spring 2009

Not so long ago I wrote about Japan Fashion Week SS09 held in Tokyo and about my favorite collections presented there. Well, here are three more.

Matohu is a young label designed by Hiroyuki Horihata and Makiko Sekiguchi and probably "the next covetable Japanese export" as Fashion Wire Daily considers. Both Horihata and Sekiguchi studied the Apparel Design Course at Bunka Fashion College (Tokyo) and after graduation they subsequently worked for Bora Aksu in London.

Trend spotting continues! Here are the spring 2009 fashion trends at first look over Paris Fashion Week collections:

Asymmetric: long/short trail-y gowns irreverent called ‘mullet dresses' made a shocking appearance on Paris runways. Except for an iconic rock wedding dress of the early 90s this cut never emerged as a fashion trend and I think neither will now, although we will see some experiments on the red carpet.

Balmain, Elie Saab, Emanuel Ungaro and Nina Ricci

The British Fashion Council ethical fashion show/exhibition at London Fashion Week Spring/Summer 2009, Estethica, now in its 5th season, turned into the very epicenter of the eco-sustainable fashion industry in UK.

One of the best newcomers in this community of fair-trade, eco and ethical fashion design is young fashion label Minna, an example of edgy design and eco passion mix.

Milan Fashion Week revealed the Italian view on spring 2009 fashion: glamorous and sophisticated, sometimes opulent but very feminine. Here are some of the spring 2009 trends:

1. Bejeweled: not only evening gowns but also trenches and short coats are adorned with stones, big paillets, studs or crystals.

Alberta Ferretti, Burberry Prorsum, Derercuny, Dolce & Gabbana, Etro and Blumarine

London Fashion Week (14th-19th September 2008) revealed some of the spring 2009 trends. These were the most obvious for me; if you noticed other trends feel free to share your findings.

1. Color block: clashing two or three color combinations; hot pink or fuchsia makes a vivid contrast with fluorescent shades of yellow, orange or green.

LF Markey, Josh Goot, Richard Nicoll and Sinha Stanic

Pencil leather skirts emerged as a trend throughout spring 2009 New York collections. And not only skirts; slick jackets, dresses and even leather tops that placed this material in a sophisticated area, pushing it forward from the fetishistic/stereotype category.

And, with today's technology development, artificial leather versions like latex and all sort of high-tech pvc coated fabrics are more comfortable, softer and look even better than leather; so it has never been more easier and classier to make a eco-friendly choice.

Matthew Williamson, Rag&Bone, Stærk, Zero Maria Cornejo

September 1st to 5th, Tokyo: Japan Fashion Week hosted 37 brand (maisons) spring 2009 shows. Among them, young designer Aya Furuhashi of fur fur label who presented a youthful, bohemian collection in garden-like scenery.

Under those many layers and flowers you can notice sweet and feminine pieces such as frilled baby-doll tops and chiffon dresses; three quarter length sleeved spring coats and jackets in precious taffeta or brocade as well as flower printed leisure trousers, all in warm, sun-bleached shades.