From New York to Newport: Fall Fashion Trends of 2011

By: Vita Duva
Posted In: Entertainment

 

The fall fashion forecast for 2011 finally hit catwalks at the Lincoln Center for the Performing Arts in New York City this past month. Designer collections from around the world are flaunting long, sinewy silhouettes adorned from hat to shoe in crimson glory, sumptuous cropped furs, grainy knits and velvet accents.

 

From elite boutiques to minute street shops, fashion fanatics in Newport, R.I. are also craving this fall season’s stylish trends. Laura Jean Flynn, owner of the Laura Jean Denim Shop, is one Newporter involved in the latest style craze. For Flynn, The Semi-Annual Mercedes-Benz Fashion Week, better known as New York’s Fashion Week, plays a central role in the shop’s exclusive selections for the fall season of 2011.

 

Last month, Flynn geared up to make her annual 3-day trip to New York City, as she attended the buying shows to select new styles for the upcoming 2011 fall season. “I schedule appointments from current designers that I am interested in renewing and I’ll pursue new designers, as well,” she said.

 

Flynn is a faithful buyer of selective brands, which include, J Brand, Jeffery Cambell, Citizens of Humanity, Cordani, Hudson, Finley, Rock Revival and Fifteen Twenty.

 

“Although I have found many core designers over the years that certainly work, I am always on the pursuit for the latest fashion trends,” Flynn added. MiH and Vintage Revolution, both United Kingdom premium denim brands have made the cut for this fall season at the Laura Jean Denim Shop.

 

In addition, Flynn plans to bring more jewelry into the shop this fall. She is specifically interested in leather wrap and leather stud bracelets in an assortment of colors. Her designer of choice is the dainty, yet classic, Gorjana. “No other retailers in the Newport area carry this designer,” she said of keeping her shop exclusive.

 

Flynn first opened the Laura Jean Denim Shop in the summer of 2005 and provides her clientele with chic shoes, boots, denim and tops. Flynn also provides alteration and hemming services. Flynn’s boutique neighbors the International Tennis Hall of Fame and the elegant Linen Shop at 198 Bellevue Avenue.

 

Fall fashion trends for 2011 are predicting that red is the season’s must-have shade. “I usually have some red in my store and I was happy to hear that the designers will be showing it. I will definitely buy red for Laura Jean Denim this season. I love it. Most people do look good in some shades of red,” Flynn said.

 

As for Lauren Calabrese, a junior at Salve Regina University, red has never been her color of choice, but she said, “I recently bought myself a red lipstick, which makes any outfit stand out.”

 

“I love a splash of color here and there. My favorites include, purple, royal blue and green, ” said Calabrese.

 

Calabrese’s fashion radar is undoubtedly right on point with Flynn’s color picks for fall 2011. “I am all over color in my shop. I am looking to bring in different color twill and cotton pants as well as jeans. Blues and greens will also be other top colors on my list,” Flynn stated.

 

Calabrese is a long time customer of the Laura Jean Denim Shop, so it is no wonder that Calabrese’s picks for this upcoming fall season will correlate well with Flynn’s choices. When she was a sophomore in high school, Calabrese bought her first Ed-Hardy t-shirt and a pair of designer jeans at the shop. “I believe they were J-Brand,” she stated.

 

“I have been in the store recently, but I have not purchased anything. I always like to take a gander, so I will surely be checking out Laura Jean Denim’s fall selections,” Calabrese said.

 

Nevertheless, Flynn’s picks for the shop this fall include Frye boots, skinny and boot-cut jeans, chunky sweaters, and tunic tops. “I will also bring in some flare jeans as the new trend for the fall,” she said. Flynn further expressed her complete confidence in having decided to bring ankle-length chinos into the shop as well.

 

Cowboy boots are a Laura Jean Denim staple, but Calabrese has other fashions in mind for this upcoming fall season, including combat boots. “I just can’t seem to find a pair I like,” she said.

 

Calabrese’s favorite designers for the fall include Marc-by-Marc Jacobs, Alice & Olivia and French Connection. She further expressed her interest in Blank for their affordable jeans and in Vince, in which she praises his great sweaters.

 

However, Calabrese will unquestionably be exploring the fall collection, See by Chloe. “The line has some really cute pieces, but I have yet to purchase anything by this designer,” she said.

 

Although Calabrese has never attended a New York Fashion Week event, she noticeably keeps up with fashion blogs, videos, articles and the like. “I love reading magazines and celebrity blogs to see what the latest fashion trend is and who is wearing what,” she said. “This way, I can stay on top of the trends and personally try out new styles.”

 

Even though the fall fashion trends of 2011 are adapting a medley of styles and colors this upcoming fall season, it has been predicted by many fashion bloggers that the economy will also play a role in the designer collections, simply because the economy is prevalent in the consumer’s mind.

 

Flynn expressed her awareness about the economy, but said she is always on the look out for deals and excellent quality lower price points when it comes to making decisions for the shop. “I just received an email this morning from a designer who usually uses silks, only now the designer is offering similar styles in knits, which is a lower price point,” Flynn said.

 

From a consumer’s perspective, Calabrese learned the importance of shopping responsibly through her own experiences early on. Calabrese will positively be keeping her eyes peeled for sales as the fall season approaches. “Bloomingdale’s holds great sales all of the time, especially around the new seasons,” she said. “If I come across a great bargain, I will indulge. But, I won’t base all of my purchases around it.”