NEEM Magazine

by,  Benish A. Shah, Editor-in-Chief

Welcome to the cool weather with warm colors.  Fall fashion is about being smart about money, getting the right pieces, recycling what you have – and buying one or two critical pieces that will last you through the season.  We scoured Fashion Week and Couture Week to determine this season’s style, and here is what NEEM found were the best trends for our South Asian American fashionistas!

STRUCTURED LEATHER

Not the biker bar look my dears, but the structured controlled look of a woman who knows her style.  This season’s must have can be worn with jeans, a little black dress, or over a sexy gown right before you check that jacket in.  From Alexander Wang to Balmain (on left), designers loved this trend of leathers, buckles, and zippers. Interesting tidbit:  It’s not necessarily about REAL LEATHER… this economy-savvy season is all about the FAUX.

DRAPED BAGS
Put that serious bag away, because with your structured leather – you don’t want a structured leather bag.  Instead, this Fall is all about sensous draped bags that provide a feminine flair for the Fall.  It provides a whimiscal spin to the too-serious economic situation.  NEEM favorite:  Viktor & Rolf’s Draped Clutch.

BORDEAUX CHIC

Lace, tulle, sheer fabrics of all type take centerstage in Fall 2009 fashion trends. These aren’t the fabrics used to create the Vitoria’s Secret line, these are the fabrics used by Fendi and Balenciaga to create intricately draped corsets that adorn curvy bodies this Fall.  Now, South Asian women need not shy away from this trend – we’re not asking you to parade around in your sexy new lingerie.  What we are saying is:  have a little fun with the lace, make a statement, and remember it’s okay to look hot.  How to translate it from the runway to real life, we recommend an evening dress ala Carolina Herrera (left).

The Perefect Warmth
A-line coats, trenches, vests, and double breasted coats are the critical investment pieces this Fall, not only because they are beautiful – but because they are PRACTICAL for the weather (unless, dear reader, you are in Miami, in which case, please avoid this trend!). In an unstable economy, the provide warmth and double as a cinching style piece.  Even off beat designers known for runway risks – such as Prada and YSL – chose to send exquisitely fit coats down the runway alongside the tailored trenchcoats of Burberry. If you are going to truly splurge on something this season, it would be these coats – they will last you for years to come!

Studded Lines or Circles
Another critical trend this season is the studded anything.  From metal on pants to metal on shoes and bags, this Fall 2009 fashion essential is all in the details.  Remember, the base for this Fall’s hottest trends are “heavy metal” and “rock redux.”  So play it up – when else can you do crazy “tacky” looks while actually being stylish?!  Just don’t go overboard… only one studded piece per outfit please! Keep it classy like this Tory Burch studded bag on the left.