Fall 2008 Fashion: 5 Questions with Constance White, eBay Style Director

by Colleen Geary, fashion stylist and image consultant

Constance WhiteWhat was your favorite show at Fashion Week?
Constance White: Proenza Schouler.  It was well thought out, has great use of color, and the shapes are creative yet wearable.  And the fabrics drape beautifully.  Proenza Schouler was a mix of intelligent, beautiful design and wearability.

What are your top trends for 2008?

CW: (1) The play of hard against soft.  For example, a pretty, silky dress in a beautiful color with a menswear inspired reefer coat in tweed or plaid.  Lighter fabrics are prevalent in part because of global warming but also because women travel so much today.
(2) A peep toe shoe or bootie with a high vamp–classic 1940s influence.
(3) Again, a 40s trend.  Grown up clothes for a more mature look.  Baby boomers want to be fashionable but also realistic.

How has fashion evolved since 2007?

CW: In 2007 the look was much more masculine and menswear inspired, with styles like the oxford heel.  2008 is much softer and feminine, though menswear is still trending in fabric such as tweeds and plaids.  The masculine influence is just not as hard as it was in 2007.  You’re going to see feminine influence in shoes, and in embellishments such as fur trimmed collars on coats or fur vests and feathers on hems and necklines. Statement bags (i.e. Marc Jacobs) are still on the runway, since women in business need them.

If Hilary becomes our first woman President, what would you recommend that she wear at her inauguration?
CW: A dress in a beautiful color such as peacock blue.  Add a classic reefer coat, perhaps with a fur trim collar, incorporating the essential fall trend of the play of hard against soft–qualities Hillary will need herself. No hat is needed–her hair and make-up are beautiful as they are today.

What are your personal must-have purchases?

CW: A very pretty colorful dress and a peep-toe bootie.

Posted by Trisha on February 12th, 2008 in Runway Reviews, Runway Reviews, Trend, Trend Predictives, Trendscape, What's In and What's Out, Women | 1 comment

Fall 2008 Fashion Week Trend Report

Temperley London Fall 2008 RunwayFashion Week Fall 2008 featured an explosion of color (say hello to teal, cobalt blue, crimson red, bright pink, and orange) and an emphasis on the feminine form.  Cinched waists, floor-length dresses, and asymmetrical, one-shoulder gowns played against headbands, oversized bows, and quirky hats. 

Want the full scoop on fashion week?  Read on for all of the biggest trends:

Accessories
Ankle Boots
Fishnets
Headbands
Quirky Hats
The Beanie Hat
T-Strap Shoes

Classifications
Cocoon Shaped Coats
Collarless Jacket
Double Breasted Jackets
Floor Length Dresses
Jumpsuit
Long Blazer
Skinny Pants
Tie-Neck Blouses

Color
Chocolate Brown
Cobalt Blue
Crimson Red
Day Glo Brights
Forest Green
Grey
Orange
Purple
Teal

White
Yellow Green

Details

Bishop Sleeves
Funnel Necklines
Half Sleeves
Oversized Bows
Oversized Collar
Pouf Sleeves
Tuxedo Detailing

Fabrics & Fabrications
Elegant Floral Prints
Feathers
Houndstooth
Ombre
Plaid
Sequins and Shine
Velvet

Silhouettes
1920s Fashion
Asymmetry
Attack of the 1980s
Cinched Waist

Photo Credit: NYMag.com.

Posted by Trisha on February 11th, 2008 in Runway Reviews, Runway Reviews, Trend, Trend Predictives, Trendscape, Trendscape, What's In and What's Out, Women | 6 comments

You Said: The Color Teal is In!

Omiru Poll Result: Bright Yellow is In!


BCBG Tie Front Charmeuse Blouse in Teal

We asked: Is The Color Teal In or Out?

You said:  In, with an overwhelming 78% of the vote!

Style tip?  Beat the winter blues with jewel tones, like this marvelously flattering teal blouse from BCBG.  Add a bright yellow bag for an extra punch of style.   Want more teal inspiration?   Check out Teal at Fashion Week Fall 2008.

Next question: Out of all of our Fashion Week Fall 2008 trends, the one that caused the most controversy was The Jumpsuit.  Would you wear it, or would you leave it on the rack? Cast your
vote on the sidebar!

Pictured:  BCBG Tie Front Charmeuse Blouse in Teal | $158 at Nordstrom.

Posted by Trisha on February 11th, 2008 in Trend, Trend Predictives, Trendscape, Trendscape, What's In and What's Out, Women | 2 comments

Fall 2008 Fashion Week Trend: The Cinched Waist

Fall 2008 Fashion Week Trend: The Cinched Waist
Photo Credit: NYMag.com
Cinched Waist Looks at Verrier, Diane von Furstenberg, and BCBG.


Style tip?  You can visually create curves where you don’t have any with a belt–wide or thin.  And if you are already blessed with curves, you can accentuate them with a belt.


What do you think?  Would you wear a cinched waist outfit?  Share your thoughts in the comments!

Posted by Trisha on February 11th, 2008 in Runway Reviews, Runway Reviews, Trend, Trend Predictives, Trendscape, Trendscape, What's In and What's Out, Women | 3 comments

Fall 2008 Fashion Week Trend: Velvet

Fall 2008 Fashion Week Trend: Velvet
Photo Credit: NYMag.com
Velvet at Max Azria, Carolina Herrera, and Zac Posen.


Style tip?  Add texture to your outfit with velvet–a classic fall/winter fabric.  The classic velvet item?  The Velvet Blazer. 


What do you think?  Would you wear velvet?  And if so, with what?  Share your thoughts in the comments!

Posted by Trisha on February 11th, 2008 in Runway Reviews, Runway Reviews, Trend, Trend Predictives, Trendscape, Trendscape, What's In and What's Out, Women |

Fall 2008 Fashion Week Trend: Cocoon Shaped Coats

Fall 2008 Fashion Week Trend: Cocoon Coats
Photo Credit: NYMag.com
Cocoon Shapes at BCBG, Peter Som, and Philip Lim.


Style tip?  For maximum figure flattery,
cocoon shaped coats are best worn with a belt, a la BCBG. 

What do you think?  Would you wear a cocoon coat?  And if so, with what?  Share your thoughts in the comments!

Posted by Trisha on February 11th, 2008 in Runway Reviews, Runway Reviews, Trend, Trend Predictives, Trendscape, Trendscape, What's In and What's Out, Women | 4 comments

Fall 2008 Fashion Week Trend: The Oversized Collar

Fall 2008 Fashion Week Trend: The Oversized Collar
Photo Credit: NYMag.com
Oversized Collars at Peter Som and James Coviello.


Style tip?  Use this standout detail as a frame for your gorgeous face.


What do you think?  Would you wear an oversized collar?  And if so, with what?  Share your thoughts in the comments!

Posted by Trisha on February 11th, 2008 in Runway Reviews, Runway Reviews, Trend, Trend Predictives, Trendscape, Trendscape, What's In and What's Out, Women | 1 comment

Fall 2008 Fashion Week Trend: The Beanie Hat

Fall 2008 Fashion Week Trend: The Beanie Hat
Photo Credit: NYMag.com
The Beanie Hat at Catherine Malandrino, Cynthia Steffe, and Doo Ri.


Style tip? 
Try one in a bright red, yellow, or even purple–hats are a great way to experiment with color.

What do you think?  Would you wear a beanie hat?  And if so, with what?  Share your thoughts in the comments!

Posted by Trisha on February 11th, 2008 in Runway Reviews, Runway Reviews, Trend, Trend Predictives, Trendscape, Trendscape, What's In and What's Out, Women | 1 comment

Fall 2008 Fashion Week Trend: Crimson Red

Fall 2008 Fashion Week Trend: Crimson Red
Photo Credit: NYMag.com
Crimson Red at Oscar de la Renta, Monique Lhuillier, and Marchesa.


Style tip? 
Simply gorgeous on all skin tones.  Be prepared to turn heads!

What do you think?  Would you wear crimson red?  And if so, with what?  Share your thoughts in the comments!

Posted by Trisha on February 10th, 2008 in Runway Reviews, Runway Reviews, Trend, Trend Predictives, Trendscape, Trendscape, What's In and What's Out, Women | 2 comments

Fall 2008 Fashion Week Trend: Oversized Bows

Fall 2008 Fashion Week Trend: Oversized Bows
Photo Credit: NYMag.com
Oversized Bows at Proenza Schouler, Carolina Herrera, and Marc by Marc Jacobs.


Style tip?  Bows have been in for the last several seasons, but this season’s bow is decidedly oversized for drama.  One way to work it is to give a feminine touch to an otherwise masculine outfit.

What do you think?  Would you wear oversized bows?  And if so, with what?  Share your thoughts in the comments!

Posted by Trisha on February 9th, 2008 in Runway Reviews, Runway Reviews, Trend, Trend Predictives, Trendscape, Trendscape, What's In and What's Out, Women | 3 comments

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