Vivienne Westwood

It seems only last week  I was bemoaning New York’s dreary winter and previewing summer styles, but the arrival of spring means it is time to look ahead…to another season of unpredictable weather, fall/winter 2010. Luckily enough, at a press preview a few weeks ago, the F/W 2010 collections we saw sustained the vigor of summer with bright colors and vivacious prints; those in favor of darker tones kept our hopes up with their clean sophistication.

To start, Iodice, one of Brazil’s most prominent brands, showed its range with a collection that ventures into elegant evening wear, party dresses in head-turning primary colors and maxi dresses in prints certainly reminiscent of summer. For those in need of a reminder of the bygone summer during the fall season, Iodice’s brightly-colored, intricate prints are sure to invigorate you as you struggle against the cold wind.

Also bringing colors and prints to the fall is Vivienne Westwood Anglomania, the American line from Britain’s favorite punk label. Colorful abstract prints, elaborately patterned tights, pink pants and yellow plaid: this is a label for the spirited and rebellious who have fun all-year round. If you’re looking for glamour rather than adventure, the line also offers beautifully draped satin tops and refined cocktail dresses made to impress but not too high on the shock factor.

Environmental protection is certainly in style  all-year round, but Stewart + Brown promises more than organic cotton: for Fall 2010, the California brand evokes a confident and conscientious student who values comfort as much as sophistication. Youthful yet polished, simple yet refined, the brand itself exudes a sense of natural serenity – and, of course, there’s also the fact that it also uses renewable, biodegradable fabrics.

This is one of the rare posts where Fashion Pulse Daily gives a dictionary definition: contrarian, someone who rejects the majority view. It also happens to be a clothing label that at the first glance does not seem to fit into the definition very well, but it only takes a few more looks to see that the Contrarian girl does indeed beg to differ. The simplicity belies this true mission: every Contrarian piece is appropriate for the office and nothing reminiscent of Lady Gaga, but the rebellion is in the details – black skirts with asymmetrical cuts, super-wide-leg trousers, trench coats with oversized collars, cropped hoodies. That it was masterminded by a mother-daughter team speaks something about the label: a contrarian, undoubtedly, but also one who is able to seamlessly transition from one generation to another, from Wall Street to Madison Avenue.

-Justina Lee