The hottest trends on the NY runway this season
With New York fashion week at the half-way point, here are the eight hottest trends on the catwalk for spring/summer 2016 so far:
BARE SHOULDERS
The woman of 2016 dares to bare -- just enough, not too much. Sleeves may be back with a vengeance, but shoulders are bare.
For a sexy asymmetrical look, see up-and-coming designer Rosie Assoulin, or French-American house Altuzarra. For structured suits and dresses, see Givenchy, Tome, Lacoste, Prabal Gurung and Victoria Beckham.
RUFFLING FEATHERS
New York designers are embellishing everything with ruffles this season, transforming a lean, simple silhouette into something light, floaty and very feminine.
Michelle Obama favorite Jason Wu and Los Angeles based BCBG Max Azria were masters of the ruffle.
Fringing was prominent at Prabal Gurung, Jason Wu and Dion Lee. Givenchy made lace the centerpiece of its New York ready-to-wear debut.
LONG AND LOOSE
The extra-long, loose and fluid look is back. Fewer jackets are cinched at the waist. Outerwear, pants and dresses fall beautifully to the ankle or heel. See Public School, Diane Von Furstenberg and Thakoon.
AU NATUREL
The woman of spring/summer 2016 is a natural beauty, with discreet, barely there makeup that focuses on radiant, well-hydrated skin, such as at Alexander Wang and Thakoon.
There was little or no mascara at Derek Lam. Eyebrows were enhanced at Prabal Gurung and Alexander Wang. Lips were kept bright red at Jason Wu and Victoria Beckham, while Givenchy hid faces in jeweled masks.
Diane von Furstenberg was the exception, opting for a disco look with heavy mascara, blush and eye shadow.
LOOSE AND WAVY TRESSES
Free flowing to accentuate the natural look, hair fell to the shoulders, wavy at Victoria Beckham, Tadashi Shoji, DVF, Betsey Johnson or sometimes a wet look such as at Thakoon, Derek Lam and Tome.
SEA BREEZE
There is a soft sea breeze blowing at fashion week. Altuzarra revisited his Basque roots with espadrilles, linen and the crumpled look -- almost as if clothes had just been pulled out of a beach bag.
Victoria Beckham used urban surf as her inspiration, Rosie Assoulin showed a long-strapped green bikini layered over a printed blouse and Caribbean island life inspired Tommy Hilfiger.
STATEMENT EARRINGS
This season's statement accessories are oversized earrings on show at Jeremy Scott, Banana Republic, Rosie Assoulin and Alexander Wang.
ORANGE IS THE NEW BLACK
Orange was everywhere, as at Jeremy Scott. And Prabal Gurung made much of his Nepal-inspired collection, which was a meditation on orange and yellow.
But black and white never goes out of fashion, and was prominent at Givenchy, Victoria Beckham and Alexander Wang. - AFP
(Photo: Fernando Leon / GETTY IMAGES NORTH AMERICA / AFP)