Now that the G20 summit has come to a close, many will turn to its findings for answers on how the world economy will fare as the year progresses. I, myself, feel this is stupid. With the close of Ready-to-Wear Fall ’09 European fashion weeks in March, I’m already fully informed on the continuing financial shit-storm the world is undergoing.
As I delineated in Fashion Forecast Part One, fashion week collections are good measures on the economy and consumer behavior for the season to come. And I as witnessed the collections of American designers via Style.com, it became clear that at least for the U.S. our current economy pressures would continue. Now having browsed through the collections of European brands it is also clear that they are feeling the heat of economic meltdown across the pond.
The two most apparent trends shared by both U.S. and Euro designers were darker palates and work-appropriate separates. There the similarities diverge. Instead of the loose draping, layering and textures we saw at Donna Karen, Michael Kors and Proenza Schouler tailoring and wearability were the emphasis in London, Paris and Milan. Not to say that U.S. brands aren’t tailored or wearable: rather, International collections were strikingly so.
Striking because Jil Sander, Dries Van Noten, MaxMara and Stella McCartney (to name a few) took ordinary pieces like jackets, blouses and trousers and revived them with exquisite craftsmanship. Unlike American designers who created less dynamic, but more sellable pieces as if it were a chore, the Europeans saw the economic climate as an opportunity to work their craft. Instead of glitz and glam on display as in seasons past, designers hunkered down to meet the economic challenge of creating collect financial pitfalls and shop.
Of course those women that can’t help the urge will not find themselves spending thousands of dollars on frivolous clothes. Again, wearabilty was key. The European collections were full of pieces that are relatable/practical with an amplified chic factor that pushed the ordinary perceptions of fit and structure.
So while American brands either dumbed down their products or tried too hard to makes something out of crazy patterns, Euro designers pushed innovation. And innovation weathers the storm. Regardless of the G20’s findings, this fashion forecast has European Designers coming out ahead of Americans at year’s end. Sorry, Obama, it’s too late for U.S. clothing companies to benefit from your stimulus package. Maybe when fashion week rolls around in September, spring 2010 will look more promising.
— Bernadette Ulsamer
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