Curves Ahead: Fashion highlights from Paris, Milan, London and New York

By Brenda Blount

Ahhhh!!!!!!! The fall collections are here, and the 2010 runway was unexpectedly curvaceous.

Paris

Marc Jacobs presented his Louis Vuitton Collection in Paris. Jacobs sent a diverse group of ages and sizes down the runway. The models ranged from 31 to 46 in age and populated all sizes.

Jacobs sent Victoria Secret models down the runway along with former Sports Illustrated cover model Elle Macpherson. This was not your typical runway lineup, but neither is seeing the ages of the models in print. Jacobs cast a variety of ages. Designers say they design for real women, but when it comes to the runway, the real woman is nowhere to be found — until now.

The collection was beautifully and tastefully done — not one mini skirt. Oh my, someone alert Hollywood! The collection could have been titled “When Ladies Were Ladies.” Skirts grazed the knee and the only revealing element was a hint of decollete.

Milan

The same can be said about the Prada show in Milan. Miuccia Prada’s collection harkened back to a simpler, quieter time. Prada filled her runway lineup with a diverse mix of curvy models.

Okay, there’s that adjective again: “c u r v y.” I can’t stop wondering if this means that the tide is turning. Real women are being seen on the fall runways of Paris, Milan and London.

There are some trends that were better left on the Paris runaway. Case in point, Alexander McQueen gave us 10-inch monstrosities, the lobster claw/armadillo shoe, before his untimely death this past spring. During the fall shows, another McQueen shoe of the moment, the ballet tip-toe booties, were introduced. While only a few runway models managed to maneuver the spring look, the fall look promises the same OMG! moment.

McQueen was a master of construction and drama. His fall collection did not disappoint. His mastery in tailoring, his intricate embroidery and lace, will live on.

London

Across the pond, London’s Fashion Week had a bit of controversy when a stylist and a creative designer for Mark Fast resigned three days before the show. The press reported that they both resigned in protest because of the use of size 14 models. Are you kidding me?

Canadian-born Fast, known for his body-conscious knitwear, dressed Crystal Renn in a deep red, knit dress. (Renn is our very own Mississippi girl from Clinton.) She has made her career as a plus-size super model, if you could call size 14 a plus size.

Renn and the other plus-size models ranging in sizes from 12 to 14 looked stunning walking next to the industry standard, waifish models. The final runway walk was led by a size-12 model. Fast received rave reviews for his collection, which ranged from fiery reds to pastels and neutrals. Fast proves that any woman can wear his clothes no matter her size.

As if the curves on the runway weren’t enough drama, Fast, when asked by Lady Gaga’s stylist to send over a few garments, declined. “My work is about a lifestyle,” he said. “It’s not fast-food fashion. It’s not about trends, it’s about classic, it’s about the body, it’s about beauty. Maybe that gets lost in the picture with certain celebrities.”

Now, that’s what I call a nonconformist. I’m in love with this young man.

New York

While there were no curvy models at Mercedes Benz Fashion Week in New York, there were plenty of beautifully chic wearable clothes from American designers Ralph Lauren, the master of Preppie Chic, as evident in his fall collection of bohemian, uptown and gypsy looks.

Michael Kors’ use of neutral colors and fur in heathery grays, warm tans and khaki were the basis of his jet set , let’s-get-on-a-plane look for fall.

Donna Karan’s Forever Black Collection did offer shots of color with teal and magenta. Karan has been designing for the real woman for decades. I am a super fan and this collection was one of her best.

Brenda Blount is proprietor of A Better You Image Transformation and fashion stylist for beach blvd magazine.