Fall 2018 Fashion Report

Few aspects of the sartorial mythology prove as powerful – and as powerfully feminine – as the ballerina trend. A twirling woman, dressed in taffeta and tulle, springs to life in ballet slipper pink. Perhaps barefoot. Perhaps in pointe shoes. And this season, the classic trend and Parisian staple leaps to new bounds, elevated by the likes of Dior, whose Fall Couture collection featured looks for the inner performer (pearly nude pleated gowns), the dance instructor (beige peter pan collars and ebony berets), and the ballet-soiree attendee (layered, plunging, black slip, perhaps with a peacock feather motif). Karlie Kloss donned a Brandon Maxwell poppy red gown, reminiscent of a dancer’s favorite tube of lipstick. But the real nod to this trend came with her effortlessly swept-up ballerina bun and pleated hemline. Dakota Johnson proved the permanence and practicality of this trend in her day to night look: she paired a ballerina pink lacy Gold Hawk top with A.P.C. trousers and Saint Laurent sunglasses. This elegant and timeless trend translates beautifully on to the dance floor – or take a note from Johnson’s book and add a pair of jeans for a more day time look that is wonderfully fall.

After the Metropolitan Museum’s opening of their annual fashion exhibit and gala, this year themed “Heavenly Bodies,” angelic embroidery and ethereal palettes have inspired the runways.

Elie Saab’s fall couture collection exemplified this, with both originality and subtlety. Frothy fabrics in regal navy elevated the goddess-worthy gowns. Gilded accents of flora broke up the monochrome of a Prussian blue.

Rosie Huntington-Whiteley positively shone in a Rat & Boa dress that struck a shade of green somewhere between lagoon and jade. Its emerald, glistening hue and simple silhouette preached decadence and minimalism.

And Catherine, Duchess of Cambridge, radiated in a sunny Dolce & Gabbana sheath dress, striking a ton worthy of a goddess (and a duchess, for that matter).

Dance gracefully in a heavenly gown, perhaps with golden embroidery or gilded sequins. If all else fails, a sky blue gown is a spirited and timeless classic.

The art of tying the perfect bow is a skill to be cultivated, displayed, and shared. There is something transient about a cartoonish, symmetrical knot. True, even the tie itself carries an elusive property, thanks to its symbolism of finality.

Designers such as Valentino are taking the bow’s connotation to unruly levels. In the haute couture house’s fall collection, bows appear haphazard, strewn across a mint neckline or billowing downwards like a red scrunchie. It’s on trend in its kitschy colors (neon green and highlighter yellow) and grungy placement (seemingly falling off the side of a gown). And yet, like all thoughtful trends, it is undeniably elegant and unapologetically fun.

Sasha Lane attended the red carpet in a winking white Preen by Thornton Bregazzi gown, intricately tied in a complex knot of satin fabric that showed just a hint of skin.

Beyoncé Knowles sported a Valentino number in Valencia orange. She stood out even when swathed in ruffles and bows.

Add a spot of fabulous to any outfit with an ironically excessive bow or a loose tie with attitude.