Some people may not realize how much Fashion Week will affect them. However the days in between Thurs., Sept. 7 and Weds., Sept. 13 of 2017 have foreshadowed this year’s trends soon to come.

“I think that most collections seen on the runway are sometimes more avant-garde, so most people believe them to be too eccentric to wear in their daily life and to school,” said junior Kate Larson. “But these pieces seen on the runways in New York, Milan and Paris, are what designers get inspiration from and then create ready-to-wear collections that are worn by most people.”

Unless you are walking in the streets of Manhattan during fashion week, you’re not going to dress in an outfit that resembles a balloon, however, as you look at the pieces designers such as Calvin Klein, Ralph Lauren, and other big name brands put together, you can see trends that people realistically may see in months to come.

“I picked the fashion classes because they allow me to express myself without judgment- which is exactly what fashion is all about,” said Jolene Gundrum, a senior in Mrs. Marik’s period 3 fashion class. “Fashion week is important because everyone gets together and celebrates each other’s creativity.”

Minimalism was in high gear this season as well. This form of expression leaves room for the individual wearing the clothes to let their identity shine through and transform the pieces into their own.

Calvin Klein introduced new creative director Raf Simons, known for his controversial role in creating Dior’s first ready to wear collection using minimalism as the form of design back in 2012.  Klein and Simons, both fans of minimalism in fashion, make an unstoppable pair that we can only assume will bring simplicity back into our wardrobes.

Along with the trend of minimalism came the emergence of color with the upcoming trend of pastels. Pastel colours we assume to see for spring; however, the way the colours paired together created a sense of joy, uniqueness, and gave the clothing life when worn.

“It’s finding a new take on color,” said designer Victoria Beckham when asked about her choice to include pastel into her pieces at her New York show. “That’s why I love these, whether you call them Play-doh, sherbet, ice cream colours – but they’re not too sugary, not too sweet.”

As you look closely, joyful colors and minimalist pieces are not the only trends we can imagine sneaking into our wardrobes for next year.

Gender neutral clothing was another trend seen in shows for Phillip Plien, Tom Ford, Brandon Maxwell and Ralph Lauren. The use of the blazer in these shows delivered the audience with an idea the clothes given to them do not determine their gender.

“When talking about models,” said senior Melanie Falco, “fashion designers have been pulling men and women of all shapes, sizes, gender, and sexuality/gender identity which I think is amazing.”

Audiences saw models of different backgrounds, shapes and sizes. This diversity present  allowed for the clothes to give life beyond the feelings the shapes and colours put off. The fashion industry recognized the fast paced movement towards a more diversely represented world, leading them to portray just that through their clothing.

Androgyny was front and center, breaking the idea that fashion separates and confines men and women. Having it as a focal point of all shows allowed for designers to voice their views on the political debate of gender, also introducing the common theme of rule breaking.

“Rule breaking, but not silly,” said Anna Wintour, editor-in-chief of Vogue Magazine, on the magazines opinions about the sights presented by designers of Fashion Week in New York.

The clothing itself broke rules varying from the time to wear it to the colours paired together. The Fenty x Puma show drew in the audience by incorporating avant garde details into sportswear ranging from high heeled sneakers to pants with buttons from seam to seam. Other designers disregarded the idea of a certain time and place for specific pieces. Clothes originally made for day mixed with pieces targeting the night time. This combination creates an eclectic feel to these collections.

Some took a more direct approach, like Christian Dior printing ‘We should all be feminist’ onto simple white tees paired with elaborate accessories to give a voice to the collection. Others discreetly added their voice by choosing certain models and clothing in order to convey their views of current issues in society.

“If statements put on to clothing are not hurting anyone, then I’m all for it,” said senior Peyton Herman. “You should be able to express your views however you want.”

Balmain chose to stick with this “women empowerment movement” but added a twist with details like his constant use of fringe and warm toned colors to give his collection and models the idea that they were warriors from the beginning of civilization.

Just like painting, sketching, cooking, writing, dancing or even playing a sport, fashion is a form of expression. Whether you do it on purpose or you obliviously throw clothes on at 6:20 a.m. everyday, you chose an Under Armour shirt over a Nike shirt; you chose to wear light wash jeans over dark; you grab Converse over Adidas superstars, you chose the items you wear because they speak to you, because they represent your identity.

Every year, the biggest names in fashion get together to celebrate their accomplishments before they go on display in stores during the months to come. Fashion Week gives fans of couture exact images of the clothes to buy for fall and spring of this year. However for people like you and I, fashion week influences brands from Nike, Hollister, Under Armour, Pink, Topshop, Urban Outfitters to even the clothes you see at stores like Target. The tiny details that most glance over when scrolling through daily mail recaps are the ones people will be wearing this spring.