Fashion Week Report

I've seen toned-down looks across many runways in New York this week. There's not much over-reaching, and many houses are avoiding risk. But the last thing I want to see right now-- in this climate, both atmospherically and economically-- is hopelessness. I'm looking for more look packed into streamlined shapes. And some designers have delivered.

My pick for the week thus far is Mara Hoffman, whose slim, body-covering shapes are popping with elaborate, head-to-toe detail.

On the opposite end of the spectrum, we have some houses simply going bare. I've seen many head-to-toe neutrals on slim shapes. This, too, is bold, though in a different way. It's relatively easy to look good in two or three colors, but one solid shade? A little harder. I think Derek Lam and Calvin Klein menswear, below, do it well.

Sketchy

WWD gives us a delicious preview of some Fall '09 shoes.

Sometimes the drawings are better than the real thing. I love seeing the stylization of the images - the hasty Sharpie fill-in, the muted near-impressionism, the cartoonish exaggeration.


(Devi Kroell)


(Tashkent by Cheyenne)


(Casadei)

Sometimes you can tell the shoe is going to be ugly, but the image is charming or beautifully rendered.


(Claudio Merazzi)


(Giuseppe Zanotti)

Sometimes you just want to see it in person.


(Omelie)


(Ernesto Esposito)