Trend - Fall 2008 The fashion trends this season are very simple and very subtle. They are about interesting fabrics, new detail, gentle changes in shape and tailoring. They have evolved from where we were last year and it all makes sense—you can add new pieces to what you already have in your closet; or, wear a new total outfit with fashion confidence. Softening Shapes Rounder, softer, curved lines make the headlines this fashion season. Add roundness where you’re most comfortable—there are many choices. Oval shapes—nipped in at the hem, whether on top or on bottom. Gentle blouson and bubble hemlines finish this year’s new items. Rounded Shoulders—soft, not angular. Look for drop shoulder seams, raglan, and the return of the dolman sleeve. Texture, Texture, Texture! Textured wovens and knits, plus interesting detail create a whole classification of exciting novelty solid items. Nothing is flat, except for the most basic. Take simple solid styles and add gathering, shirring, quilting, pointelle, crochet, ribs, and cables. Tweed-le Dee… Autumn tweeds take center stage as a beautiful textured fabric story. Again, not basic, this year’s tweeds are colorful, bold, and very exciting. They’re mixed with multi yarns, contrasting accent detail, and dusted with sparkly clear sequins. Look for it in jackets, suits, and tweed sweaters! Taffeta for Day A new breed of fabric has taken this season by storm. Used by many different designers, a lustrous, silk-like taffeta gives sportswear a modern twist. It’s silky, but with a techno synthetic edge. Often crinkled for texture, it’s the newest jacket, shirt, and dress fabric. The Dress Story We’re sure by now you’ve discovered how wonderful wearing a dress—not only for evening but for day—can be, and what a fashion statement it makes this year! Dresses this season signal in a modern tailoring which is simple in shape and easy to wear like a sheath or shift. The updates are new seaming, and lots of detail at the neck, whether a tie effect, pleating, or tucking. Vintage Blacks We’re still under the spell of historic romance and continue to see a fashion trend around Edwardian and Victorian styling. The jackets and coats have a crinkly, ruffly high collar with grosgrain ribbon trim, silky matelassé fabric, and fur trim. The look is sophisticated, yet modern and nostalgically chic. This trend shows up in handbags too—soft pouchy textile bags with beautifully decorated antique metal and ivory clasps and frames. Autumn Jewels While black, gray, and brown still dominate the color palette, we welcome in a beautiful array of jewel shades in sweaters and accessories. These items have the glow of a walk in the woods under brilliant autumn falling leaves. They’re not hot brights, but a bit more mellow and so flattering to wear: russet, amber, berry, crimson, teal, forest, sapphire. We’re especially in love with these colors that Brunello Cucinelli and Rivamonti do so well in their specialty fabrics. Bags To Behold Look to the raw beauty of nature and you’ll find the exciting handbags for autumn in an assortment of textured animal and reptile skin looks. Faux is the message in new simulated fashion materials but always with a croc, alligator, or lizard texture. Add pony fur, whip and saddle stitching, rugged leather trim and fringe for the rough and raw touch to fashion chic. Evening Ruffles Nothing is more alluring and so dramatically feminine as wearing all-over floating ruffles when you walk in a room. Our evening collection by Neil Bieff has cocktail dresses as well as long gowns in gorgeous colors and styles with tiers of lighter-than-air silk georgette ruffles. Some are decorated with sequins, embroidery, or beads, but all are simply stunning!