Key Takeaways:  Inspired by the countryside–the Shakers and the wheat fields of the Great Plains, Zac Posen created a Spring 2008 collection that was at once restrained and unashamedly sexy.  And probably frowned upon by the Shakers.  In his runway tour of the midwest, Posen picked up on a number of key Spring 2008 trends: emphasis on the waist, colorblocking, the use of sheers, feathers, asymmetry, (tiered) ruffles, the pouf skirt, the long blazer, voluminous sleeves, and the oversized collar.

Color Palette:  Wheat tan, yellow, red and shades of blue added color to Posen’s black and white.

Silhouettes:  Day looks included an emphasis on the waist, high necked blouses, vests, skinny pants, blouses with voluminous sleeves, structured coats, boxy jackets, long blazers, oversized collars, cuffed pants, and short shorts.  Despite Posen’s chosen theme, his eveningwear exuded dramatic sexiness, with structured bustiers, tiers of ruffles, and unashamed asymmetry. One slinky black dress was belted at the knee and featured a pool of fabric and feathers likely 5 feet in diameter.  And his closing set of dresses, featuring clouds of drapey, marbled fabric, was anything but Shaker-esque.

What’s Wearable: The structured coats and boxy jackets were very wearable, along with the tops with oversized collars.

What’s Not Wearable:  We’d recommend passing on the poufy minidress with the metallic wheat appendage.  A bit too literal of an interpretation of the Great Plains, if you ask us.  Careful also with the short shorts and skinny pants for obvious figure flattery reasons.

Previous Zac Posen Fashion Week Coverage from Omiru:
Fall 2007 Fashion Week Runway Review: Zac Posen
Spring 2007 Fashion Week Runway Review: Zac Posen
Fall 2006 Fashion Week Runway Review: Zac Posen
Spring 2006 Fashion Week Runway Review: Zac Posen

By Colleen Geary, fashion stylist and image consultant

Previous Reem Acra Fashion Week Coverage from Omiru:
Spring 2007 Fashion Week Runway Review: Reem Acra

Key Takeaways:  A body-conscious collection of dresses and separates in solid colors.  The neutral-colored collection was loosely fitted, with volume being cinched in at the waistline.

What’s Not Wearable:  Skirts that end at mid-calf are tough to wear without looking short. 

Previous Calvin Klein Fashion Week Coverage from Omiru:
Fall 2007 Fashion Week Runway Review: Calvin Klein
Spring 2007 Fashion Week Runway Review: Calvin Klein
Fall 2006 Fashion Week Runway Review: Calvin Klein
Spring 2006 Fashion Week Runway Review: Calvin Klein