The Labor Day holiday and its aftermath affirm autumn has arrived. As the leaves transition from green to auburn, and the days get shorter, people realize a new season is at bay and a new wardrobe is needed. In short, fall represents the harvest of fashion for the upcoming year.
As the German writer and theologian, Meister Eckhart said, “What we plant in the soil of contemplation, we shall reap in the harvest of action.” Designers such as Fendi, MaxMara, Versace, Gucci, Alexander Wang, Derek Lam and more have all harvested in the likes of Eckhart this Fall/Winter season, and the result of their actions: black leather everything.
At Yves Saint Laurent, models assertively strutted down the runway with slicked back hair, dark-hued lipstick channeling their inner “mistress,” all while rocking a leather ensemble from head to toe leather. Short-sleeved leather tops that fell below the hips were cinched with belts emphasizing the waist. Proenza Schouler’s take to the trend materialized in loosely-fitted leather trousers and embossed mini-skirts with a slightly quilted touch adding depth.
Versace pushed the envelope with form-fitting leather dresses and skirts. The embellished, jewel encrusted frocks and jackets had a quasi dominatrix feel juxtaposed by the byzantine crosses etched into the leather pencil skirts.
The runway trend converges on the street as we’ve seen celebs such as Kimye (Kanye West and Kim Kardashian), Jessica Alba, Kerry Washington, Jennifer Aniston, Heidi Klum and Kelly Rowland incorporating black leather into their daily attires.
On September 6, Fashion’s Night Out, couture’s global event hosted in 16 countries around the world, the black leather, goth and dominatrix theme was prominent. Fashionistas traipsed through the streets of NYC in S&M-inspired attire — black leather suspenders, cropped jackets adorned with gold spikes and more — in spite of the 80-degree plus temperatures.
With winter on the horizon, fashion lovers welcome the leather trend with or without the bonding undertones paired with gothy pouts for the ladies (try Azealia Banks Yung Rapunxel MAC lipstick). While some may shake their heads at the S&M personifications in fashion, Fall’s new trend will be as common as D-list celebrities and reality shows.
