the PIPELINE: Style on Tap

• November 3, 2009 3:30 PM
• Trend Spotting

Trend Alert: Classic High-Tops Give Our Heels a Run For Their Money

By Desiree Pais

Even before we were reveling in Lanvin's multicolored high-tops for resort 2010, we were feeling nostalgic for our most favorite court shoes of all time. A frequent go-to of Models Off Duty, a good pair of high-tops are a fresh take on the craziest skyscraper heels of the moment. From a basic pair of slick gold Nikes to Lanvin's more understated gray canvas kicks, getting comfy is looking pretty good these days.



Above, from left: Lanvin resort '10, image via Style.com; Nike Air Scandal Sneaker, $90, available at Nordstrom.

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• October 30, 2009 10:04 AM
• Trend Spotting

Part DIY, Part Punk, Safety Pins Are Our Accent du Jour

By Aria Hughes

Safety pins are the ultimate symbol of fashion and function. Who can't remember using them to either make something or to skirt a major wardrobe malfunction. Whatever their use, safety pins are on the fashion come-up. The spring 2010 Vena Cava show presented a full on safety-pin vest, while Christopher Kane used the slick pins to add subtle shine to the Versus collection. Style bloggers-turned-DIYers Denise Lai and Pelayo Diaz took a recession-friendly approach and added the household adornments to basics (Pelayo will make one for you!). And if crafting stuff isn't your specialty, you can throw on a necklace or pair of earrings courtesy of Marc Jacobs or Giles & Brother.



Above, from left: Vena Cava's spring 2010 show, photo via Style.com; a DIY safety pin necklace made by style blogger SuperWowOMG.



Above, from left: Style blogger Pelayo Diaz in a safety pin tee of his own creation; Versus by Versace spring 2010 show, photo via Style.com.

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• October 16, 2009 9:30 AM
• Trend Spotting

Nine Accessories Trends That Stole The Spring Shows

By Christene Barberich & Piera Gelardi

Today, clever designers aren't content to just turn out a memorable collection. And the shoes, jewels, and arm candy they're concocting lately to accompany their wares sure won't sit on the sidelines either. Accessories have become not just a perfunctory step in the runway performance, but often the very accents that can bring a collection to life. And this past spring '10 season didn't disappoint. Atomic lucite heels, molten bib necklaces, and pretty woman purses personified the mood of the season: Womanly, strong, and unwaveringly chic. From blown-up bangles to stage-worthy barrettes, check out all the accessories trends that made our headlines.

1. Clear Vision: Lucite Accents



Above, from left: Fendi; Prada. Photos via Style.com.



Above, from left: Fendi; Burberry Prorsum. Photos via Style.com.

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• October 13, 2009 9:17 AM
• Trend Spotting

The Trends That Mattered Most at Paris and Milan

By Christene Barberich & Piera Gelardi

After so many weeks (five to be exact) of tracking runways, front-rows, backstage, and all the kooky surprises in between, reaching the commencement of Fashion Week Spring 2010 can be somewhat of a let-down. But not when you spend the weekend surveying all the spectacularness of the most recent shows—Paris and Milan to be exact. If we were getting a touch bored of the expected (yellow! sheer!), there's nothing like a shot of Lanvin, Kenzo, and Balmain to bring us back to life. So, to restore your faith, too, in good adventurous glorious fashion, we've assembled our top 12 list of the best trends from Milan and Paris. Au revoir, Fashion Week!

1. Metallic Minis



We know! Nothing new about yet another outpouring of minis, but turned out in gleaming metallics, this new batch feels both glamorous and futuristic. Above, from left: Balmain; Costume National; Christian Dior; Balmain.


2. Matchy-Matchy



All-over prints on the wrong people can be a recipe for disaster. But presented by Ann Demeulemeester and Givenchy, these optical illusions are a study in artfulness. Above, from left: Miu Miu; Ann Demeulemeester; Kenzo; Givenchy.

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• October 12, 2009 9:12 AM
• Trend Spotting

Designers Give the Latest Creepers a Luxe New Spin

By Aria Hughes

Every so often the fashion stars align to produce a fresh take on an old classic we just can't get enough of. No, the creeper shoe is nothing new, and it doesn't exactly scream "classic," but for the past few seasons these thick-soled shoes returned as the grunge-chic go-to for designers and It chicks alike. This season, Creepers are turning up more polished than punk, and creeper-lovers are happy to sport the upgrade. Whether you fancy yourself Alice Dellal's long lost sister or Carine Roitfeld's unofficial fan club prez, everyone on the style spectrum can get in on the trend. It-brand Phi and Alexander Wang made the shoe uber-sleek with a high heel and embossed croc skin. Sonia Rykiel and Chloë Sevigny stuck closer to the original, but opted for stones and leather instead of classic suede. And Jeffrey Campbell offers up cool look-a-likes for the girl who can't blow her rent on wares. Sometimes we prefer a classic to go untouched, but in this case, we welcome the dazzling makeover.

Above, from left: Alexander Wang Frankie Creepers, $480, available at Barneys New York; Caroline Feber in a Alexander Wang's Hanne Zip Boots, $760, available at Alexander Wang.



Above, from left: All the Pretty Birds' Tamu McPherson in Phi's luxe Creeper style; Sonia Rykiel Creeps Shoes, about $1,346, available at Colette.

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• October 8, 2009 9:26 AM
• Trend Spotting

Bye Bye Bottoms! From Knee-Length to No-Length, Tracking a Century of Shrinking Hemlines

By Michelle Christina Larsen, Design by Joshua Covarrubias

First we wore skinny jeans too tight to walk in. Then we ditched jeans for leggings, and now we're so liberated we hardly feel like pulling on a pair of tights at all. Yes, the incentive to wear less has been riding up legs for the past 100 years. And in 1920, you could have caused a Model T pile-up walking down the street in the short-shorts you can flaunt now. So, with pop stars and celebrities barely bothering to cover their assets, it's hard to believe the world was once modest to a fault! Below we have a look at the history of hemlines, and how we went from pristine New Look to Ga Ga bottomless.

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