On the Fringe

Gucci F/W 08-09

After Gucci's F/W08-09 show, it seems like the hippy-bohemian-low-slung-belt-and-fringe-boots vibe is back (with a Renaissance twist). Maybe fashion is having a bipolar moment (think Roland Mouret and especially Balenciaga and Prada - all straight, clean, sharp lines for F/W08-09, with Prada's dowdy silhouettes and Balenciaga's austere cuts suggesting a move in one direction ... versus Gucci's 70's-style gypsy movement).

Prada F/W 08-09

Balenciaga F/W 08-09

But there is a common trend here, forgive the use of the word, and its away from sexy in the overt and usual way we see it. Take away Alexander Wang - who is sort of his own agent and his own scene - and we get a lot less skin and a lot more sauve detail. Take a cue from buttoned-up-cute Thakoon S/S09. Even Rodarte S/S09 is more sculptural in chest detailing with long skirts than outright sexy.

Thakoon S/S 09

Rodarte S/S 09

So anyway, back to Gucci. Gucci buttons up some peasant shirts, slings some coin belts across its models' narrow hips, adds rows of studs, throws on layers of fringe, and invents an outlet for girls who are already tired of "line" and "cut."
Cue Kate Moss back in her Minnetonka moccasin boots, cue Sam Edelman bringing out the fringe-glorious flat boots, cue Jeffrey Campbell with fringed sandals and heels.

Sam Edelman "Ursula" $159 at piperlime.com
Jeffrey Campbell "Top" Fringe Sandal, $94.95 at Nordstrom

Kate Moss in Minnetonka

It's a trickle-down effect, alright, and I'm not immune to its lure. I've loved those Minnetonka moc boots since I first saw them swaying down the street on Kate, and now they're mine.
Now the question is, with all my AA cardigans and rather preppy clean-cut tops, how to style them? I think Kate knows, so I'll have to learn from her. What else is new, right?



Pics: FabSugar, Fashion Week Daily