Hemlines heading way up in spring 2010 fashions

(Agencies)
Updated: 2009-09-21 09:04

The fabric missing from hemlines appeared in loosely draped dresses and blouses with cowl necks and deep plunging backs by Twinkle by Wenlan, Willow, Nicole Miller, Ports 1961 and Tibi. Narciso Rodriguez showed billowing tent dresses.

FOLDS OF FABRIC

Longer tunics were popular, sheer and draped over bandeau tops by Yigal Azrouel and with one sleeve by Tony Cohen, while blazers were loose and oversized like they could have been borrowed from a boyfriend.

Tuxedo jackets made an appearance, as did rugged anoraks with drawstring waists and hems.

Silhouettes were soft. Many pieces had draping and extra folds of fabric in dolman sleeves or wrapped like kimonos. Michael Kors folded fabric into origami dresses and skirts.

Keeping it all together were Japanese obi-style sashes, criss-cross straps, corset lacing, braiding and bows. Carolina Herrera decorated gowns with woven ropes, and Tadashi Shoji and Diane von Furstenberg showed macrame dresses.

Fabrics were washed, crumpled, hammered or outright abused, as in the shredded wool cobwebs, burned lace and sandpapered silk used in macrame and crocheted dresses by Rodarte.

Ralph Lauren opted for ethereal blues and silvers in a collection that merged casual denim and evening wear looks.

Symmetry was rare. Dresses might have just one shoulder, jackets had one sleeve and hems were cut at an angle.

"We have seen color, we have seen interesting embellishments, new silhouettes that will offer something to our customers that they don't already have," Colleen Sherin, fashion market director for Saks Fifth Avenue, told Reuters.

"So far, we're pleased with what we're seeing," she said.

Trousers were slouchy and relaxed, harem style or with drawstring waists. Long full shorts returned, with pleats by Milly or rolled up and tied by Monarchy.

"It's all about the bottom line. We can 'oooh' and 'ahh' until we're blue in the face, but if that piece of clothing doesn't sell, then who cares," stylist Jesse Garza said.

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