Alexander McQueen and his effect on the fashion industry

As I walked through the Alexander McQueen Exhibit at the Metropolitan Museum, the section that most caught my eye was the shipwreck inspired pieces. In this room, there were several detailed pieces that to me stood apart from the rest. I thought each design in this section were clean, elegant, while still portraying what McQueen is most known for; Avant Garde.

The "Oyster" Dress shown above was by far my favorite garment from the Shipwreck Collection as it reminded me of an elegant wedding gown that has been dragged through the oceans bottom and carried algae with it on the way to the shore.

This piece was inspired by the decade when pirates and amazon indians influenced the world. I feel McQueen has an exquisite way of introducing a design that is unique to the eye, but gorgeous due to the technique and intricate detailing involved to create the piece. 

The dress represents a neo-romantisicm trend that has now influenced and allowed ruffles, lace, and organza to run the show in the fashion industry. 

I think it is immediately clear that this feminine trend, by McQueen from his Spring/Summer 2003, will be re-introduced and produce longevity in the fashion industry, as we are now seeing it today.

Overall Visual Trends in Retail

A Unique Interpretation of Scarves

Analyzing fashion trends & how they influence people today...

Scarves on Handbags

Q: What drove your purchase to begin applying scarves to handbags?

A: I began seeing this trend re-appear on several blogs I follow, where they mention adding a scarf to a handbag often changes the overall look to the handbag and is less expensive than feeling like I have to buy a new bag each season.

Q: How did you react to this trend after you first noticed it?

A: I immediatley grabbed the first  scarf I could find and put it on my handbag. Now I tend to see people all over New York using scarves on handbags. It truly does change the whole look of the bag!

Q: After seeing this trend, did it influence you to buy a lot of new scarves?

A: I have purchased new scarves but they all tend to be vintage, as I find they are cheaper and have more of a story to them.

Overall Juliana is often inspired by gossip blogs and celebrities. Although tying scarves on handbags may seem like a trend from years back, it is indeed re-appearing in today's fashions as it is a way to create a whole new look for a handbag without have to buy something completely new. This very similar trend is being seen in Children's Wear. Kids are beginning to aspire to look, dress, and act like their role models, therefore want to be as mature as their parents and sport handbags on daily adventures.

I am not sure which happened first, if this trend was seen in retail or on blogs and magazines, but overall the trend has taken over for Spring 2011!

                                                                   Show a little belly...

Q: What drove your purchase to wear a belly top?

A: I actually began wearing this trend before it became so popular by every retailer in New York City. 

Q: How did you react to this trend after you first noticed it?

A: I immediatley fell in love with this trend. I hadn't really seen many people actually adapting to the trend, but I have been wearing it ever since.

Q: After adapting to this trend, where have you been seeing it the most?

A: After buying my first belly top, I first began noticing the trend in blogs and magazines on celebrities.

Juliana is also often influenced more by things she likes rather than what's currently in style. As I know most might be thinking she's still right on track with the belly top trend, she actually began wearing belly shirts almost a year before they became all the rage. Oddly enough, we are now beginning to see our younger audience sporting the belly shirt. As they picked up this trend a little later than adults, we question...is this appropriate for our youth?! I suppose ANYTHING goes this day and age!

                                                           Flowers accents in all NEW ways

Q: What drove your purchase to begin using flowers in unique ways on clothing and as accessories?

A: I was first inspired to try this trend years back when Carrie on Sex and the City first began attaching fake flowers to clothes, shoes, purses, etc.  

Q: How did you react to this trend after you first noticed it?

A: I felt it was unique and wasn't sure if I could pull it off. I then began seeing it in several retailers and bought a fake flower one day and ever since it has continued to be a unique way to accessorize an outfit.

Q: After seeing this trend, did it influence you accessorize in any new ways?

A: I have not necessarily accessorized in any new ways but I have tried new ways of wearing fake flowers. 

Juliana is often inspired by watching what others wear and sometimes influenced by trends her friends might be wearing. The above trend is one that was seen for Women's Wear some time ago, but has recently been seen in Children's Wear of all ages as a fun accessory piece to an outfit.

The story behind the color white...

The color white can often be seen as different colors depending on the eye analyzing any image. People choose to see what they wish, therefore creating the idea of choosing what you want to see! When looking at the images above, we immediately classify them as "white" images, but in the end they truly demonstrate many more colors than you could ever see at first glance...

1950's: Hats

This is a look from the 1950's where I pulled my entire inspiration of hats from this decade making a come back in future fashion. This look has somewhat been seen recently by girl scout outfits all over the world. This type of hat, plus several of the styles below will make a reoccurrence in future fashion!

A classic look form the 1950's could reappear in future fashion to come, as people have a desire to portray an elegant look more often in today's society. Overall fashionistas will have the desire of dressing up as a regular occurrence, rather than just a rare occasion. This same look will be seen in children's wear in years to come!

This type of hat still allows for a woman to dress up their look while keeping it casual. I feel this look will be seen in future for both adult and children's wear. 

A similar hat as seen in the look above, will be worn more forward and expressed in a very different way. This look allows for the wearer to put their opinion into the overall appearance. Not one person as to wear this style hat the same....EXPRESS YOURSELF and be UNIQUE!

Knee Highs... the knew tights for Fall/Winter 2011

Knee high socks with capri pants seems to be the trend for Fall 2011 as we can see from one of the outfits from the Ports 1961 Runway Show on the left. We can also see how this same trend transitions into Children's Wear. What a new and unique trend!

Here we see the same knee high trend in one of the outfits that went down the Fall 2011 Runway show for Anna Sui. A very casual knee high look, paired with basically anything from your current wardrobe is seen for both Women's and Kid's Wear. 

Here we see an outfit that went down Ports 1961's Runway for Fall 2011. This is a much more sophisticated and tailored look for both Women's Wear and Children's Wear, while continueing the knee high inspiration.

On the left we see an outfit from the Creatures of the Wind Runway Show for Fall 2011. Here is a very casual look with knee high socks. A very similar style can also be seen from the picture on the left for Children's Wear that the person wearing the outfit is able to pull in their own personality. 

On the left we see an outfit seen during Anna Sui's Runway Show for Fall 2011. We can see a similar eclectic style for Children's Wear in the picture on the right. Funky, Fashionable, and we wear what we want at any age!

On the left we notice a Women's Wear outfit from the Marc by Marc Jacobs Runway Show for Fall 2011. Here we are able to see a more simplistic look, made fun through the use of bold colors.This same look is demonstrated on the right for Children's Wear.

On the left we see a design done by Jill Stuart that is funky look that is worn by someone who is rebellious which is demonstrated through their style. On the left we see see a similar style for Kids Wear that represents the same theme and overall knee high trend. 

On the left we see a design by Anna Sui that was shown at her Runway Show for Fall 2011. We also see a similar style for Children's Wear as well. Overall both trends represent a casual lifestyle, while demonstrating the knee high trend for Fall 2011, using a unique fabrics and color assortments. 

Street Shots

 

On the streets on New York City, we saw several trench coats with boots due to the rainy weather. We are beginning to see this same trend becoming popular in Kids Wear as well.

 

Everyone is getting spring fever as the weather shifts from warm to cold. Fashionistas begin to pull their bright colored coats out of their closets, no matter what the age might be!

  

As it is still chilly in the big apple, as girls, we have to do something to make our outwear fun! Here we have a asian structured coat. The trend can be seen for both adults and children, where the Children's Wear look is a little more playful.

 

A vintage inspired look, both seen in Women's and Children's Wear. Adding a scarf around the neck adds spunk to an outfit and truly is a finishing touch!

 

Both mature and young can stylishly sport the basic double breasted coat! Once again we see a youthful approach by adding color to the Children's Wear version.

 

Men can stay chic no matter the age! It will always be a classic for a male to wear jeans and a coat with a button down shirt.

 

The men's wool double breasted coat is always a classic no matter the age!