Alongside all of the embellishment and prints this season thanks to Miuccia Prada and Marc Jacobs, black leather had quite the comeback. I know what you're thinking: when did it ever go away but if you cast your mind back to this time last year you'll remember that block colour was still having a moment but black leather is officially back on the agenda this season.
This season was just a lot darker on the whole. Riccardo Tisci, who is undoubtedly the king of all things darkly romantic, was one of its biggest protagonists teaming his equestrian themed collection with those heel-hidden boots that everyone's rightfully raving about right now. Gareth Pugh is someone that always plays with leather and this season it came on more wearable asymmetric jackets with oversized lapels and at Gucci, Frida Giannini incorporated it on outerwear too but on cropped bell shapes instead.
As with everything, this is a trend that you can embrace with varying degrees. If you're not afraid of going full hog, invest in a coat like the ones at Versace or do like Kate Moss and buy a long sleeved bod con dress but beware. If you're going to go that way make sure to invest in quality pieces as they can quickly start to look cheap. For those of you that aren't so bold, opt for a shirt with a leather collar or follow Kanye West and Kate Moss by bagging a pair of leather trousers. That's one piece that you can count on season after season.
You can guarantee we'll be grabbing a spring coat or two from the latest Tibi collection. Designer Amy Smilovic is perfectly in-tune with what women are seeking from the runways right now...and that would be wearable styles. Those came in droves, from a camel-suede coat that opened the show, to a gorgeous, strong-shouldered brocade-print dress.
What's even better? Smilovic gave comfort to her models' feet by sending them down the catwalk in flats. Specifically, she's set her sights on brogues for spring. All the arguments for statement heels get brushed away when you picture the cool, downtown air of a perfect dress with perfect flats. And maybe the perfect coat to top it off.
Opposites attracted at the Fall '10 Tibi show, which designer Amy Smilovic described as "Napoleon and Josephine." Steering far clear of anything rocker-grunge ("if the look has made it [to Palm Beach], you know it's time to do something new," she told Romney Leader), Smilovic mixed masculine and feminine to sellable appeal. Draped pieces contrasted garments of structure. Neutrals were paired with with brights. And most of it seemed perfect for one of the show's front-row guests, Olivia Palermo.
Arlenis Sosa strutted the runway in a cutesy floral strapless dress worn over a long-sleeved grey tee, and we also liked her in a a relaxed gold goddess dress worn only with tough black platform booties. An artsy print in friendly colours (raspberry, buttercream yellow, peach and blue) took on an appealingly ominous tone when overlain with a crawling black-branch design.
There was something for everyone in the latest Tibi collection, whether a customer in question is seeking mixable separates, versatile day dresses or something shinier for evening. And that, as we're sure Smilovic will find, makes the best contrast of all.
Olivia Palermo went chic at the Tibi show at New York Fashion Week in a caramel-coloured blazer, simple satin top and glen-plaid trousers. She finished the look with a bold necklace, gold watch and red nails.
Oksana Baiul - the '90s figure skater who allegedly has Anna Wintour and Glenda Bailey in a fierce cover-shot war - took her front-row seat at the Tibi show this week in an all-too-sheer green knit dress, white tights and platform heels.
