One of the stock trends in any season are 'details' and fringe, for 2009, is one of the subheadings. Fringe cropped up two major ways. Both examples were part of two larger trends; that of bohemia and luxe. On the bohemia front we saw fringe from the likes of Miss Sixty, Betsey Johnson, and Karen Walker. In these cases fringe helped drive the inspiration home in the form of tasseled suede bags and vests. On the luxe side of things, and in the case of DKNY, Y-3, and Carolina Herrera, fringe was softer and applied to prints to give the garment another element of 'special' that would help make it undeniably luxe. In terms of bohemia, expect unabashed knock-offs from Forever 21 and the like, and in terms of luxe; likenesses that will pale in comparison. The whole point of luxe as a trend is that it cannot be made cheaper or more simply without losing some of its exclusivity and so it is in this context that we like the fringe trend best. This is fringe being pushed to couture standards and for that reason it is all the more stunning and unique. Rodarte, we think, articulated this best.

Roksanda Ilincic's Fall 08 collection was inspired by architect Oscar Niemeyer. Niemeyer's modern sensibilities encouraged Ilincic's statuesque silhouettes. By texture (bright, floating silks) the garments had an undeniable lightness but the tailoring (indeed, each shoulder with its own personality) established boundaries so that the pieces were not bohemian, but decidedly modern. This look shown to left, for example, is appropriate for fall by way of heavier fabrics but is balanced with a lightness in draping and a close fit where women are most narrow (ankles, high waist) to make it one of the most chic outfits we've seen this season.