New York Fashion Week: Faux pas or fashion forward?

The line between creative genious and aesthetically displeasing can be a precarious one in fashion. A few designers walked it closely during the spring 2012 shows at Mercedes-Benz Fashion Week.

5 Seconds

00:00

Jeremy Scott took his experience growing up on a farm in Missouri into consideration for his spring 2012 collection, blending ’80s hues of sparkling green with fringe and cowboy vests. The cutouts speak for themselves.

Slaven Vlasic / GETTY IMAGES

Jeremy Scott mixed a bit of sex appeal with bovine-inspired prints for a randy cowgirl look in his spring collection. Those dressing as a sexy cow for Halloween may want to take notes.

Slaven Vlasic / GETTY IMAGES

In some circles, an all-jean ensemble is playfully called a Texas tuxedo. At Jeremy Scott, it’s the new thing for spring.

Slaven Vlasic / GETTY IMAGES

Designers have never given up on the hope of getting American men excited about skirts. The dour models in grey fezes at the Alexandre Plokhov spring 2012 show didn’t appear too pleased with the idea, however.

Larry Busacca / GETTY IMAGES

Michael Kors likewise incorporated male sarongs in his urban-safari-styled collection, perhaps to add ventilation for those actually making the trek to the Serengeti this spring.

KENA BETANCUR / REUTERS

Rad by Rad Hourani Unisex Collection #4 took the male skirt one step further, inching up the hemline well above the knee to expose some muscular thighs.

Slaven Vlasic / GETTY IMAGES

Tight pigtail braids at the Francesc by Frank Tell spring 2012 show added dinosaur-like imagery to the black leather garbs.

Joe Kohen / GETTY IMAGES

Nikki Minaj traded her stuffed-animal tail for a pompom dress at fashion week, where she was perched alongside the stark Anna Wintour in a stroke of fashion irony.

Katy Winn / GETTY IMAGES FOR MERCEDES-BENZ

The Blonds also found inspiration in festively colored felt balls, which begs the question: Will diving into children's arts and crafts boxes will be all the rage come spring?

Joe Kohen / GETTY IMAGES

The Blonds put some pizzaz in the stodgy old Playboy outfits. The designers officially partnered with the magazine for their latest collection of body suits and puffy tails, because bunnies should be stylish, too.

Joe Kohen / GETTY IMAGES

Glinda the Good Witch would have loved to show some leg in this piece by The Blonds.

Joe Kohen / GETTY IMAGES

If cowboys grow tired of muted color palettes and distressed leather, they could perhaps turn to the electric satins of the Thakoon spring 2012 collection.

Slaven Vlasic / GETTY IMAGES

Betsey Johnson coupled sweet lingerie-style teddies with leopard-print push-up bras, lightning bolt earrings and some serious hardware a creating a hard-vs.-soft look. And a lot of cleavage.

Jason DeCrow / AP

Betsey Johnson joined in the headpiece craze in her spring 2012 collection; unlike styles chosen by the Middleton sisters, Johnson’s pieces come with a higher risk of personal injury.

Jason DeCrow / AP

Marc Jacobs successfully captured the coveted appearance of androgyny in his spring 2012 collection. The surrounding questions made a new game for the audience, entitled: Guess who should be buying that suit?

ERIC THAYER / REUTERS

The bright shades of lipstick seen in Richard Chai’s spring collection would certainly help models keep track of their champagne glasses during the week’s afterparties.

Bebeto Matthews / AP

Back to gallery

Discussion Policy | FAQ | About Discussions

Comments

Add your comment

Read what others are saying About Badges

SuperFan Badge

SuperFan badge holders consistently post smart, timely comments about Washington area sports and teams.

More about badges | Request a badge

Culture Connoisseur Badge

Culture Connoisseurs consistently offer thought-provoking, timely comments on the arts, lifestyle and entertainment.

More about badges | Request a badge

Fact Checker Badge

Fact Checkers contribute questions, information and facts to The Fact Checker.

More about badges | Request a badge

Washingtologist Badge

Washingtologists consistently post thought-provoking, timely comments on events, communities, and trends in the Washington area.

More about badges | Request a badge

Post Writer Badge

This commenter is a Washington Post editor, reporter or producer.

Post Forum Badge

Post Forum members consistently offer thought-provoking, timely comments on politics, national and international affairs.

More about badges | Request a badge

Weather Watcher Badge

Weather Watchers consistently offer thought-provoking, timely comments on climates and forecasts.

More about badges | Request a badge

World Watcher Badge

World Watchers consistently offer thought-provoking, timely comments on international affairs.

More about badges | Request a badge

Post Contributor Badge

This commenter is a Washington Post contributor. Post contributors aren’t staff, but may write articles or columns. In some cases, contributors are sources or experts quoted in a story.

More about badges | Request a badge

Post Recommended

Washington Post reporters or editors recommend this comment or reader post.

You must be logged in to report a comment.

Comments our editors find particularly useful or relevant are displayed in Top Comments, as are comments by users with these badges: . Replies to those posts appear here, as well as posts by staff writers.

All comments are posted in the All Comments tab.

More about badges

Get a badge

To pause and restart automatic updates, click "Live" or "Paused". If paused, you'll be notified of the number of additional comments that have come in.