1. Fashion Week Launches: What Does Green Design Really Mean?
Interest in sustainable efforts is increasing everywhere, even designers at the Mercedes Benz Fashion Week in New York City have jumped on the bandwagon. But, what does sustainable fashion mean? Green fashion means more than using organic materials. One way designers are becoming greener is upcycling – taking old items and remanufacturing them into different products. They also like the idea of maximizing the usefulness of a piece of clothing, like a little black dress that can be accessorized in many different ways. Click here to read more.

Mercedes-Benz Fashion Week

2. Sculpting Sportswear
Designer Francisco Costa shows off his linear, streamlined clothes at Calvin Klein. Mr. Costa used senior models including Kristen McMenamy and Stella Tennant to celebrate womanhood. Issac Mizrahi’s Central Park theme missed the mark with the transparent plastic accessories. L’Wren Scott’s collection expressed fresh ideas. Gilles Mendel used furs with a sporty edge. Click here to read more.

New York Fashion Week

3. Fashion’s Military Invasion Rolls On
A collection Marcus Wainwright of Rag & Bone showed on Feb. 12 featured military greatcoats, camouflage anoraks, and variations on the field jacket. Though military influences were already widespread before the latest shows it is a functional look for people. LeAnn Nealz, the chief design officer fro American Eagle Outfitters says military styling, “feels destined to survive in your wardrobe for more than one season.” Click here to read more.

Military Invasion

4. The Return Of Confidence
After a difficult year, New York Fashion week sounded a more confident note as designers re-embraced their core visions. Ralph Lauren’s collection merged trend with timelessness. Jack McCollough and Lazaro Hernandez of Proenza Schouler presented a collection channeling the drama of a highly fashionable American prep school, while Issac Mizrahi’s “Central Part Story Book” was described in the show notes as “Avedon meets ‘Avatar.’” Click here to read more.

The Return of Confidence

5. New York Fashion Week: Jeremy Scott offers hanger appeal — literally
Retail buyers at runway shows look for “hanger appeal,” they want pieces that scream “pick me!” while hanging on a clothes hanger or folded on a shelf. Jeremy Scott used broad shoulders models with towering updos making them resemble human coat hangers. One of his most humorous pieces was a silk, strapless black evening gown with a train that ended in a black nightie that was hanging on a golden goat hanger bearing the designer’s name.  Click here to read more.

Hanger Appeal

6. New York Fashion Week: At Narciso Rodriguez and Calvin Klein, majestic minimalism
Narciso Rodriguez and Calvin Klein’s Francisco Costa were in their element during New York Fashion Week, a week that was about paring down and cleaning up. Curving lines and shadowy effects made up much of Rodriguez’s collection, while Costa made minimalism majestic. Click here to read more.

Majestic Minimalism

7. New York Fashion Week Fall 2010: Rachel Roy
Rachel Roy’s Fall/Winter 2010 collection featured influences from her Egyptian heritage in the gold metallic pieces, and even work-perfect clothing. Rich blues and reds along with the streamlined contours of her clothes made for an eye-catching effect. Click here to read more.

Rachel Roy