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What Europeans do first, Americans do next

Monday, September 8, 2008

What Europeans do first, Americans do next

I have never been a true fan of the N.Y. fashion weeks. I feel that majority of the time there is nothing new to offer, everything is very conventional and boring. When I was younger I remember the latest fashion always coming from U.S. People admired things like college shirts, Levi's jeans, Gap, Calvin Klein, Cindy Crawford and Beverly Hills 90201. U.S. had money and us Europeans were jealous of it. Even though the biggest fashion houses have always been located in Europe, the 90's streets were occupied with Nirvana obsessed grunge kids with ripped jeans, bleached hair and over sized flannel shirts. America was everywhere.

By the end of 90's the course of fashion had changed and Europe started being "cool" again. Small designers started to pop in places like Belgium, Sweden and Denmark, even in my home country, Finland. All of a sudden, underground was mainstream and determining the latest trends. By the 2000's Europeans had gained more purchasing power and many designer stores opened their doors outside of the Paris-London axis.

By viewing the fashion shows of the N.Y. Fashion Week for S/S 09 (Ready-to-wear) that started last Friday, once again there is nothing that we have not seen in Europe first. For example, Donna Karan showed us the paper bag waist pants with cropped legs - A look that has been introduced already in Paris last year and that has been very popular in Scandinavia this summer and fall. A look, that has already been brought down from runway into street style and being sold in the commercial stores with the fraction of the price of, say, Donna's work.

DKNY S/S 09 vs. Monki F/W 08




Source: Style.com

So far, the most positive surpriser of the N.Y. Fashion Week has been Alexander Wang. I still can't believe how young he is, only 24, and how at so young age he has managed to create such a strong brand under him. It truly amazes me. His collection has the rock aesthetics that really please my eye and the pieces have great detailing from head to toe. Very good work indeed, Alex!

Alexander Wang S/S 09

Source: Style.com


Tomorrow is Marc by Marc Jacobs' turn which for me personally is the one I'm awaiting the most. We'll see if Marc can pull it all together and what his vision for S/S 09 shall be.


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5 Comments:

Blogger Maria said...

Hehe, talking about bleached jeans and flannel shirts - aren't they coming back again :D Guess we're making a short trip back to the 90s then :P For my own sake I hope it really stays short -.-

September 9, 2008 at 2:42 AM  
Blogger Anna-Maria said...

Idhren: Yep we are. :) I'm not saying its bad...I actually was one of those grunge kids myself haha. Underground street style in the U.S. has always been pretty good. I just feel that nowadays US is looking more up to Europe fashion wise, whereas back in the day tables were turned. I'm by no means dissing U.S., I still love it, but I feel NY fashion week never has anything too surprising to offer. I want to be proven wrong this year! :D

September 9, 2008 at 9:29 AM  
Blogger Nina said...

Couldn't agree you more! I was in NY last spring and I didn't find anything to buy. Everything seemed to be "so last season". I was amazed! I just bought Marc Jacobs's boots, those were (and still are) almost timeless. But yes, I was disappointed.

September 9, 2008 at 1:31 PM  
Anonymous Anonymous said...

I love your comments about the fashionweek!! Pleas tell me more!

September 10, 2008 at 9:44 AM  
Blogger Anna-Maria said...

Ninav: I'm glad you agree! I was thinking maybe I will get quite a lot of bad comments after stating my opinions. NY is wonderful but I think the latest fashions can be found from Europe much faster. MJ <3

Anonymous: I'm glad you think that way! I will. :)

September 10, 2008 at 8:54 PM  

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