KEY POINTS:
As we're poised on the edge of our seats today, just itching for the country's main fashion event of the year to kick off, the Simply You team can't help but try and predict what might be on the proverbial menu at New Zealand Fashion Week tomorrow.
If the New York fall collections are anything to go by, we're in for a real treat of scrumptious fabrics and indulgent designs.
Deep, jewel tones of mustard, purple, orange and chocolate brown popped up again and again at February's New York Fashion Week. DKNY, Michael Kors, and Philip Lim were just a few of the designers to work this rich palette into a provoking contrast with a cooler range of tones: cream, beige and dusty grey.
Opulent fabrics and prints were also in abundance, from a labyrinth of tweeds, to sheeny draped silks and vintage brocade.
Waistlines across the board were romantically high and tight, exaggerated by a trend for fuller, puffy skirts and sleeves.
Otherwise skirts were tuliped and pants were narrow, eschewing a firm and frank farewell to the billowing tent and sack shapes of previous seasons in favour of the female hourglass.
Caroline Herrera and Michael Kors may have also provided a crystal ball glimmer into a new respectful homage to the prim and the proper.
Straight skirts and plenty of layers, including two-piece secretarial looks (and tongue in cheek attitude), took to the runways.
Country bumpkin chic was also played out in full pomp and glory at the two shows, which translated into an edgier leafy outdoors look on the runway at DKNY.
Dresses and coats, reminiscent of the short and belted medieval minstrel, were fused with slouchy berets and modern sheeny fabrics.
Gazing towards Marc Jacobs makes me think the cool nonchalance of the eighties might make its way through again, with various bents on the full tutu skirt and cheeky tee.
Colours were more pop art in tone at Marc, boldly accenting his otherwise dark collection.
Dressier styles seem to be refusing to relinquish the metallic trend, which we've seen for several seasons now. It's not going to be subdued!
I think we can expect to see high shine metallics, possibly in slightly daintier personas as seen at Philip Lim and Michael Kors.
But enough speculation. All will be revealed over the next four days when New Zealand designers will once again prove they can foot it on the international fashion stage.
