Top 10 trends on the New York catwalk
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New York fashion week wrapped Thursday with designers unable to agree on the season, the future of the runway in jeopardy and anti-Donald Trump political outrage palpable. As the global fashion circus now flits to Europe with fashion week beginning in London on Friday, before moving onto Milan and Paris, here are the top 10 trends that New York offered this season:
Politics
There was no escaping the specter of Donald Trump, with America's cultural elite upset that Hillary Clinton, much admired in the fashion industry, lost the election and angry over the first chaotic weeks of his presidency. Public School parodied his "Make America Great Again" hats, Mara Hoffman opened with a manifesto from protest organizers and Nepal-raised Prabal Gurung sent models out in protest feminist T-shirts.
White bandanas, intended to promote tolerance, were ubiquitous, included in invitations from Calvin Klein and worn by models at Tommy Hilfiger. Many designers distributed buttons in support of Planned Parenthood.
Bigger is beautiful
After years of complaints that stick-thin models do not reflect the average woman, plus-size models took to the catwalk. Ashley Graham -- self-proclaimed body activist and the first plus-size model to appear on the cover of Vogue -- walked for Michael Kors, who complained last season that larger models on the catwalk were not possible logistically.
Gurung, who has designed a line of clothes for plus-size label Lane Bryant, led the way earlier in the week by sending out Candice Huffine and Marquita Pring. All three wore looks intrinsic to the rest of the collections.
Taboo busters
Breast cancer survivors modeled lingerie or dared to bear all for AnaOno, a label that designs for women who have had mastectomies, breast reconstruction or breast surgery, in a bid to raise awareness for the disease Downs Syndrome model from Australia, Madeline Stuart, who has also sought to confound stereotypes in the beauty industry, debuted her own fashion label.
The hijab
Mere weeks after Trump temporarily banned travelers from seven Muslim majority countries, the hijab made a statement this season. Somali-American Halima Aden, 19, walked for Kanye West's Yeezy Season 5, while Indonesia's Anniesa Hasibuan returned for a second consecutive season with a hijab-only show styled with iridescent gowns fit for a princess.
Power dressing
Tory Burch offered a Katharine Hepburn-inspired collection for the powerful woman. Victoria Beckham came into her own with menswear given a sexy, feminine edge with statement boots and flat men's style shoes with a pointy toe.
Diversity
Quintessential American brand Ralph Lauren offered a nomadic-inspired collection, with shimmering gold lame, snake-skin wedge sandals and silky sheaths with billowing trains. Belgian designer Raf Simons made his Calvin Klein debut inspired by the diversity of American culture, from traditional quilting to Art Deco and the wild west.
Indian designer Bibhu Mohapatra said his muses were women throughout the world, while Chilean designer Maria Cornejo used models from 16 different countries from Uganda to the Dominican Republic.
Bella Hadid
The model younger sister of Gigi is having a moment. The daughter of Dutch-American model Yolanda Foster and Palestinian American Mohamed Hadid, she wowed on the catwalk from Ralph Lauren to Anna Sui to Oscar de la Renta. The girlfriend of singer The Weeknd also features in a string of lucrative campaign ads for the likes of Bulgari, DKNY and Moschino.
Velvet
Luxurious and warm for fall/winter 2017, velvet was everywhere -- velvet boots, velvet track pants and velvet capes at Anna Sui; and gowns at Marchesa. Furs were also prominent, as were capped shoulders or strapless gowns.
New horizons
Marc Jacobs made his models walk the runway in silence and asked guests to refrain from whipping out mobile phones until the last minute. Zac Posen said changing times called for a new approach and threw a photo exhibition to create a conversation. Vera Wang is to release her collection by video and Sophie Theallet commissioned an online photo campaign.
New York losing its touch?
Fashion week was noticeable for its absentees: Tommy Hilfiger went to Los Angeles, as did Rebecca Minkoff. Vera Wang is to release a video at the beginning of Paris fashion week and Rodarte is going to Paris. Next season, Lacoste will stay in France and cutting edge New York label Proenza Schouler is also joining the exodus in moving to Paris. (AFP)
Photos: Catwalkpictures