Fashion Week Preview

Do you crave couture? Are you the type who would rather trade your cash in for fashion than watch the Superbowl? Then rejoice, because today marks the start of New York Fall Fashion Week! 7th on Sixth is putting the finishing touches on the tents at Bryant Park. Mayor Bloomberg said that the 238 fashion shows had outgrown Bryant Park and taken over the ice skating rink during prime skating season, so this is the last time fashion week will be held in Bryant Park. Fashion trends abound, but many attendees are focusing on the skinny model controversy. After models Carolina Reston and Luisel Ramos literally died from being too thin, the fashion industry is rethinking glamorizing the refugee camp look and starting to favor curves over clavicle bones. Americana is all the rage as navy, red and ivory will be patriotically peppering the runway. The silhouette of the season is a long and lean funnel, which is a departure from spring's wide and short look. Classic tailoring ala Greta Garbo is all the rage with uber-wide leg trousers paired with blouses. Compassion is in fashion as some designers like Marc Bower have stopped using any animal-based material, including leather and wool. The return of the dress is in full swing, employing artful textiles and fuller-cut '60s-like silhouettes. As far as the color de jour, Gray is the new black. Must-see shows include: Phillip Lim, Diane von Furstenberg, Proenza Schouler, Behnaz Sarafpour, Alice Roi Zac Posen, and Jovovich-Hawk (which includes Resident Evil diva, Milla Jovovich as the co-designer). Between all of the controversy and the hot new styles, this year's Fall Fashion Week is sure to be one-to-watch.