8 fall fashion trends – presented by Asian designers

There was a time when impeccable French or Italian ladies owned ‘Fashion’. Now fashion is occupied by young street bloggers from all over the world, and they certainly affect the designers.

Joseph Altuzarra said his Fall/Winter 2016 show was about “trying different things not necessarily connected.” It may sum up the whole mood of the season. Don’t expect the reserved color and classic silhouette of autumn. All year long, visual stimuli – from fabric to pattern to colors – overwhelmed the runways, distancing from Instagram-unfriendly minimalism. It may reflect the overall fashion industry’s desperate effort to break the ancient mould, to embrace the new generation dwelling in the virtual world, and to respect the diversity around them. Now we see more ethnicities on the runway and behind the curtain than ever, as well as a variety of dress patterns.

1. Be friends with Metallic

You may be cautious about metallic, especially if you feel shy about glitter and dazzle. This, however, is the season to adopt metallic pleated skirts and/or upholstery patterns into your daily wear. Opening Ceremony, the torch-bearer of New York cool, presents the effortlessly chic way to wear silver.

Opening Ceremony

Andrew Gn

Opening Ceremony

Derek Lam

2. Powersuit for Gentlewomen

Designers have found a way to balance feminine sensuality with traditionally masculine tailoring and patterns. In the mood of empowerment, Phillip Lim presented the quirky lady boss’ lookbook, and Vera Wang was inspired by real fencing jackets to create working women’s armors. Jason Wu, the master of posh elegance, showed the right shades of gray as well.

3.1 Phillip Lim

Vera Wang

3.1 Phillip Lim

Jason Wu

3. Mix the Pattern, Wear the World

Vivienne Tam said, “it’s about sharing the culture of the world, bringing cultural harmony,” and true to her words, her show brought Central Asian patterns to Western tailoring. From traditional embroidery to the contradicting mix-and-match, designers went wild with the patterns this season.

Vivienne Tam

Altuzarra

Vivienne Tam

Anna Sui

4. Shoulder is the new Sexy

Off-the-shoulder, one-shoulder, sweater dress with holes on shoulders, short cape and unique sleeves: Designers were obsessed with shoulders this season. There’s an element of sensuality in every woman’s shoulders, and Prabal Gurung captured it beautifully.

Prabal Gurung

Jason Wu

Prabal Gurung

Barbara Bui

5. Velvet, isn’t it lovely

Velvet is underground no more. With victorian corsets and puffed sleeves, it cannot be more romantic. Derek Lam shows you how to apply velvet in your workwear, with reserved colors and everyday cuts. Anna Sui then confidently uses velvet all over with bright neon colors. Try a piece to change the tone of your daywear, or drape yourself for dramatic effect.

Derek Lam

Anna Sui

Derek Lam

3.1 Phillip Lim

6. Feminine Flower and Romantic Lace

With delicate flower patterns, hidden laces, and flowing ruffles, you can mix summery layers into your fall clothing. Designers this season shows you how to make it work without getting questions like, ‘oh dear, aren’t you terribly cold?’ or ‘What, your house was on fire?’ For bossy workwear, refer to Altuzarra. For full on romanticism, you can always rely on Monique Lhuillier.

Altuzarra

Monique Lhuillier

Altuzarra

Monique Lhuillier

7. Candy Colors for Fall

Mustard yellow and faded pink were abundant this season. Tsumori Chisato matched all the bright jewel tones with diamond patchwork, and it surprisingly worked in fall attire. Not necessarily fruity, creamy pastel tones cam complement your edgy personality like a warm wrapper as well.

Tsumori Chisato

Opening Ceremony

Thakoon

Tsumori Chisato

8. The reason to buy a fancy hoodie: Streetwear

Streetwear has grown steadily but strongly with worldwide urban culture, and now it’s undeniably mainstream backed up by hip-hop stars, post-Jobs tech startup bros, street-loving bloggers, and the remarkable evolution of sportswear (still love you, Stella McCartney). Thakoon layered 90s grunge with tartan patterns and fashionable tracksuits, and Alexander Wang went full on with, you know, hoodies.

Alexander Wang

Thakoon

Alexander Wang

Thakoon

With all the surprises and eye-rollings and applauds, this season was nothing if not fun. Isn’t it what we all want with fashion, to have fun in our otherwise repetitive daily routine? You don’t need to replace your whole wardrobe with velvet and silver, just adopt a piece you’ve never tried before. I guarantee you’ll have fun.

(Photo: Courtesy of Vogue Runway)