Fashion

Photography by Peter Stigter

See 5 coats to covet for Fall 2013 »

Sitting in mixed media designer Karim Rashid’s Technicolour boardroom on a grey, drizzly morning is the fashion equivalent of a doppio espresso. The floor is swirled with a kaleidoscope of colours; the shelves are filled with his designs–most of them cartoon-y bright. Next to Mr. Rashid, who’s sporting his signature hot pink hue, I look somewhat less adventurous in my black ensemble. But, there’s just something quintessentially “New York” about a black-on-black look. It’s timeless; it evolves with you. Post-interview (psst, you can read all about our interview in FASHION’s May issue) I hurry over to the Donna Karan show, and almost bump into Broadway star Bernadette Peters with my pink and black polka dot umbrella. The space at Cedar Lake is so dark that show-goers use their iPhones to light the way to their respective seats. The noir theme continues when the show begins–the first 10 looks are all as dark as night, though anything but basic. It’s all about the details: cutouts, texture and sheer inserts. Very urban. Very Donna. Her show notes highlight the power of being a woman “with multiple passions, constantly on the go.” Outerwear, a highlight of the show, is a major developing trend for Fall 2013 (go figure) with so many coat styles to covet that it was hard to narrow them down. Here, however are 5 of the best.