For many, the return of fall signifies the resurgence of football season, cooler temperatures, and shorter days. For the fashion industry, conversely, the turning of the leaves has long been an opportunity for reinvention. Inevitably, with the changing of the seasons, comes a change in wardrobe. This year – though pervaded with the foreboding of an economic downturn – is no different.
Flocks of New York’s most polished still delighted in the ecstasy that is Fashion Week. Consequently, the horde of fall trends that saturated Bryant Park, have finally made their way to Richmond Fashion conscious stores like Carytown’s Need Supply Co. and Eurotrash, along side Rumors Boutique and Kulture.
This fall, ’80s fashion dominated the runways. As a general rule, I am anti-1980s revival. It usually means an onslaught of shoulder pads, neon spandex, plastic jewelry and Cosby sweaters. In short a barrage of trends that should, in my opinion, stay firmly concealed in the past.
But when an 80s renaissance entails cool kids, punk music and scenesters, it can move even the most stubborn of protesters. Because, as I’m told, “rules are meant to be broken,” and nothing says miscreant quite like studded leather jackets, band tees and destroyed denim.
Perhaps this season’s revolt was an homage to the decade that birthed Madonna, Glam Metal and MTV, or in anticipation of the upcoming biopic “The Runaways,” but at Fall 2009’s Fashion Week, when designers propelled their models down the catwalk, it was in boot stomping rebellion.
Leave it to the fashion industry to turn even the most dismal of occasions into a reason to shop. It’s no secret that the industry has been seriously and detrimentally affected by the ailing economy. But it seems fashion’s caretakers have had enough.
So, instead of gripping visual commentaries on the state of the country and the seemingly never-ending war, designers alternatively lashed out at their continued anguish. Balmain’s Christophe Decarnin, Alexander Wang and Helmut Lang channeled queen of rock and roll and 1980’s bad-girl, Joan Jett.
Designers threw caution to the wind; challenging critics and skeptics alike with bold, unapologetic statements of mutiny and insurgency. Overall this fall’s countless leather-clad collections screamed “I don’t give a damn about my bad reputation.