Another Fashion Week has come and gone. I typically like to catch glimpses of some of my favorite designers to see what is coming, but more importantly- to see what is truly wearable. Admittedly the wearable trait can be tough to come by.

I went to Fashion School in Atlanta, GA for a year and investigated the prospect of joining the industry. My classmates included designer hopefuls and I had the chance to design a little myself (I even made the Deans list, but not for design, because I was fashion business savvy).  I know there are creative people looking for an outlet and I have the utmost respect for that. Being in the trenches, I know it is not easy to design for the masses either. However, the bottom line with women and fashion is that they want to wear the clothes and not have the clothes wear them. I always shuddered at the artsy types who would do things for shock value. I look back on it as a likely youthful phase (which I hope they have gotten over to go on to successful ventures); the bottom line for most is that unless the idea is figure flattering it will not sell. It is, after all, a business too.

For example, check out the picture here. Who would wear this? Does this not remind you of the Men on Film skit from In Living Color? Look at the crazy tiny hat. Study it, fear it!

I get it.
Fashion Week is for rock stars, Hollywood starlets and socialites.  But, we the little people at home do watch too.  I am at home watching E! viewing, assessing and yes judging what I see.

So here is what I think about what I saw this year during the Fall 08 preview:

Designers producing wearable are as follows: Tommy Hilfiger, Milly, Tibi, Ralph Lauren, Donna Karan, Lela Rose,  and Nanette Lepore.

Designers producing NOT wearable are as follows: Peter Som for Bill Blass, Marc Jacobs (this line was particularly weird!) Betsey Johnson (and you pretty much expect that every year), Carolina Herrera and even Monique Lhuillier (these 2 designers were especially surprising to me, since I normally like them!)

You can do your own research to see if you agree. FYI if you were curious, the model above is wearing Marc Jacobs and what a strange offering it is.  HATED IT! SNAP If you do not know what that means, go watch some In Living Color reruns.