Top Trends on the Runway
This year’s fashion week saw a mix of old trends making a comeback and new trends emerging. From bold colors to unique textures, designers experimented with different elements to create their signature looks for the season. Here are the top trends that dominated the runway this year.
1. Bold Colors
Bold, vibrant colors were seen in abundance on the runway this year. Designers used bright shades of pink, yellow, green, and blue to make a statement. These eye-catching colors were seen in various forms, from monochromatic looks to color-blocking and prints.
One designer who stood out for their use of bold colors was Marc Jacobs. His collection featured a range of neon-colored pieces, including dresses, coats, and accessories. He combined these bold colors with oversized silhouettes to create a fun and playful aesthetic.
Another designer who embraced bold colors was Christopher Kane. His collection featured an array of bright-colored tulle dresses and skirts, giving off a whimsical vibe. He also incorporated neon accents in his accessories, such as gloves and socks, to add a pop of color to his looks.
2. Statement Sleeves
Statement sleeves were another prominent trend on the runway this year. From exaggerated puff sleeves to bell sleeves, designers added drama to their collections with unique sleeve designs. This trend was seen in both casual and evening wear, making it versatile and wearable for different occasions.
At London Fashion Week, designer Molly Goddard showcased her signature tulle dresses with voluminous sleeves. She also incorporated statement sleeves in her knitwear pieces, creating a fusion of elegance and edge in her collection.
In New York, designer Brandon Maxwell’s collection featured a mix of structured and flowy pieces, all with statement sleeves. He added ruffles, pleats, and gathers to his sleeves, making them the focal point of his outfits.
3. Animal Print
Animal print has been a popular trend in the fashion world for the past few seasons, and it continues to dominate the runway this year. From leopard print to zebra stripes, designers incorporated various animal prints in their collections, giving off a fierce and bold vibe.
Designer Tom Ford showcased a range of animal print pieces in his collection, from leopard-print coats to snake-skin boots. He also mixed different prints together, creating a statement-making look on the runway.
At Paris Fashion Week, designer Hedi Slimane’s collection for Celine featured head-to-toe animal print looks. He used zebra print, leopard print, and snake print in a variety of silhouettes, from mini dresses to oversized coats. This bold approach to animal print was a standout trend on the runway.
4. Sheer Fabrics
Sheer fabrics have always been a staple in the fashion industry, but this year, they took center stage on the runway. Designers used sheer fabrics in various forms, such as mesh, lace, and tulle, to add texture and depth to their collections.
In New York, designer Prabal Gurung showcased a range of sheer dresses and blouses in his collection. He used lace and tulle to create delicate yet edgy looks, perfect for the modern woman.
At London Fashion Week, designer Simone Rocha incorporated sheer fabrics in her signature romantic aesthetic. Her collection featured sheer organza dresses with intricate embroidery, giving off a dreamy and ethereal vibe.
5. Tailoring
Tailored pieces were seen in almost every designer’s collection this year. Designers strayed away from the traditional boxy suits and instead added unique details and elements to make their tailored pieces stand out.
In Milan, designer Dolce & Gabbana’s collection featured sharp, tailored suits with bold patterns and prints. They also added embellishments and statement sleeves to their jackets, giving them a more feminine touch.
In Paris, designer Stella McCartney showcased a range of tailored pieces with a twist. Her collection featured oversized blazers and coats, paired with flowy skirts and dresses, creating a balance between structure and fluidity in her looks.
Analysis of Key Fashion Trends
While there were many trends on the runway this year, some stood out more than others and will likely have a bigger impact on the fashion industry. Let’s take a closer look at these key trends and their potential influence.
Sustainability
One trend that has been gaining momentum in the fashion industry is sustainability. With climate change and environmental concerns becoming more prevalent, designers are making a conscious effort to create sustainable and eco-friendly collections. This year’s fashion week saw an increase in sustainable practices, such as using recycled materials and implementing ethical production processes.
At London Fashion Week, designer Victoria Beckham announced that her brand would be going fur-free, opting for faux fur alternatives. She also launched a sustainable collection, using recycled materials and implementing sustainable practices in her production process.
In New York, designer Gabriela Hearst’s entire collection was created from repurposed materials and deadstock fabrics. She also partnered with a non-profit organization to plant trees to offset the carbon footprint of her fashion show.
Inclusivity
Another trend that has been gaining traction in the fashion world is inclusivity. Designers are now incorporating diversity in their campaigns and runway shows, showcasing models of different races, sizes, ages, and genders. This trend promotes the idea that fashion is for everyone, regardless of their background or appearance.
Designer Christian Siriano has been championing inclusivity for years, and his fashion week show was no exception. He featured a diverse cast of models, including plus-size models and models with disabilities, in his collection.
In Paris, designer Marine Serre’s collection featured models of different ethnicities and body types, promoting inclusivity and diversity on the runway.
Gender Fluidity
Gender fluidity has been an important topic in the fashion industry, and it’s no surprise that it was reflected on the runway this year. Designers are breaking gender norms and embracing a more fluid approach to fashion, blurring the lines between men’s and women’s clothing.
At New York Fashion Week, designer Michael Kors showcased a collection that featured both menswear and womenswear pieces. He also incorporated gender-neutral pieces, such as oversized blazers and shirts, in his collection.
In Milan, designer Gucci’s collection featured men wearing skirts and dresses, challenging traditional notions of masculinity and femininity in fashion.
Highlights from Fashion Week
Aside from the top trends, there were many other noteworthy moments at fashion week this year. Here are some highlights:
First-Ever Digital Fashion Week
This year, due to the COVID-19 pandemic, fashion week had to adapt and go digital. While physical events still took place, many designers opted for virtual fashion shows, presentations, and lookbooks. This allowed for a wider audience to view their collections and showcased the potential for a more sustainable and inclusive approach to fashion week.
The Return of Iconic Supermodels
Fashion week saw the return of some iconic supermodels on the runway this year. Naomi Campbell closed the Saint Laurent show in Paris, and Claudia Schiffer walked the runway for Balmain in Paris. These legendary supermodels proved that age is just a number and continue to make an impact on the fashion world.
Fashion Industry Comes Together to Support Black Lives Matter Movement
The Black Lives Matter movement brought attention to the lack of diversity and inclusivity in the fashion industry. In response, many designers and brands made a conscious effort to support the movement and promote diversity on the runway and in their campaigns. This showed the power of the fashion industry in creating change and promoting equality.
Conclusion
Fashion week never fails to impress and set the tone for the upcoming season. This year’s fashion week was no exception, with designers showcasing their creativity and talent while embracing key trends such as bold colors, statement sleeves, animal print, sheer fabrics, and tailoring. The event also highlighted important issues in the fashion industry, such as sustainability, inclusivity, and gender fluidity, showing that fashion is more than just clothes, it’s a reflection of society and its values. We can’t wait to see how these trends will translate into everyday style and influence the fashion industry in the coming months.
