September: the start of the fashion year

You may be wondering why September is such a big month for fashion. After all, it's when magazines are at their heaviest (Vogue weighs in this month at 4 pounds!), the covers always await unveiling, and, there was even a documentary made about magazines during this month!

So what's the big deal?

September hosts S/S fashion shows for the coming year. It really is the big start of the fashion year since trends tend to last into the following spring and even years after that (remember the "cerulean" scene from The Devil Wears Prada?).

It seems strange that fashion shows in September premier collections for the spring and summer, right? Well, not really.

As soon as a show ends, buyers and stylists start pushing designers to get their hands on (and their clients' bodies into) those garments. Oh, and don't forget, once NYFW is over, quite a few of these designers and their crews hop the pond for Paris and Milan fashion weeks. Then, they leave the buying, selling and loaning in the capable hands of their managerial staff, and start working on the A/W collection.

Back to magazines - this is also the issue that monthly publications mark as their goal. They work all year long (often since the last September) to make a point of evaluating collections and deciding the trends that will epitomize this year's fashion. They really are the gatekeepers of fashion. Hence, journalists and designers alike cowering at the click of Anna Wintour's heels.

Vogue magazines are recognized as the authorities on fashion, though the U.S. and Paris publications have long battled for the title of magazine queen. This is also why it's such a scandal every time the magazines' queens are dethroned. Now that you know, I suggest you go back and watch The Devil Wears Prada, written by a former Vogue employee, and consider what you've learned today.

September issue

It's September! You know what that means: fashion weeks (Milan, Paris, New York), fashion issues and fall shopping. And I'm here to help you navigate through this fall couture course.

Let's start with couture concepts:

A/W - Autumn/Winter, describes the season of the line
Haute Couture - high fashion (generally the more expensive lines)
Prêt-à-Porter - French for RTW
Pre-Fall - the shopping season between summer and fall; when stores are getting ready for fall but in need of clothing to sell until the fall shopping season
Resort - similar to pre-fall; shopping season for between winter and spring, named for winter travels to warm places
RTW - ready to wear, this genre of fashion came about with the ability to mass produce garments
S/S - Spring/Summer

For more fashion facts, check out Refinery29's answers to fashion myths.

Now, I'm going to assign you some homework: pick up any one of the dozens of magazines that are celebrating their fashion issues. Here are some of my favorites: Vogue, Harper's Bazaar and Glamour.

Fashion's favorite pop stars.

Fashion's favorite pop stars shine on some of the biggest glossies. Posh, Gaga and Gwen are major American fashion icons.

Givenchy Fall 2011 Couture

Sigh. Riccardo Tisci once again does wonders with his Couture collection for Givenchy. The immense attention he gave each detail created a stunning collection. One day, when I'm famous, I'll ask him to make my wedding gown - as long as he covers everything up!

Oh, How the Mighty Have Fallen

...again.  Remember earlier this year when Dior's genius, John Galliano, was jailed and subsequently fired after making anti-Semitic comments (which were also caught on tape)? Well, his protege, Bill Gaytten, has been released from his cage and has quite literally created a circus. In the Dior Couture fall 2011, the poor models looked like they had been layered in taffeta, gazar, and organza and then dragged through a children's birthday party. And then to make things worse (or to clarify Gaytten's inspiration - as if you could have missed it) Karlie Kloss was dressed in rags as a sad Pierrot for the final look. Following its review, Style.com asks the question, "what's next?" Perhaps Gaytten won't last.

Send in the clowns....

She has a gumball on her head. Really.

Confetti anyone?

A little Cirque, no?

Dare to Bare

Summer means wearing less - less makeup, less clothing - less!  But is what's left getting too little?  Maybe, but it doesn't stop me from loving these styles and wanting to try them on! (Also, wishing I had the confidence to wear them down South!  Maybe if I were in New York I could do it, or at least encourage other people to do it.)

Perhaps I'll find something in an after-season sale (of course summer doesn't end so soon in the south) and I can wear it at night.

*Remind me later how I think I can make this!*

Paris fashion week.

*Although this may be more suitable to my sewing capabilities.*

Also French Fashion Week.  Ah, those heels!  Do you think she got her leotard at American Apparel?

Man Repeller blogger Leandra Medine takes the sheer trend to America, incorporating the recurring hippie influence.  Perhaps I should try with a knitted vest first.

And here she takes it to the streets in a less-sheer dress.  I am loving the angled skirt hem of this year.  And check out that hat!