Juicy Couture

While other designers are generating over-the-top layers for their Fall collection, Juicy Couture is sending models down the runway in sun dresses, mini skirts, and tank tops. Juicy’s colorful lineup was clearly created with a Miami or Los Angeles environment in mind. Still, the collection is too gorgeous to put down for its carelessness towards weather. The vibrant colors and patterns add some life into an otherwise dull Fall season. The metallic, foil-effect bottoms are retro and refreshing. The dresses are fun and playful, while the shirt-bottom combinations are edgy and adolescent. Every outfit demands heels (preferably open-toed, of course). There are a handful of jackets among the bunch and they – thankfully – held their own within the lineup. Juicy Couture’s blatant disregard for weather breaks an unspoken rule within the fashion world. Thank goodness its many winning outfits allow us to overlook such a detail.

Victoria Beckham

Not everything in Victoria Beckham’s collection was spectacular, but those handfuls of hero pieces that stood out were fantastic! Beckham’s decision to primarily use indigo, violet, and yellow for her outfits to pop was an excellent choice. She took a risk with the lengthy coats and, though many loved her little evolution of ideas, they were a bit uneasy on the eyes. The length and material, in particular, just do not strike out as extremely comfortable. The cute turtleneck tops are another story. The turtleneck aspect is an adorable addition to Beckham’s looks. The belted tops and slit skirts are also stylish successes. Really, everything besides the outerwear (Ironically, her coats were expected to make a statement this Fall) was a triumph within her lineup.

Ralph Lauren

The fall collection produced by Ralph Lauren was a total success story. The designer created a Russian, romantic tone in his clothes. So many of the models in the show look like they walked right in from the streets of Russia with their pressed coats, caps, oversized fur coats, and naval-inspired suits. All of Lauren’s outerwear was especially intoxicating and closely mimicked the classiness and European style of designing. He primarily used black for his lineup, such as for many of his slacks, shoes, caps, and bags. His dresses were also a thing of beauty. Though most were black, one dress in particular stunned with its burgundy, velvet texture. Another dress came in an olive green with the same velvety feel.

Alice + Olivia

Stacey Bendet’s Alice + Olivia collection incorporated a number of tantalizing textures. Her designs popped when she layered polka dots against floral and vintage print. Her fall dresses were in bold prints like plaid or stripes. The diversity of prints, cuts, and textures allows an entire viewing audience to take pleasure in at least one of the collection’s masterpieces. Quite a handful of knee-high boots accompanied these mini skirts, pants, and dresses. The layering within the lineup provided consistency, though coherence lacked in each look. One outfit was specifically accompanied with a zebra wallet accessory, an excellent and humorous touch to the collection.

BLK DNM

Johan Lindeberg’s Fall collection triumphantly combines leather denim and a tomboy feel. The dark, grungy look totally worked for his motorcycle jackets, skirts with angled zippers, and basic, cigarette-style jeans. Those skirts with angled zippers were sexy masterpieces of BLK DNM’s season. Much appreciation goes out to Lindeberg for remembering that Fall means a time when warm clothing is preferred, i.e. tights under very, very mini skirts (Juicy Couture is forgiven, naturally). A lot of the designs are simple in color and concept, but – Hey! – they actually came out exceptionally well. BLK DNM’s lineup is adequate evidence that a designer does not need to outdo themselves with obscure patterns, color blocks, and ridiculous layers to be successful at New York Fashion Week (Lela Rose, take notes).

Red Valentino

This year’s collection is inspired by the age-old fable, “Hansel and Gretel” (Because aren’t European fairy tales already inspiring everything else we know and love?). Red Valentino’s Fall collection portrays the more traditional, less glamorized-by-Hollywood version of the story. The dresses are generally floral in design and folkloric in concept, with an obvious attention to detail. The jackets are plain, but were designed with sophistication that demands such a basic scheme. The floral trim on the shoes, the miniscule patterns on the dresses, and the overall complexity of each look’s designs gives the entire collection a youthful, innocent appearance. The knee-high stockings are a nice touch, along with the individual snatches that accompany each outfit. The only concern with the entire collection (and it is truly painful to even critique upon such a wonderfully put together lineup) is its borderline tacky shoes with statement roses. There are only about four, so the entire collection is not compromised, but drag its appeal down.