It's Fashion Week Month again!

Jason Wu, Fall 2009

Yessiree, the fashion shows are coming fast and furious, in spite of the sad state of the economy. There are lots of new names (or, new to me) in New York, like Altuzarra, Bibhu Mohapatra, and Koi Suwannagate although it appears from the photos that many designers are electing to show clothes at showrooms, rather than on the runway, which is more expensive, and the collections are smaller. Good luck, all y'all.

L'Wren Scott, Fall 2009

I can't keep up with all the shows, but I did check in to see what Jason Wu, now famous for designing Michelle Obama's inaugural gown, was up to. He produced lots of looks for a chic first lady. I also scanned enough collections to notice a trend toward longer skirts (check out L'Wren Scott's collection; yummy!). Thank heaven, it's time the world stopped being young Hollywood's gynecologist.

Kinder Aggugini, Fall 2009

I looked at one of the London collections because the name caught my eye: Kinder Aggugini. He did a multi-season collection, showing floral chiffon dresses with boots and coats. Very nice.

Do check out Style.com's full screen option for viewing the collections, the clothes are shown in great detail.

Someone needs a nice cup of tea.

I browse the coverage of London Fashion Week more for teh crayzee than for the clothes because -- and hats off to them -- British designers are generally the least restrained and commercial. But this season I didn't just find teh crayzee, I found teh crayzee and the depressed. Good lord, there were just acres of dense, light-absorbing, soul-sucking black in styles I can only describe as prison matron fetish burhka.

And here's the thing -- If fashion reflects the zeitgeist, what do these designers know that we don't know? Did a memo circulate through their workshops stating "the End is Near and we ain't kidding?" Is the British economy taking a nose dive? Has Kate Moss' coke supply been cut off, or Pete Doherty's heroin been cut with too much baby laxative, thus impeding the flow of fabulousness to the New(est) Swinging London? Are the designers all morning the loss of Posh and Becks to L.A.? Are there no doctors in London writing prescriptions for Zoloft, Paxil, or Wellbutrin? What??

Of course, the London shows were not without their bright spots. Duro Olowu, who designed the dress that became the A-Dress-A-Day obsession, showed a colorful collection. The graduates of Central St. Martins also managed to put out some bright, if curiously covered up, garments. But meanwhile, I think a cheer-the-f*ck-up British fashion designer intervention is in order.


The designers, top to bottom, are Biba, Jens Laugesen, Burberry (who actually showed in Milan), Gareth Pugh and Nathan Jenden.