New York fashion kings close out the week

Lupita Nyong'o, an Oscar favourite for her role in "12 Years A Slave" wearing a stunning pale pink dress sits next to Anna Wintour and US actress Naomi Watts. New York design kings Ralph Lauren and Calvin Klein closed out Fashion Week on Thursday by unveiling their fall/winter runway collections to a star-studded audience. PHOTO/AFP

What you need to know:

  • Fashionistas braved a major snowstorm, picking their way on stilettos through the ice and slush to attend en masse the hotly anticipated catwalk shows of both fashion empires.
  • With New York fashion darling Marc Jacobs holding the last show later Thursday, the global fashion bandwagon heads to London on Friday before winding its way to Milan and Paris.
  • Kenyan actress Lupita Nyong'o, stunning in a pale pink dress and an Oscar favorite for her role in "12 Years A Slave" sat next to Anna Wintour and US actress Naomi Watts.

NEW YORK,

New York design kings Ralph Lauren and Calvin Klein closed out Fashion Week on Thursday by unveiling their fall/winter runway collections to a star-studded audience.

Fashionistas braved a major snowstorm, picking their way on stilettos through the ice and slush to attend en masse the hotly anticipated catwalk shows of both fashion empires.

With New York fashion darling Marc Jacobs holding the last show later Thursday, the global fashion bandwagon heads to London on Friday before winding its way to Milan and Paris.

INDIVIDUALITY AND STYLE

Lauren got a rare standing ovation from the crowd, which included actress Kim Basinger, for his two collections: the younger line Polo and his classic Collection.

Polo offered up urban collegiate style in bright colours with bohemian adventure, a strappy black dress and large orange parka or a leather mini skirt with shirt and tie.

The Collection oozed glamour in monochrome, gray, ivory, white and pale pink. There were large capes in creme cashmere, elegant trousers and a spangly pink evening dress.

"I love the contrast of Polo's cool eclectic spirit with the luxury and modern glamour of Collection," Lauren said. "Each represent my vision of the individuality and style."

Basinger, who flew in specially from Los Angeles, said she had been an ardent admirer for years and dismissed any question of not turning up because of snow.

"I love him," she said. "I would not miss this for anything in the world so I am here."

In a TriBeCa loft with views of the iconic Manhattan skyline, Calvin Klein unveiled a collection unique for the week in showing only clothes appropriate to chilly weather.

In black, white, green, peach and brown, women's creative director Francisco Costa sent models out in long skirts, chunky high neck sweaters and wide-collared coats.

There were sleeveless and pleated woolen dresses with the seam stitched on the outside, use of patchwork and with stripped detail on hemlines.

Kenyan actress Lupita Nyong'o, stunning in a pale pink dress and an Oscar favorite for her role in "12 Years A Slave" sat next to Anna Wintour and US actress Naomi Watts.

Traffic was treacherous in New York, where eight to 14 inches (20 to 36 centimeters) of snow were expected to fall and flakes turned to freezing rain.

SEASONOF COLOUR

Key trends of the week have been fur coats, back and reworked, gypsy dresses, bomber jackets, leather, metallics, tartan, oversized jackets, belts and sweatpants.

"It's a season of color, of contrast where lifestyles are mixed, furs are important," Nicole Fischelis, fashion director at Macy's department store, told AFP.

"Lengths are either very short or very long. We see shorts and maxi dresses."

She singled out established US designers Jacobs, Michael Kors, Vera Wang and Tommy Hilfiger for special praise, and had her eye on the upcoming new generation.

Wang's collection was a "good mix of clothes that are very wearable but at the same time very romantic, extremely well made, very modern with astonishing quality," she said.

Kors was "very, very good" and Hilfiger "excellent" with "all the must-haves" of the season, Fischelis added.

She also praised Anna Sui, whose exotic collection was inspired by the Shanghai of the 1920s, as a colorful show that put everyone in a good mood.