Top Designers Reveal the New Trends

The fashion houses have spoken and it's time to spread the word on the latest fashion trends for this coming autumn/winter.

Over the knee high boots have featured strongly in Jean Paul Gaultier, Louis Vuitton and Chloe collections. Featuring heavily in fashion icon magazines such as Vogue, the knee high boots appears in a variety of different forms from being made of suede, patent or bound leather.

Furthermore Dolce and Gabbana and Alexander Mcqueen have both been working on the art of optical illusion, developing unique prints that replicate feathers and fur. Feathers and tartan textiles are most definitely in this season.

Capes, shawls and cloaks are also big on the catwalk, from long flowing designs to shorter more practical bolero style designs with Ralph Lauren and Valentino adding a touch class and elegance to their creations.

Gucci has further developed their bohemian look that picks up on Russian folk characteristics as well as luxury rock and roll elements. Their collection featured tasseled and fringed boots, coin belts, paisley prints and large shirts, combined with tousled hair and dark eye makeup.

Another trend that has already taken off is ripped and worn garments, possibly showing a return back to the grunge trends of the late nineties. Ripped tights and ripped acid stained denim were present in Christopher Kanes spring summer collection but look to be retaining their popularity for the winter season. Dolce and Gabbana featured this trend in both their male and female designs.

Combined with the grunge look military fashion has consistently appeared in many winter collections following on from the rock chick look and a sense of masculinity. Chanel have included several military embellished jackets and waistcoats in their designs.

Men fashion trends continue to follow the traditional conservative lines of seasons past though not without innovation.

Classic design continues to dominate the male catwalk shows with the 1920's and 30's as well as the recession greatly contributing to overall design. Chanel suits had a strong presence sharply tailored, with broad shoulders and a double breast. Giorgio Armani has also opted to feature waistcoat and necktie combinations. Pinstripe and herringbone textiles are both in for the winter season, and it is recommended to pair them with solid-colored cufflinks.

For the spring/summer 2010 collections some designers have opted for exposing upper arms and giving new twists on the gladiator sandal. Many of the designers chose a travel theme, Vivienne Westwood's Milan show was inspired by pirates of the high seas. But Prada, Gucci and Misoni as well as Dolce and Gabbana continued to display what they do best, classic fitting fine suits coupled with skinny neck tie, v-neck sweaters and pristine cufflinks, focusing on toned down palettes of gray and white. Roberto Cavalli opted to tackle the economic crisis with a powerful blast of yellows pinks and greens on trousers, leather jackets and patent shoes. His collection also featured leather worked trousers, ripped textiles, military style shoulder embellishments and cowboy boots. The prevalence of the skinny tie in his collection was the only reminder that the fashion industry is going through tough times.