After Fashion Month ended on Tues., Oct. 1, it is time to look back at the latest trends and developments within the world of designer fashion. 

Fashion Month is a bi-annual worldwide event, and its purpose is for fashion designers to launch their latest collections and showcase next season’s trends to fashion editors, product buyers and A-list celebrities. In March, fall/winter fashion is presented, and in September new styles are introduced for the upcoming spring/summer season.

Fashion Month combines four separate fashion weeks held in the world’s top fashion capitals: New York City, London, Milan and Paris. Because of its international following, each fashion week sets trends not only for that particular city, but for the entire fashion world.

On Fri., Sept. 6, New York City officially kicked off Fashion Month with shows from Brandon Maxwell, Khaite, Tibi, and more. Precision tailoring and classic colors like black, white and beige played key roles in most collections, making corporate-chic a major trend. Tommy Hilfiger and Coach implemented Americana-inspired details; Hilfiger's collection used red, white and blue plaid and Coach's used "I Heart NY" shirts. New York Fashion Week brought new styles that can be worn to and from the office, perfect for summer-in-the-city dressing.

From Sept. 13 to 17, London hosted the next Fashion Week. In London, a similar office theme was present; many collections included monochromatic power suits and sophisticated dresses. Because these looks are for the spring and summer season, darker colors were paired with pastel accents, heavy sweaters were paired with silky slip materials and complex tops were paired with short, simple bottoms. By combining timeless styles with refreshed features, designers such as 16Arlington, Emilia Wickstead and Standing Ground introduced a modern workwear dress code.

In Milan, the updated office attire trend continued. Bottega Veneta, Ferrari and Etro presented business-professional collections in rich, jewel-toned color palettes, while Fendi and Alberta Ferretti presented office looks with delicate materials and airy silhouettes. A new trend that emerged on Milan’s runways was office-athleisure styles. Button-up shirts and tailored blazers were paired with matching biker shorts at Tod’s. Trench coats and office totes were styled with ballet flats and leotards at Ferragamo. Nike even made a cameo at The Attico, pairing elegant overcoats with gym socks and running shoes.

Paris Fashion Week closed out Fashion Month on Tues., Oct. 1. With businesswear still heavily prevalent, Parisian designers utilized more black, white and neutral colors and opted for thinner materials and warm-weather outfits. Hermès, Loewe and Cecilie Bahnsen presented sheer dresses worn over simple base layers and featured floral patterns and embellishments. Chanel and Gabriela Hearst offered loosely knit and crocheted textiles, furthering the modern, lightweight and effortless approach to business attire.

At Concordia, some students put considerable thought into creating well-planned outfits. “Putting together an outfit is a way to visually express how I’m feeling,” freshman Mandie Lorang said. Lorang said she enjoys how fashion both expresses and influences emotions. “I always feel more myself and more confident when I’ve picked an outfit that I like,” Lorang said. 

Other students enjoy the act of picking out an outfit. “I grew up with an appreciation for clothing [... and] to me styling an outfit is an art,” Daisy Mezak said. Mezak’s favorite part of planning an outfit is accessorizing with rings and shoes for a personal touch.

Fashion enthusiasts gather outfit inspiration from various sources, and keeping up-to-date on Fashion Month is a common way to brainstorm outfits. “A few of my favorite [designers] to see are Chanel, Gucci, Dior and Ralph Lauren,” Mezak said. 

Fashion Month can still spark creative styling even for those who aren’t actively following the runway shows. “I’m not particularly interested in all the rules of high fashion, but I appreciate the creativity and their new innovations,” Lorang said. 

For more designers’ latest innovations and runway highlights, visit vogue.com/fashion-shows for full Fashion Month photos and reviews.

Tags: fall

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About Audrey Kaufman

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