Spring 2009 is bringing out the Jekyll and Hyde of fashion as half of the popular designers are sending muted tones, flowing fabrics and dreamy muses down the runway and the other half is lighting up the catwalk with bold colors, architectural forms, and sky-high platform shoes.  Both camps, however, are carrying over winter’s celebration of the female form by showing it off instead of obscuring it.  Even the more whimsical designers like Betsey Johnson (who seemed to be inspired by Alice in Wonderland) and Comme de Garcon (whose black cocoon creations were more art than attire) are drawing attention to the curve of the hip, the angle of the shoulder, and length of the leg. 

This spring, there is something for every woman

The minimalist will appreciate the grown up take on boho chic as seen in the Prada and Alexander McQueen collections.  Fabrics are relaxed, wrinkled, textured, and flowing.  Skirts drop below the knee and in most cases, cut off around the ankles.  Tops show off the shoulders by hanging off them or holding on with a wide strap.  White, beige, off-white and lavender makes the look refreshing, cool, and sophisticated.  Contrast is created with slight color variations as opposed to patterns and the cut of each piece of clothing flows seamlessly into the other to create a dreamy, almost mystical look. 

Caroline Herrerra and Anna Sui inspire the spring’s fashionista that craves something more down to earth and colorful.  Dresses, suits, and cropped pants have bold colors like royal blue and orange and large but simple patterns.  Last season’s A-line is more relaxed but still a little structured as it flows over the hips and down the body. 

The extremist’s muse is Calvin Klein and Balenciaga whose shiny fabrics and futuristic designs appear to be borrowed from a sci-fi movie set.  White and silver kept with the muted tones of the season while the stiff architectural cuts were used to accentuate the figure, dramatizing the shoulders and hips with puffed sleeves and skirts that flared out prominently just below the waist.

Whether your style is minimalist, mainstream or futuristic, some dominant trends are emerging this spring. We are seeing plenty of updated classics such as pantsuits with cropped pants and jackets without buttons and evening gowns with a horizontal ruffle down the bodice instead of tiers of ruffles down the skirt; the fashions that defined women continue to be made over and modernized. A lot of sheer fabrics are used, both individually and layered.  Pants are cropped mid calf.  A definite season highlight is the shoes.  This spring, shoes move from a supporting role into the spotlight.  In the past a woman’s shoe was used to complete her outfit.  Now, the shoe competes with her outfit! In fact, many of spring’s fashions seem to be more simplistic as to not overshadow their towering, platformed, and complicated counterparts.  Materials such as cork, metal studs, and wood are used in these rounded, open toed marvels. 

Enjoy the comfortable, dressed up casual look of spring 2009.  As we all know, as the seasons change, so do the fashions. As the weather warms up, enjoy the sun and the clothes as you strut in your fabulous shoes and look forward to the surprises the designers have in store for us this winter.