Assuming you haven’t been living in a cave for the last month, you are likely aware that fall is in full effect, and the new wedding season has been formally kicked off by The Biebers’ second exchange of vows (because apparently one wedding isn’t enough). While no one expects non-celebrity brides to deliver extravagance at the level that celeb weddings often do, living in the age of Instagram means competition abounds in the world of weddings (even for us common folk). And though I am still not over the fact that Hailey put “Till death do us part” on her actual wedding veil, her dress is hardly the only source for gown inspo. That’s why we spoke to Azazie designer Peter Hale Cooney to get the scoop on all the wedding dress trends coming soon to an aisle near you.
Perhaps it is best to start with what trends are officially ~out~. Peter predicts that we will be saying goodbye to “frivolous and over the top accoutrements on dresses.” This, of course, means that the tired popular trend of “crystal and bead encrusted” dresses is going into hibernation. Thinking feathers? Think again. Basically, any attempt to recreate Beyoncé’s iconic Met Gala 2012 dress should be stopped in its tracks. Put the feathers and the jewels down (you too, Kim).
This does not, however, mean an end to glamour. Peter assures us, “I think we’re going to see the return of romantic dressing.” This could mean a range of styles including everything from “voluminous silhouettes to pared down, simplistic dress.” You can even hold onto the sexier vibe that brides with conservative parents on Say Yes To The Dress butt heads over, with “nods to lingerie” in your gown of choice. Hoe, but make it bridal.
Cooney also predicts plenty of “diaphanous fabrics” (I looked it up, and it means light and translucent) and “lovely lace fabrics.” Lace, in particular, is a point of emphasis in the romantic aesthetic of future wedding dresses. “Nothing says romance more than a fine lace,” Cooney adds.
Perhaps the trend I am most looking forward to seeing on my Insta feed is the return of 60s and 70s styles. Maybe it’s all the Mad Men I’ve been binging getting to my head, but a Megan Draper ensemble on a wedding aisle sounds pretty dreamy to me (even if she is the most annoying character in the show). Cooney predicts the era will manifest in details like “easy breezy shapes, long sleeves,” and “slightly rebellious ensembles.”
To the brides out there who stick their noses up at tradition, you’re in for a treat, because color may be an unconventional trend that is becoming, well, conventional. According to Peter, “color has been making its way into bridal collections for many seasons now. I think soft pastel shades incorporated into dresses are absolutely stunning.”
As for bridesmaids, another increasingly popular shift away from tradition is mixing and matching dresses. “In this day of body positivity I know brides want all the members of their party to feel as comfortable as they do beautiful. This means different dresses for different figures.” As a matter of fact, dresses may not even be a necessity anymore. Cooney boasted about all of the bridal party jumpsuits Azazie is getting ready to drop, gushing that he “love this development for bridal parties.”
All trends and traditions aside though, Peter believes first and foremost that a ceremony should be designed around the bride and groom’s own tastes. “I’m in the school of thought that there is no rule book when it comes to your big day. From venue, to ceremony, to style of dresses worn. Stick to the vision you have that reflects you and your partner best and it is sure to be an unforgettable day.”
Images: Izabelle Acheson / Unsplash; azazie / Instagram; Azazie.com
1. ’70s Chic
2. Suit Dresses
3. Sheer
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4. Tonal Ensembles
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NYFW is just around the corner and, before you know it, your Insta feed will be flooded with pics of celebs, influencers, and that girl from high school who went to Zara once and now has a fashion blog. I agree, Fashion Week can be annoying af. But it’s totally important to be in the know about everything Fashion Week so that you can stay ahead of the upcoming trends. For those of you who know little to nothing about fashion, consider this article your version of Fashion Week for Dummies. Now, you’re probably dying to know which celeb will have the honor of sitting front row next to Anna Wintour this fall? And, even more importantly, who will get a better seat at the shows: True Thompson or Stormi Webster??? (Yeah, I didn’t know that was Stormi’s last name either. Apparently, Travis Scott’s real name is Jacques Webster #themoreyouknow.) Well, I don’t have all the answers, like why the f*ck Travis Scott’s name isn’t actually Travis Scott. BUT, I do have the answers to your most basic Fashion Week questions. So let’s get to it. Here’s everything you’ve ever wanted to know about Fashion Week but were too embarrassed to ask.
Wtf Is Fashion Week, And Why Does It Matter?
Fashion Week is when the industry’s top designers present their collections for the upcoming season to the industry’s “elite.” Traditionally, this is done through the format of an actual fashion show. Although, in recent years, the formats designers are choosing to use has begun to change. (More on that later.)
When Is It?
Fashion Week happens twice a year, once in February and once in September. During this time, designers show their collections for the upcoming season. For example, this fall’s show will actually be for their collections available in spring/summer 2019. This year, Fashion Week starts on Sept. 6th with New York Fashion Week.
Why Does It Seem So Much Longer Than A Week?
Because, realistically, it’s more like Fashion Month. There are four different Fashion Weeks that each occur in four different cities: New York, London, Milan, and Paris. The location of a designer’s show or presentation is based on where he or she is from and/or where their brand is headquartered.
How Long Are The Actual Shows?
Most runway shows only go for 10-20 minutes, with about 30 to 40 looks per show. However, it’s extremely rare that any show actually ever starts on time. So yes, it’s cool to be “fashionably late.”
Who Goes?
You MUST be invited to Fashion Week. This isn’t some free-for-all where you can just walk in with the local homeless guy. And, if you actually are invited but aren’t an editor, celebrity, or fashion blogger, then you’re def not sitting front row (if you even get a physical a seat at all.) If you’re not an industry “somebody”, you’ll probs have a “standing” seat. For those commoners who can’t even score a standing “seat”, you can live stream most of the shows from home.
Why Do People Go?
Mainly, publicity. Celebs go and sit front row to either support designer friends or to promote specific brands. A la the Kardashians front row at Balmain, who are besties with Oliver Rousteing. A lot of store buyers go to Fashion Week to start envisioning their orders for the upcoming season. Editors go to forecast trends and select pieces they may want to feature in their magazines.
Why Are The Clothes In The Shows Stuff Normal People Would Never Actually Wear?
The runway shows aren’t for “normal” people. Designers present product that is relatively different than what is actually sold in store. The shows present exaggerated or more dramatic versions of what will actually be available for sale. Designers do this in order to have a greater artistic impact and present a stronger sense of the theme of the collection. It’s kind of like when you dress over-the-top hot to catch the attention of your ex at the bar.
What’s Changing?
The short answer? A lot. The format of the shows is the biggest change happening right now. Some designers are forgoing the traditional “show” format completely. Instead, some are opting for a presentation set-up where the models basically just act as mannequins. Other designers are choosing to just invite select people to their showroom. While still, others are opting for completely different settings and experiences for their “shows”, such as restaurants, styled suites, and cocktail parties.
Why The Change?
Designers are doing this to create more Instagram-friendly environments. Designers want to create more interactive experiences because, in today’s world of Instagram, they recognize that the power of their collections is its visibility on social media. They know that if their collection is all over your Insta feed, that will have a greater impact than them hosting an expensive show. Other than changing the format of their shows, some designers are changing the timing of their shows altogether. For example, Alexander Wang announcing he is leaving NYFW completely in favor of a June and December schedule, which allows for a “see now, buy now” model. Basically, designers are starting to break the traditional Fashion Week rules because the rise of social media has changed the need and exclusivity of being at an actual show.
So You’re Saying Instagram Is Causing The Demise Of Fashion Week?
I mean, it’s causing the downfall of our society, so it should come as no surprise that it’s the downfall of Fashion Week as well. *Pauses to Insta a post from this weekend.* With the fall of print media, specifically print magazines, newer generations aren’t influenced by magazines the way past generations were. Rather, they’re influenced by social media. Social media has created a newfound transparency and access between designers and consumers, and designers realize they need to capitalize on this. Not only that, but in today’s instant gratification economy, consumers want to see it now and have it now. Thus, many designers are now rolling out “see now, buy now” collections rather than showing product that won’t be available for several months. Basically, designers are breaking free from traditional Fashion Week rules in order to meet the more direct-to-consumer in today’s market climate.
Most Importantly, How Can I Go To The Parties?
Unless you’re an “elite” member of the fashion industry, it’s going to be a little more challenging than looking hot and flirting with the door guy. But, if you’re willing to strap on some balls to get there, there are a few tactics to making it happen. The most important aspect of whichever approach you choose is to act super assertive and aggressively confident. Like, even more confident and direct than back in the day when you had to present your fake that looked nothing like you to the suspicious bouncer. One way to manipulate your way into a party is by telling the door person that you’re someone famous’ niece or nephew. Like, would you know Tom Cruise’s niece if you saw her? Does he even have a niece? Idk, and I doubt the person at the door does either. Another method is to call ahead to the party or venue pretending to be your own publicist. Tell them that you want to add your client (aka yourself) to the guest list. Another idea is to pretend you work for a media company. Really get into character and make some fake business cards and wear a nice camera around your neck. You’ll probs look legit enough to just get let in. Oh, and take advantage of the nervous interns who don’t know any better. Or, show up early and tell the person at the door you’re an intern working the party. Realistically, an intern’s boss barely knows his/her name. Meaning, the door guy def won’t know your name or even who is and isn’t an intern. When none of that works? Money talks. Offer to bribe the door person. He or she works in the fashion industry, which means they make little to no money but have an addiction to nice things. Slip him or her that hundo that gets her one step closer to buying the latest Gucci sneaks and it’s super unlikely she’ll turn you down. I know I sure wouldn’t.
Images: @krisatomic / Unsplash; Giphy
Did you know we have a podcast dedicated to The Bachelor? It’s called The Betchelor podcast & it’s hilarious af. Listen & subscribe here!
If you’re enough of a card-carrying member of Bachelor Nation, you definitely follow at least a few of the former cast members on IG. If you give two shits about Rachel and Bryan, you know the couple has been flaunting their loooooove for each other all around New York City this week during Fashion Week.
Rachel spilled the deets on their relationship at the Badgley Mischka show, saying they don’t have plans to get married, yet. I mean, she did explicitly say on the show she wanted to be engaged at the end of it, and it’s not like she dumped the perfect guy for her because he didn’t want to get married right away, only for her to drag her feet about tying the knot with America’s second choice or anything…
Rach says she’s wrapping up her law practice in Texas because, you know, a lucrative law career is something you just grow out of. She and Bryan will be moving to California together to sell sunglasses on Instagram instead of maintaining real careers, I assume. I mean, it’s not like law school cost her three years of her life and tens of thousands of dollars to become a lawyer. I hear from sources my two friends in law school that the California BAR exam is one of the hardest to pass in the nation. IDK maybe she’ll practice in Cali, but that seems like a huge fucking maybe. And, I mean, would you want a woman who chose a guy with obvious cheek implants defending you in a court of law?
Anyway, back to fashion week. Would it be an annoying newly engaged gush session without showing off that giant-ass ring? OF COURSE FUCKING NOT. Rachel and Bryan were around to flash the 3-carat platinum teardrop Neil Lane diamond ring. Seems like a weird thing for Bryan to brag about since I’m pretty sure he spent zero dollars to buy it. I mean, if you get a diamond for free, does it even have any value anymore? Nah, I’m playing. It’s still fucking beautiful and I’m 100 percent jealous of it.
Here’s the real life bling @thebacheloretteabc @TheRachLindsay @BadgleyMischka with her fiancé @TheAbDoctor #NYFW pic.twitter.com/Q9sdG4CEc3
— Anne Bratskeir (@AnnieBrat) September 12, 2017
The couple likes to tell everyone they talk to that they’re “really happy”. You know, in case Peter was wondering, or anything like that.
Since last week, New York Fashion Week has been in full swing. That means we’re seeing slightly fugly avant-garde fashion, more goth makeup than usual, and a fuck ton of models on the South Beach Fat Flush, strutting runways only the rich and famous get to touch. If you’ve checked Instagram in the last two minutes, you’d see all the celebs we love to hate are flooding our feeds with flashy parties that look better than any club in Meatpacking. For the time being, using “street style” as an excuse to defend our lazy brunch outfits is forgiven. While that all remains the same every year, each season also means we’re getting a fair notice on what to start wearing so we don’t look like homeschooled jungle freaks. This is the fashion world so even though fall barely started, we’re already looking forward to seeing which knockoffs will hit the shelves of our fave chain stores next spring. From a scrunchie comeback to leaving the fierce winged liner behind to actually considering buying a camo dress, here are the biggest fashion and beauty trends from NYFW spring 2018.
1. The Return Of The Scrunchie
Mansur Gavriel officially gave the okay for scrunchies in their fall 2017 collection this NYFW. Models had very loose, effortlessly styled ponytails held back in the 90’s staple in an assortment of colors. There are two kinds of evil scrunchie people in this world: Those who swear by them, and those who refuse to wear an obnoxious band on her wrist (aka me). Regardless of who you are, designers Rachel Mansur and Floriana Gavriel have made them a thing again, granting us permission to throw our hair in the messiest of buns with these nostalgic bands and no one can judge you for it. Lexi was truly ahead of her time.
2. Say Goodbye To Winged Eyeliner
Every thot’s signature makeup look may actually be considered out of style next season. I mean, realistically, for as long as I’m living it won’t be, but Jason Wu says otherwise so I’ll roll with it if it helps him sleep at night. He wanted his models to imitate the perfect vacay glow with freshly bronzed foundation and fake freckles, finished with a uniquely shaped liner. A “fingerprint” is used to best describe it. I guess you put your thumb in some eyeshadow, stamp each side of your eyes, and bam. Winged eyeliner, meet edgier “I’m blackout in 5 minutes” rounded liner.
3. Pastels And Floral
A major trend seen on the runways this season was flirty hues of pinks, yellows, and purples, along with delicate floral print. Flowers for spring? Groundbr—fuck it, you all know the quote. After the moodiness of fall, clothing will start to liven up, turning into pastel shades that aren’t too loud with faint patterns of floral and flattering stripes. Take Trina Turk’s collection for an example. It honestly looks like Lilly Pulitzer 2.0, but better because every basic sorority girl hasn’t gotten to it (yet).
4. More Street Style, Even More Camouflage
Rave-esque colors are def going to be a thing next season, so this is my fair warning that every Forever 21 will soon look like Electric Daisy Carnival puked in it. I’m talking neon yellow dresses (honestly, gross), fuchsia pink pants, and cobalt blue tops. Take that and incorporate a dash of Kendall Jenner’s famed street style game, and you have the upcoming Kendall + Kylie spring collection.
View the Kendall + Kylie Spring 2018 collection in full: https://t.co/UTZiiYjpZM pic.twitter.com/9CPMjEs29O
— Vogue Runway (@VogueRunway) September 8, 2017
While the two have some weird bright colored mesh pieces, they also couldn’t leave out their infamous casual wear of booty-hugging jeans, plunging bodysuits, and camo accents. Unfortunately, they weren’t the only two to add camouflage to their collection so I guess this means we’re all going to look like wannabe upstate hicks.
5. CEO And Corporate Hoes
… was my favorite sorority mixer theme when I was young, fun, and cool in college. I guess all outfits I wore to channel my inner Risky Business weren’t a complete and utter embarrassment waste of time. Literally, almost every designer, including Tom Ford, has made it a point to add sexy business casual to their collection. Maybe to spice things up in the office a bit, maybe to encourage infidelity in the workplace… IDK. But, it is obvious that fitted suits, low-rise trousers, and oversized blazers will be an even better excuse to thot it up right after work (not that you ever needed one).
^^^I think your HR rep would literally choke if you showed up to work in this.
In case you haven’t noticed a significant increase in “candid” blogger outfit photos on your Instagram feed, it’s currently New York Fashion Week. For those of you who think that NYFW doesn’t affect you, think again. (Yeah, I’m about to go Miranda Priestly on your asses, so buckle up.) Fashion Week determines which designs Forever 21 and Zara are going to do a shitty job of ripping off next season, so you better pay attention this week because these are the outfits you’re going to have to buy when you’re searching for a last-minute addition to your collection of going out clothes. Here are some of the worst looks from the first weekend of New York Fashion Week to mentally prepare you for what’s to come.
1. The Row
The Row sent a model out in a literal Snuggie and I’m feeling pretty conflicted. On one hand, I think this is the ugliest effing gown I’ve ever seen. On the other hand, if this means I can start wearing a Snuggie in public, I’m very on board.
2. Christian Cowan
While I’m really excited to see that Christian Cowan is trying to make small dogs as accessories a thing again, I don’t think any of us will be hopping on the tweed chaps trend anytime soon. Just looking at this outfit is making my thighs chafe.
3. Alexander Wang
Usually, Alexander Wang can do no wrong. However, this look is a total miss. Bella looks like a drunk member of a bachelorette party who just wrestled with her dress for five minutes in a bathroom stall after peeing. I mean, maybe that’s an unfair criticism. If “drunk girl screaming ‘it’s my birthday!!’ and trying to get a free Fireball shot” is the look Wang was going for, this hits the nail on the head.
4. Fenty x Puma
The Fenty x Puma collection is another typically untouchable line, but even Rihanna can’t expect us to watch a model strut down a runway in snow pants and a bucket hat without raising a brow. I’m sure that the first time Rih actually wears this out, we’ll all be obsessed with it, but for now, this is bringing back memories of all the worst wedgies from childhood.
5. Tom Ford
I’m all for wearing as much denim as physically possible, but this Tom Ford look might just be where I draw the line. Like, I’ll probably try to wear the infamous Britney Spears patchwork denim dress to my wedding, but this denim on denim on denim with a white pointed toe is still too much for me.
It’s New York Fashion Week aka the one 67th time per year when fashion designers gather in some world capitol to show off the latest trends since the last time there was a fashion week. There are a lot of questions surrounding this mysterious event, like “how many pounds of cocaine are ingested by the models?” and “how can I get in?” We already tackled one hard-hitting question: what the fashion industry does when it’s not fashion week, so for NYFW we set our sights on a bigger issue. Fashion designers and models: What do they know? Do they know things? Let’s find out.
In pursuit of this truth we sent Ashley Austin Morris, our Betch on the Street, to ask the uncomfortable questions. Things like “Who is Kellyanne Conway?” and “Will building a wall between the U.S. and Mexico make it harder for models to do key bumps in the bathroom?” For answers to these important questions and more, check out the video!
After what feels like a full minute since the last one, NYFW has arrived! This is the week when the fashion industry’s top designers, models and photographers gather to celebrate the latest trends in clothing and accessories. It’s basically the best week of the year, which is amazing because there are officially now only two weeks of the year that aren’t fashion week. That made us curious, what exactly does the industry do when it’s not celebrating itself in a trendy world capital? We launched an investigation and talked to the top names in fashion to find out.
“There are thousands of photographs taken at every fashion week, which means the bulk of time in between fashion weeks is spent scrolling through pictures and clapping for each of the models as if they were still walking down the runway. This is an important ritual that can take up to 18 hours per day.” — Anna Wintour
“Coping with the fact that it’s not fashion week is something that no designer should have to do alone. That’s why we all gather in between the London, Paris, New York and Milan events to hold hands and watch Michael Kors weep uncontrollably.” — Kate Spade
“Just because the fashion industry acknowledges that sometimes it’s not fashion week, doesn’t mean we have to accept it. We hope to eventually live in a world where every day is fashion day. That’s actually my greatest wish, followed by world peace.” — Kendall Jenner
“After a full day, the fact that it’s not fashion week gets to be pretty exhausting. That’s why in the ’80s Calvin Klein began the tradition of hosting fake fashion weeks in his apartment so people didn’t go insane. He’s credited with saving the industry by many in the inner circle.” — Heidi Klum
“Not fashion week? I don’t understand the question.” — Marc Jacobs
