We may be in the grip of winter but top fashion designers around the world are warming us up with their Spring/Summer 2010 collections.  Last season echoed the recession with stylish depression-era chic clothing, minimalism in the garments and extravagance in the faux-jewels.  What does 2010 have in store for us?

Well, ye-haw and ride em’ cowboy! Dolce & Gabbana rocked the runways in Milan with a western inspired collection that included as many aspects of the old Wild West as possible.  Denim, cowboy boots, bloomers, lace, small neck scarves, and even Native-inspired wear were trotted out in all their country-style glory.  D&G choose to span several decades of western wear; the bloomers conjure up images of Little House on the Prairie while the short ruffled denim mini dress captures the fashion glory of the 80s.

One would think that soft, flowing materials and a calming, pale pallet of colors would make for a very pretty and dainty collection.  Emilio Pucci, however, works his magic to make soft and pretty into strong and fierce. Maybe it’s the reoccurring snakeskin pattern that keeps showing up in the collection or maybe it’s the glint of metallic used in unexpected places; whatever the reason, Pucci showed Milan fashion week attendees that pretty can also be femme fatal. 

Alexander McQueen also proved to be fond of snakeskin, but instead of clothing with hints of it like Pucci’s creations, McQueen choose a complete saturation.  Models stomped down the runway – yes stomped; how else could they move in those massive shoes? – in mini-dresses gone wild with reptile print and color, their hair plaited in high cornrows and their facial features practically erased by white makeup.  Once again, McQueen proves that even if his collections are not red carpet staples, they are intensely daring and interesting.

Unlike most designers, Ralph Lauren is still in depression era mode, but with a wildly different take on it than last year’s glamorous 30s styles.  His models wore newsboy caps, faded pegged jeans, suspenders, and basic floral print dresses.  Lauren created an amazing trip down memory lane to celebrate the poor working class of America that survived the previous recession, giving us all hope – through fashion – that we are going to survive this recession too.  Isn’t that the true spirit of fashion?  Clothing as art?  Bravo, Ralph Lauren, for an inspirational and amazing collection!

Is there a unifying theme for spring?  Well, not really.  Designers established and new seem to be veering off the beaten path to bring us interpretations of their unique visions.  If the world’s top designers are ready to usher in the warmer months with their own personal style, we too will follow and welcome spring by throwing open our closets and letting our individuality shine through.