American designers are struggling to keep their heads above water. One thing is for certain the newcomers seem to have the best luck for Spring/Summer. First up are Natalie Chanin and her design team at Project Alabama. This collection was a complete surprise and a true gift in sheep’s clothing. Everything from the summer dresses, tailored day jackets and embroidered skirts. The collection as a whole is a must have, if you can get your hands on one piece next month you are certainly a winner.

Diane Von Furstenberg presented a visually stunning collection for Spring/Summer. She gave us her bold and near perfect prints in all colors, density and shapes. Von Furstenberg explored this season’s dark palette but adding yellow, orange and red wherever she could. This red and white piece (dress & jacket) and her “New Look” dress in navy blue eyelet fabric are my must have picks for the season.

This season while everyone at New York fashion week went on and on about the dark pallet trend and how wonderful it was! I was pulling my hair out! But a handful of designers did give us some home for color this coming spring. One being Ms. Anna Sui, who abandoned her baby-doll dresses for light and fun summer dresses. I think Anna opted for no baby-doll dresses because everyone was doing it this season. Sui instead presented light Gatsby summer dresses with pale blue prints and pastel green embroidery. Both of these are my top pic for a Sui summer dress.

London was a little slim on the quality of collections. Only one designer stood out in the short week of fashion shows. Roksanda Ilincic presented a small collection this season and practically all-13 looks were perfect. From the cut to the form, right down to the couture fabrics.

In Milan, a few designers really took over Milan fashion week. An obvious pick is Alberta Ferretti and her label Philosophy and her namesake. Offering the must have dresses from Milan, From Philosophy’s silk satin flapper dress to Ferretti’s sleeveless panel dress with burnt amber and crisp whites satins.

The must have jacket from Milan most certainly belongs to Christopher Bailey for Burberry. The milk chocolate brown silk taffeta coat just floated down the runway. Catching the eye of every magazine editor, praying they get it early enough to shoot.

Now Paris can always be trusted, at least to give the world of fashion a hope for change. Well at least you can find more than 4 designers who can offer you something good.

First I must say that Nicholas Ghesquiere is a god in the making, of coarse his not at McQueen status right now. In his Spring/Summer collection for the House of Balenciaga, I am going to have to pick any of his romantic jackets or evening cocktail dresses. Especially this couture masterpiece, but wait its in a ready to wear line for the season. That means it’s easier on your pocket book.

Speaking of McQueen, of coarse his on my must have list…are you kidding. This season saw a lot of change for the designer. Showmen’s show for the fashion world and a collection that is not only wearable but dependable for the McQueen client. The must have down from Paris is most certainly McQueen’s backward gown with strands of gold beads over the bust. I am also still gushing over the deco inspired skirts in black and silver.

Although designer Karl Lagerfeld was on a exploration kick this season for the House of Chanel. He was able to not stray to far from the classic look of an honored House. The black cocktail dress with pastel lace tiers, its not only a new classic but sticking look for Chanel.

To close out this season I am going to shed the spotlight on a designer who not only brought delight to the editors in Paris but also shattered my preconception of his prior work. Lars Nilsson took the House of Nina Ricci on a new tangent for Spring/Summer. This season he presented a number of classic Ricci looks in new fabrics. The must have coat from Paris is the Ricci robe coat and his lave and jersey baby-doll dress.

The big trends of the season that you will see in the magazines are as followed:

1. Dark Palette (Black, Brown and Navy) the standout color of the season is the Techno Color blue.
2. There is most certainly a common masculine trend. Women in ties and slim suits.
3. Dior is God! Classic Dior gowns and dresses have been remastered by a number of designers this season. Here is to hoping these new designs educate the younger generations the necessity for classic design.
4. Lace is so pretty! Oh so pretty! Ruffles are so Fluffy, oh so Fluffy! The must have looks for the Spring/Summer season are lace and ruffle tops and dresses.
5. Everyone has a baby-doll dress this season….even Armani!
6. Accessories, you can never live without them…we may see them disappear now and then from the runways, but they will always come back!
7. Must have hand bags of the season, if you can get your hand on any of them, Diane Von Furstenberg

Thank you style