OK, it looks like we'll all be wearing muted, washed out pale tones next spring, along with solid white, and solid black. Seems as though everyone in the Bryant Park Tents worked from the same color cards. At least the guys get a burst of color with Duckie Brown's deep scoop t's, and Custo Barcelona's mixed prints. Other key trends included voluminous silhouettes, like the bubble dress, soft flowy fabrics, eyelets, fabrics with a shimmer or bling effect, hats, and ladies get those legs ready, the skinny's back, and short dresses, skirts, and shorts were the order of the day! Some of our favorites: Zac Posen's dresses were simply amazing, the green fringy dress was beyond devine! No wonder he's showing at Didier Ludot this week in Paris.... Marc Jacobs' looks had no problem competing with that magnificant over-the-top runway! Absolutley loved everything--the tiered ruffled dresses & coats, jeannie pants, flouncy cape sleeves, even dug his version of the MC Hammer pant, a trend that was all the rage in Barcelona, Spain this past summer....Y & Kei's fluttery blouses ruled.... Detailored's menswear was jazz meets rock meets hip hop-raw but highly tailored denim & leather NY Yankee jackets, collared vests with plaids & stripes....Michael Kors did his American Chic thing, which always works....and Jay McCarroll, I need your helmet sunglasses!

Was it NY or London? British designers played it a bit safe for next spring, not much innovation using that same muted color pallette and showing basically the same trends as NY. Hopefully globalization is not diminishing creativity. The only stand out for us was Gareth Pugh with what looked like Darth Vader Glam in bold black and white check, and silver metallic and black check, shoulder padded coats, & shingled dresses, leggings & coats....We also enjoyed the quirkiness of the safety pin, and sperm printed mens shorts suits at B-Rude....Look to Issa for sexy bold printed dresses.... Julien McDonald's strong blue flowy gowns.... and Unconditional's slim fitting menswear were a treat.

As usual, the Italians did their thing, even though the same muted tones were abound--Bottega Veneta showed darling Elizabethan floor length gowns that could work for day....Fendi's silver short dresses shimmered, and dreamy knit dresses & tops with oversized chainlinked finished hems & cuffs completely rocked....Roberto Cavalli started out soft and ended up sexy with ruffles, embroidery, sheer blouses, some Spanish influence, and bold print dresses....lived for Prada's fringe-shingled coats and dresses....and Versace's strapless dresses and shirts with collars were hot!

Not much to report as the shows end on the 8th, but finally a glimpse of futurism. Rick Owens showed what we're calling "warrior goddess" looks in soft organzas, the skirts were fresh and folded to gather, creating a new length and volume....and Martin Margiela let us know that shoulder pads are back. Yeah! He padded everything down to his nude sleeveless bodice tops. The best is yet to come...

The personal work of Lauren Andrews focuses primarily on vast, unpopulated urban landscapes, ranging in location from New Orleans to Atlanta, West Palm Beach to Brooklyn. Her body of work also includes commercial free-lance projects in the fashion and music industries. Previously she worked as an archivist and gallery manager for celebrity photographer and director David LaChapelle. During her time with LaChapelle, Lauren worked closely with a Taschen design team to organize a visual history of LaChapelle's extensive body of work for use in the recently published retrospective, Artists & Prostitutes. Lauren has photographed for the Manhattan based men's clothing line Guido; she's also worked with Sun Descends, a Brooklyn- based band who now use her images on a variety of promotional materials, Web sites, and upcoming albums. Lauren holds a Bachelors of Fine Arts degree in Photography from the Tisch School at New York University. And currently is studio manager and photographer with Lori Berkowitz Photography. Visit www.laurenandrewsphoto.com for more info.

6 Amazing Fashion & PR Workshops presented by M Shop, and Funky Lala who have rocked out a NYC boutique; are E-commerce website owners; teach at Parsons; produce tons of Fashion Shows & Special Events for designers, retailers, and corporations nationwide; are a Public Relations Firm; are Fashion & Manufacturing Consultants; have their own successful line (LaMa); a partnership with 24/Seven, and have dressed everyone on the A-List including Mary J Blige, Lenny Kravitz, Pharell, Angelina Jolie, Jessica Simpson, Aerosmith, Jada Pinkett-Smith and Shakira. Join us in:

• LA on Oct 21-22, and NYC on Oct 28- 29

• How To Start Your Fashion Company (Clothing + Accessories Lines)
• How To Start Your Fashion Company (Boutique + E Commerce Website)
• How To Do Your Own PR/Publicity + Marketing
• How To Manufacture Your Clothing + Accessories Lines
• How To Produce A Fashion Show
• How To Become A Stylist

The HIV/AIDS organization, Keep A Child Alive, is presenting The Black Ball Hosted by Alicia Keyes and Iman on November 9th. With special performances by Alicia Keyes and David Bowie and others. Visit www.keepachildalive.org for more details.