In spring and summer fashion styles start to get more revealing - blame it on the heat or one's desire to show off. This season, the focus is on sheer and see-through, items that keep you cool yet sexy are key. 2009's sheer pieces are a mixture of the soft and girly, to the opposite extremes of the hardcore sex-kitten. Ten standout designers are encompassing all of the 2009 key trends in their latest collections; we count them down from 10 to 1.
10/ Ruffles and bows dressed up simple silhouettes in the Spring 2009 Collection of Erin Featherstone, an American designer with a penchant for the theatrical. Look for bows at the shoulders and hips and ruffles at hemlines this season.
9/ Colour is a huge consideration for pieces in 2009. So much so that it should be listed as a trend itself. Bright colours were seen at Fashion Week including lemon yellows as demonstrated by Brian Reyes. Uptown girls and modern tea-partiers have embraced Reyes's lighter-than-air cocktail numbers and breezy day ensembles.
8/ Bohemian Style was a big hit with New Zealand native designer Rebecca Taylor who favoured peasant blouses, flowery prints and loose-fitting hippy chic in her latest designs.
7/ Indian-born designer Naeem Khan founded his eponymous label in 2003, presenting his first collection at Olympus Fashion Week in 2005. His work is ornate, intricately detailed, and best known for red-carpet gowns employing handmade fabrics. The label is carried in more than 200 stores, including Neiman Marcus, Bergdorf Goodman, and Saks Fifth Avenue.
6/ Ralph Lauren may be considered a given in the fashion world but with their latest collection fronting the harem pant paired with belts, chunky heels, and draping tops the fashion house is still at the forefront of on trend design.
5/ Zac Posen launched his namesake label at the tender age of 21. His work has gained respect for its increasingly streamlined aesthetic of forties-inflected tailoring, mermaid-esque gowns, and itty-bitty cocktail frocks.
4/ Malan Breton is the designer and creative director of Malan Breton Collection. The cinched waist is a big trend in general, but the main way it was achieved in the Breton collection this year is with high-waisted bottoms. Simple lines help achieve this look and create a very feminine silhouette.
3/ Israeli born-and-bred designer Yigal Azrouel has been taking the fashion world by storm. Everyone from Natalie Portman to Sarah Jessica-Parker have been seen in his dresses. His dramatic colour schemes and bold cuts transform the silhouette of the wearer.
2/ The daughter of Paul and Linda McCartney, Stella McCartney, was already working with fashion heavyweight Christian Lacroix in her teens. Eminently wearable and at the same time directional, McCartney's line blends sweet elements like pastel silks and ribbons with street-worthy rocker accents, like slasher tees and industrial zippers. All clothes are animal-free, including the shoes, which are outfitted from a leather-like plant derivative.
1/ Betsey Johnson is a fashion designer best known for her feminine and whimsical designs. Many of her designs are considered 'over the top' and embellished. Johnson has designed for many celebrities including Salma Hayek, Cyndi Lauper and Heather Graham.
With so many designers bringing out such a range of looks this year there is something for every budding fashionista to take on board, be it amazing accessories, funky cuts or the latest fashion shoes. 2009, we salute you.
www.secretsales.com / Images: Zac Posen
