Trend Alert: Leather Here, Leather There, Leather Everywhere

Leather never seems to be out of style.  But instead of employing leather in mostly boots, bags and outerwear, for fall 2012 designers have a penchant for using leather in dresses, skirts and as an embellishment to the continuing trends of color, sequins and diaphanous fabrics. Also, for fall 2012 designers are combining leather with more classic silhouettes paying homage to the 50s demure aesthetic and Great Gatsby‒inspired looks. The rock n’ roll, leather looks seen in spring 2012 collections have taken a backseat to a more sophisticated, though sometimes kittenish points of view for fall 2012 outings.

Cynthia Rowley for fall 2012 combined kaleidoscopes of colored leather paired with interesting layering. Rowley adeptly mixed and matched loose-fitting leather separates with more form-fitting tops, leggings and skirts. And instead of the usual muted and neutral palettes seen in most fall collections, Rowley expressed her predilection this season for leather in explosion of color that expanded across a huge color spectrum.

Monique Lhuillier looked to volcanic rock and molten lava for inspiration for her fall/winter 2012 collection. Lhuillier incorporated a 50’s aesthetic which blended vibrantly in red leather dresses with full skirts.

There were lots of references in Tom Ford’s fall/winter 2012 collection; think back to Tom Ford’s tenure at Gucci and Bond girl references. Though Ford stayed within the palette of hot red and black, Ford continues to forward the sexy leather revolution this season.

Lastly, Diane Von Furstenberg did not spare leather combinations in her bold, colorful, sophisticated collection. From shiny, colorful wrap coats to wide leather belts to flapper-inspired skirts, Furstenberg more than any other designer this season successfully married leather with the myriad of continuing trends.

—William S. Gooch