Falling in Love: Fall Trends at Richards 2011

Giorgio Armani Milan Runway Fall 2011

How can it be? Poof! Summer is nearly gone...What can I say to cheer me you up???  Well, for starters, Fall is looking mighty luscious!!!  As the new collections pour into Richards, the prevalence of certain trends becomes obvious.  It's always interesting to see which collective fabrics and colors seep into the consciousness of the design community and how cohesive the results are. Great like minds do think alike.

Here are some of the trends you can look forward to seeing at Mitchells Stores:
Out of the Blue:  Designers like Jason Wu, Lela Rose and Carven (new for us)*, embraced different hues of blue from the calm Mediterranean to stormy skies and the deepest ocean.  They flatter nearly everyone and they are a lovely change from black:

Plum Crazy-  Plum was featured in many collections and adds a pretty a pop of color complimenting all of the rich hues of grey and chocolate on the floor:

Alberta Ferretti, DVF, Paula Ka

Ready for Red- Red, from classic lipstick to deep hues of Merlot, were all over the runways and favored by many designers. After many season of nude, (which don't always do us brunettes any favors, red emerges as a great alternative to the LBD in your closet, (naturally it shouldn't preclude you from adding another. There is a perfectly good reason why a perfectly cut LBD stands the test of time...nothing is chicer or more skinnifying):

Jason Wu,  Left and Center, Pamella Roland

 Mod Man- Influences from the Sixties appeared in many collections. Designers like Michael Kors showed super clean, graphic, color blocked dresses in combinations of red and sapphire mixed with black and white. The Valentino teams, from both Collection and Valentino Red showed slightly A-line "lady" dresses, that would have worked perfectly on Catherine Deneuve on her way home from her "day job" to her unsuspecting husband, in Belle de Jour.  Brunello Cucinelli made it all look breezy, luxe and casual by crafting his shifts out of suede and adding gorgeous separate knitted cowls in tones of pumpkin and clay:

Michael Kors

Valentino Collection

Valentino Red

Brunello Cucinelli Suede Shift

Spot On- Animal prints, dots and spots were prevalent in numerous collections.  I'm a firm believer in the timelessness of animal prints.  Look for them all across the accessory landscape in shoes, handbags, clutches and belts too:

Donna Degnan, Yigal Azrouel, Cavalli, Michael Kors

And my fave, this gorgeous chiffon cocktail dress...very Grace Kelly in "To Catch A Thief":



Monique Lhuillier


Arts and Crafts-  Many designers seemed to crave adding some creative flourishes to other wise clean sihouettes...bits of tulle, lace, and beading embellished and charmed:

Red lace streamed down both sides of this Jason Wu black cocktail sheath

Lela Rose

Detail of Lela Rose Grey cocktail dress with woven metallic thread and tulle overlay

Yigal Azrouel emerald satin tunic with bead and sequin embellishment

Go Fur It- I credit Michael Kors and Rachel Zoe with making fur a daytime commodity... yes,  it's a little glam, but still casual, chic and fun.  The Olsen twins love it too, and featured it strongly in their collection for The Row.  The world is divided on the ethics of wearing fur, but if you unabashed, this is your year:

Michael Kors

Vince vest, Brunello Cucinelli jacket, coat and cashmere sweater with fur details

Luxe and Tux-  There was an elegant timelessness to many of the options for evening this Fall. From beautiful baby black sequins on dresses, to classic Tuxedo looks at Giorgio Armani and the simplicity of Michael Kors long side slit pencil skirt, paired simply with a white Georgette blouse, there is literally, something for everyone:

Georgio Armani, Valentino, Naeem Khan, Giorgio Armani tuxedo

Micheal Kors

And on that note, I am going to go devour September Vogue...if I can lift it.

Enjoy the rest of it!!!  At least it's nice to know their are great things in store for Fall.

xox,
DD