A new shape for Fall 2009
By Nadine Kam
Associated Press photos
Designs, clockwise from top left, by Cynthia Rowley, Jill Stuart, DKNY and Thakoon.
The Fall 2009 New York Fashion Week is underway and after four days, I’m seeing a lot of dark colors and minimalist silhouettes. What’s new is — oh, say it ain’t so — a return to the inverted triangle silhouette, with more weight at the shoulder, tapering to a narrower bottom. A look also known as death for short girls everywhere.
If you longed to see something new, behold the new shape of fall 2009. Are you ready for a return of shoulder pads? These designs, clockwise from top right, are from Yigal Azrouel, Miss Sixty, Herve Leger by Max Azria and Erin Fetherston.
To me, the ’80s represented an era of really bad fashion, so it surprises me when I talk to people and discover they really liked that period because they thought of it all as fun. Ugh. All you have to do is watch the teen movies from that era to know how bad it was. The over-permed, over-teased hair, shoulder pads and loud prints can’t be overlooked. I remember cutting all the shoulder pads out of my clothes. They were so ugly, like a folded pancake sitting on your shoulder. Double ugh!
But, I did learn something very important: If you stick to classic pieces of clothing, the photos of your youth that show up later in life are less likely to date you.
A couple of my favorite collections … so far (there are four more days to go) are by Erin Fetherston and Tracy Reese, who show two very different silhouettes.
Lean and clean at Tracy Reese:
Urban dolls at Erin Fetherston:
Check out www.fashionweekdaily.com for updates on the runway and parties of NY Fashion Week.
February 17th, 2009 at 11:18 am
oh no not the inverted triangle silhouette!! I dislike these types of lines..makes women look much too stiff and angry. The dark colors are ok but aren’t we in the spring season?
February 17th, 2009 at 5:10 pm
Hiya, yup it’s spring in the civilian world, but designers have to look ahead and this is the time they introduce their fall lines so everyone can plan accordingly, from retailers looking for what to add to their racks, editors planning photo spreads, to the consumer who wants to make smart spring buys that will work well into fall. Looks like Marc Jacobs will be punching up dark colors with accents of bright colors available now, for instance.
February 18th, 2009 at 4:08 pm
I loved the looks at Preen.
I know you didn’t post that, but I just wanted to share!
February 19th, 2009 at 7:07 pm
Hi Allie, I didn’t see the photos from Preen but had to check it out after you mentioned. Some cool graphic stuff. I want to find out others’ favorite shows after the last on Friday.
February 20th, 2009 at 1:00 am
Inverted triangles, oh no! I think I can pull off a peaked shoulder or slight pads, but not a full blown out shoulder for my short frame! I haven’t seen one collection I really loved, but off the top of my head I liked Koi Suwannagate, Max Azria and TSE.
February 20th, 2009 at 10:39 pm
TRIPLE UGH!!!!
But i have always love wearing Tracy Reese does a great job and very comfy and stylish.
also i do like the Urban dolls at Erin Fetherston, I have a black & pink “ballerina type” skirt that i love wearing with a tshirt or a formal top. Either way it’s always a hit!
You are doing a great job covering fashion week.
I see what you cover next tomorrow.