When one thinks of Asian style fashion, one thinks of Geisha Girls and kimonos. But it is much more than that!  When I did some research into this subject, I noticed that there was a very eclectic and diverse variety. Most of the photos I have seen included from Japan and Korea.

Image via Wikipedia

When I googled images of ‘Asian style fashion’, I came up with a plethora of different styles. The most notable is the bobbed ‘pixie’ style haircut.  Unnatural dye jobs for hair are also quite prevalent in Asian fashion. The colors can range from pink, to purple, to green and combinations of these.  These beautiful ladies much resemble characters from Japanese animated programming. The use of hair spray and sculpturing is also quite noticeable. Not to be outdone by the hairstyles, the dress itself has quite a western appeal. Many of the young ladies pictured have on form fitting t-shirts, with either pedal pusher type jeans, short Capri-style French cut jeans, or shirt flouncy skirts with leggings underneath. These will usually have stripes or plaid.  A variation is the thigh-high sock, usually white, with chunky platform shoes to give height.

Nail art is also a characteristic of Asian style fashion.  Many of the models pictured in my Google search had manicures that varied from anything to decals to fancy paint jobs.

I think many of the Asian models like to emulate Lady GaGa with her unique looks. I am seeing images galore of bathing suits (bikini tops and bottoms mostly) being used as street wear, topped with thigh socks, high heels, and a shrug-type jacket, a neck tie, scarf, and of course the wild hair. Asian women also like to incorporate menswear into their wardrobes, since you will often see what looks like a private school uniform with a man’s button down shirt and a tie.

My favorite of all the Asian style fashion trends is the prevalence of bold prints and Paisleys.  These look the best, in my opinion, on maxi dresses. They are a toned down version of the classic kimono, and often have flouncy princess skirts. Short dresses have too much deserved attention, since many of these are strapless numbers with oversized bows on them. These come in classic colors and are usually made of silk, satin or similar shiny material.  Floral prints, paisley prints and plaids seem to be very popular.

Of course Asian fashion should not be limited to The Pacific Rim and countries like Korea, Laos, and Japan.  India should be included in the mix too. Indian women wear the traditional sari in both short and long styles.  The hair is much different than the Japanese/Korean counterparts.  The hairstyle most frequently seen is a knee length braid.  These are either natural or extensions.

Since tattoos are popular, henna tattoos that usually last about two weeks are also pretty apparent and prevalent.  Henna tattoos look like the real deal, and cost just as much sometimes, but they have the added benefit of being semi-permanent. If the wearer decides at a later date not to sport a tattoo, or wants a change in design, they can easily make the switch to a different one or go without one entirely.

As far as makeup, the current trend is to make the eyes look as large as possible. This is achieved either by contact lenses that give that effect, or techniques with mascara, shadow, and a combination of eyebrow shaping and eyeliner to complete the effect.

The only thing about Asian style fashion that one must consider is that it will not work for everyone.  It will work best on a woman with a small, angular frame, and who weighs less than one hundred and fifty pounds.  Since this fashion trend is varied, one can always experiment with the looks depending upon body type, and colors that flatter the skin tone.

Runway fashion for this fall was mysterious, feminine but not girly, and elegant. In these clothes, a woman seems beautiful and a little unapproachable – very high fashion, no? Extreme silhouettes, constricting cuts, and sky-high heels were all gone, in favor of something a bit more regal. Long, old-fashioned silhouettes were everywhere on the runways, though modernized with beautiful use of fabrics and accents. There wasn’t a lot of extra detail or fussy styling to be seen. The clothes looked simple, beautifully tailored, and dare I say, comfortable. Much of what appeared on the runway looked more wearable than in past seasons. The clothes looked as good in motion as they did standing still. The girly-ness of seasons gone by was nowhere to be seen for this fall. The overall effect was feminine but strong, of a queen rather than a princess.

Image by henryjose via Flickr

The must-have item for fall is clearly the poncho. In incredible wools, leathers, silks, and tweeds, the poncho appeared again and again on the runway. It’s both insouciant and luxurious; you just want to snuggle up inside these pieces. With slim pants or skirts, the best versions of the design flow out behind the wearer like a cape. They seem at once very modern and very medieval.

Menswear is still a big trend, though it’s been softened a little this time around. Tuxedo-inspired looks popped up on several runways, although with more feminine touches like beading, a nipped waist, or killer red heels. Shoulders are much softer than in recent memory.

Another trend that was to be found everywhere on the runways were skirts. Long, flowing pants with a higher waist and elongated silhouette were still around, but the skirt was clearly holding its own. The micro-mini trend is out; fall runway fashions showed skirts that hit just below the knee or at mid-calf, often in a pencil or A-line shape. The look is definitely a little retro, echoing the shape of the late 1950s or early 1960s. Accentuating the waist was another common trend, in line with the femininity of the season’s style. Some skirts displayed high slits. The look is definitely sexy but demure. Avoid too-tight pencil skirts in favor of something that leaves a little more to the imagination. Many designers used unexpected fabrics and details, like metals, bold graphic prints or big tartan plaids, to modernize this classic shape.

A big trend in skirts was the use of leather. Some designers playfully added body and fullness here, while others stuck to a more slender shape. The skirts were dressed down with draped, muted, soft materials on top, and often belted to accentuate the waist. Paired with boots, the look is somehow very glam and very casual at the same time. Those retro-style skirts are part of the continuing early 1960s influence on fashion. If you’ve ever seen an episode of Mad Men, you’ll know what we mean by that. Broad collars, baby-doll styles, big buttons, and soft shoulders were all seen on the runways for fall.

This season’s collections, though, marries that retro look with more luxurious fabrics: silk, chiffon, tweed, leather, feathers, and metallic accents were all to be seen on the runways. Many designers also favored a more mysterious, midnight-inspired palette: look for navy blue, grays, ivories, blacks and anthracite. There were gorgeous pearly silks and soft fawn-colored cashmeres to be found, as well as unexpectedly pretty lace and chiffon peeking out just enough to be suggestible. Clothes seemed extra hand-crafted, in a way, with one designer drawing on Native American weaving.

As for outerwear, there were two major trends found all over the runways: leather jackets, and long, duster-style coats. In the first case, a beautifully-tailored, buttery-soft leather jacket is a coveted item for the autumn. The military and motorcycle inspired looks still holds sway over fashion’s imagination here, which makes for a nice contrast with all of the flowing lines of the clothes. There was also a bit of a ‘mod squad’ look in some of the versions shown on the runway. Black-and-white ensembles in retro shapes were eye-catching, although the use of fall fabrics like leather and heavy wool, and metallic details added a new and interesting spin. Some designers blended tough leather jackets with full, regal skirts; amazingly, it worked.

Many designers also showed long coats that swept all the way down to the floor in neutral grays, blacks, tans, and olive greens. Shown with short-shorts, tailored pants, and contrasting textures, these coats look oh-so-cool and add more than a little mystery to an ensemble. Look for one that isn’t too heavy; the duster coats shown on the runways for fall were made for walking. As the models strode down the catwalk, their coats billowed behind them beautifully.

Amid all the mood and inscrutability of the fashion seen on the runway, there were some unexpected bright spots. Polka dots made multiple appearances, with many designers playing on the light-heartedness of the print by pairing it with unexpected fabrics or shapes. Color also isn’t entirely gone; there were explosions of reds, ceruleans, umbers, and mustards in deep-soaked hues. Many designers favored pants in surprising colors, paired with black loafers and strong shoulders.

Fashion hasn’t quite let go of the stripe, either. But it’s blown it up to abstract proportions. Stripes were seen in strong reds, browns, and blacks, and often as an accent. They’ve also been adapted for cooler-weather clothing, appearing on wool skirts and coats. Visually, among all the muted colors and soft shapes, it makes for a graphic blast, in a very good way.

Still, while the clothes could be breathtaking, few were eye-popping or over the top. With all the muted colors, inviting fabrics, and wearable shapes, one has the sense of the fashion houses designing for a woman exceedingly comfortable in her own skin, and with no need for attention-grabbing. All in all, these clothes were simply beautiful – nearly everything that went down the runway looked good enough to roll around in, with all their lush fabrics and inviting hues.

Fashion is full of trends. From platforms to ponchos, most of us can admit to falling into the pitfalls of a mindless trend now and again. In the past, looking fashionable meant following a set of rules and definitions. In order to fit in, one was required to dress within the parameters of a certain style, or abide by the rules of fashion set forth by the media. However, I believe that the styles and designs of the future will not hold to these rigid standards. In the past, these standards have set aside something that today’s style hungry can no longer live without: Personality. I believe that contemporary design is headed into a period of unpredictable originality.

Image by TPWP via Flickr

Contemporary designs are beginning to reflect the public’s desire to look original. Rather than have clones upon clones of a handful of well known styles, the clothing and accessory options available in stores has grown dramatically over the years. In the past, the most popular styles were limited to a few ‘personalities’ as far as schools of dress. Emo, preppy and skater are different terms that come to mind when I think of old designs. While the stores that cater to these various tastes still exist, they have grown and no longer cater to the very specific crowds they used to. Consumers that would limit themselves to one store or another are breaking out of their shells and trying something new. The kids with closets full of polo shirts are trying on a pair of skate shoes or a studded black tank top. As the rainbow streaks of last season fade, wardrobes look less like single store catalogues and more like a fantastic hodgepodge of fashion.

Personally, I see this change in contemporary design as a reflection of the inner working of society. In the past, people felt required to live by certain labels or fit into certain categories. If they were not defined by the label in their sweater, who were they? With style icons like Lady Gaga and Katy Perry leading the pack with their ‘be who you are’ anthems like ‘Born This Way’ and ‘Firework’, how could you not internalize their messages? With explicit permission from the biggest celebrities on the scene today, it is cool to not want to look cool. In short, it is fashionable to not listen to fashion and be yourself. By listening to your heart and going for designs that look good to the individual’s eye, design has been thrown for a loop.

In terms of clothing itself, the demand for unique pieces can be seen in the success of stores like Urban Outfitters and Anthropologie. With designs like no other, consumers save their hard earned cash to look like no one else, owning that one-of-a-kind piece they covet. Online shopping, away from the crowds of style following shoppers, has also changed contemporary fashion. From the comfort of your own home, there is no salesperson telling you to go for one style or another. Shoppers are no longer required to bring along a friend for moral support as they navigate shelves and racks of clothing. No approval is necessary as one browses online. Browsing turns into buying and, after a few weeks shipping time, there is a new design piece waiting on the doorstep. By taking the judgmental looks of others out of the equation, modern design with a unique twist has been able to flourish.

Design of other things, such as house wares and home décor, has also taken a turn for the more unique. More than that, consumers are worried about the conditions under which their house wares and appliances have been made. Gone are the days when one could purchase goods made with devotion to domestic labor. We have gotten over the shock of a ‘Made in China’ sticker, but what chemicals could that label harbor? With lead paint being found in things like children’s toys and food, among other alleged toxins, more and more people are opting for products made in natural environments. The green movement sparked by modern day hippie Al Gore’s documentary ‘An Inconvenient Truth’ is going strong some years later. Somewhat branched off from the initial worries of global conservation, consumers are clamoring for products bearing labels like ‘organic’. Fabric is made from recycled materials, as well as design pieces like cell phone cases and mixing bowls. If it can be reused, it is being reused by today’s generation.

Image via Wikipedia

Another issue influencing contemporary design is the economy. The effects of the recent economic turmoil are far reaching, with a hand in the pocket of every nation. Not a single household is unaffected by the harsh economic times. Due to the fact that more and more people are losing their expendable income, once used to buy the latest, greatest design pieces, companies have to be smart with their marketing and products. Luxury has no place in this new world of frugality. Anything more than necessary is viewed as wasteful rather than special. Instead of creating a new line of luxury items, designers are rethinking their collections and making them more affordable for Jane Doe. Gone are the days of bling and Hummers. The gas conserving Prius is king of the road, for as many miles as it can squeeze out of that gallon of expensive gas. Those expensive diamonds and other gems are being swapped, or tragically sold, for inexpensive costume pieces. Business is booming for low-end stores like Forever 21. Initially trying to bring expensive contemporary design to the masses, commercially available designs in these stores are the new dictators of fashion in the best possible way. Culture is no longer fixated on the exclusive but the original.

Contemporary design has gone through many transformations over the years. From finding its appeal to more sensual tastes, shortening skirts in the 20s to preparing for years of economic difficulty, contemporary design reflects the personalities of the times. In a world of unique individuals, style is more one-of-a-kind than ever before.

Gone are the days when thinking of eco-friendly fashion accessories brought up thoughts of recycled-soda-cans-and-rafia-necklaces. The green awareness combined with love of fashion is calling for researching new ways of using materials, new and unexpected materials, and in general, thinking out of the (jewelry) box. The results are amazing, surprising jewelry items and accessories which are full of texture and style, and the good feeling of being an eco-chic fashionista.

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