FAB AVE.

"Season Premiere"

Photo countesy of style.com

By Jonaye' Taylor

Welcome back all of my BSU fashion obsessed, deprived and all of those who fall in between or those who are simply left uncategorized! I hope you had a great summer, I surely did not, but that is a different story. Besides, is it just me or did summer fly by way too swiftly. Nevertheless, we are all here and back for another semester at Bowie State University.

Moving right along, let us begin and get down to business to discuss the fall line-up. Unfortunately, this season (Fall 2010 RTW) I really have not seen any new or exciting big trends that are suitable for everyday usage strutting down the runways. Lately, I really do not know what it is, but oddly enough, this fall I am highly underwhelmed with fashion. FAB AVE readers the tension between Fall 2010 RTW fashions and me became so bad that the friction spilled over into a heated debate with fellow Bowie State fashionista Curtia Palmer. We were going back and forth like Tyson and Holyfield with multiple fashion jabs. It was getting pretty intense, luckily no one was physically, emotionally or fashionably hurt.

The common denominator this season between multiple designers like Oscar de la Renta, Chloe, Gucci, Emilio Pucci, Salvatore Ferragamo (and the list gets endless) would be the uber classic yet chic and sophisticated trouser pants. Of course a great complement to a trouser pant would be a divine blouse. This season featured collections by once again Chloe, Valentino, Andrew Gn and Yves Saint Laurent blazing the runways with their high fashion rendition of the contemporary blouse.  But as many of us college folk out here, those brands may possibly or definitely break the pockets, therefore, company's like J. Crew, Gap, H&M, Express and Bebe offer several options fit for the fashionista on a budget. Personally, this look is great because it is not only appropriate for an office setting, yet stylish enough to pull off a hot menswear look like Olivia Palermo just for the sake of fashion. On the other hand, a marvelous way to spice up any simple "blouser" (blouse + trouser) look would be to do the following: a) add color b) add ruffles c) add all of the just mentioned! As you all may know, the local fashion boutique Honeycomb Hide-Out is a great place to find this trend. 

In addition, Michael Kors showcased numerous amounts of oversized cowl neck sweaters. This trend is more bohemian chic (think of fashion stylist Rachel Zoe, the epitome of boho everything) but still timeless, it also gives off an effortless and unimaginably comfy vibe. With an enormous amount of fabric incorporated into this fall staple you are sure, better yet guaranteed to stay warm. It is already beginning to get slightly nippy outside at night, so this is a good way to set you apart from others. Lastly and happily, I cannot fail to mention one of my favorite designers Balmain (led by Christophe Decarnin) whom never ceases to amaze me. Year after year the designer always seems to incorporate bold shoulders into the collection (a trend Balmain is best known for in recent times thanks to Decarnin). I cannot count the amount of knockoffs derived from this designers collections from the past and once again this season I am sure the same is to come. International pop superstar Rihanna was recently featured on the July 2010 cover of Elle magazine wearing a Balmain design from its Fall 2010 RTW collection. I do not want to sound like a "stan" (stalker + fan) but you know if Rihanna is wearing, the chances of it being hot or bubbling under is typically 80 percent to 95 percent!

With that being said, I know it is not much to offer. Let's just hope that in the near future I shall find more collections that inspire me so I can share it all along with you. Optimistically, I still recommend that you all will keep tight and stay tuned! Meanwhile, this fashion season (oops, I meant semester) at Bowie State must go on, if Paris, New York and Milan aren't going to set the trends we will follow this season, then we must take it upon ourselves to set our own! I will also be bringing my rendition of Bowie State alum (and my fashion column predecessor) Nikki Osei's "Rockstar of the Week" back this semester newly revamped called "Showstopper of the Week". Therefore, I will definitely be on the lookout to see who can showstop nonstop around the clock! Remember to follow your fashion heart. whatever your fashion fate may be let your style stay true to you! Nobody can do you the way you do!