Betsy Johnson, known for her over-the-top design aesthetic, did not disappoint fans this year with her high-energy and brightly-colored clothes. Johnson's line had electric tones like neon yellow and bright orange in some garments that you would be hard pressed to find on anyone outside of a runway show. While a hot pink faux-fur jacket was featured, some of Johnson's pieces also showed a slightly more sophisticated side to her with some very wearable cocktail dresses thrown in the mix of blinding pinks.
Popular New York designer Marc Jacobs knows how to put on a show. His collection was presented in what looked like the ruins of an ice castle, designed by Jacobs' artist friend, Rachel Feinstein. The looks were mostly bulky, oversize blazers and pea coats, wide-brimmed fur hats and scarves fastened by palm-sized safety pins. Crazy maybe, and not exactly the next styles we'll expect to see gracing Seton Hall's campus, but Jacobs' collections are always interesting, flamboyant and like nothing ever seen before.
Tory Burch's fall 2012 collection feels like the American answer to Chanel – clean cut, bearing sophisticated patterns and always distinctively feminine. Burch's pieces include pastel blouses, belted frocks, chic knee-length skirts and high-collared sweaters. For college fashionistas looking to ace an internship interview, they are office appropriate, yet the colors and patterns help them stand out from the corporate crowd.
For formal wear this fall, try print dresses like Naeem Kahn's belted v-neck. The Indian-born designer's ready-to-wear collection, which featured black, white and cream-colored dresses as well as full-length rompers, shone brightly as the starry backdrop. When wearing formal wear, be bold, because color is easy, but print is hard.
Gorgeous colorblocking defined the BCBG MAXAZRIA fall 2012 runway show. Popular colors slated to trend in the fall are bright cobalt blue, green, purple and coral mixed with basic neutrals such as black, white and mocha. Most of the pieces in the show were elegant silk or chiffon shift dresses with geometric colorblocks that made a statement. These bold dresses were paired with leather, wool and fur for stylish warmth.
The designer most known for her wedding dress collections, Vera Wang, once again wowed audiences with her contemporary and interesting pieces. Unlike some designers, Wang's clean lines and modern finishes keep her clothes fresh and interesting, but ensure that they are always far from ordinary. Wang's collection reflected the periwinkles and light blue themes that also graced the runways of Jenny Packham, Carolina Herrera and Carlos Miele.
Erin Bell can be reached at erin.bell@student.shu.edu.
Alyana Alfaro can be reached at alyana.alfaro@student.shu.edu.
Charlotte Lewis can be reached at charlotte.lewis@student.shu.edu.
