Fall 2011 Fashion Trends: Rebecca Minkoff

Rebecca Minkoff's strategy is simple and effective: She designs clothes that cool girls, like herself, want to wear. The cool girl she had in mind for Fall was the model Charlotte Kemp Muhl, who is recognized equally for her experimental street style and for her relationship with Sean Lennon. The couple, a.k.a. The Ghost of a Saber Tooth Tiger, performed during Minkoff's first runway show for guests including Agyness Deyn and Albert Hammond, Jr.

Of note here was a metallic twill bomber with leather sleeves and fox fur at the neck. And to match: tough drainpipe pants with snakeskin patches on the knees. On the other end of the spectrum were super-feminine, sweeping dresses in watercolor patterns with hints of burnout velvet, and slouchy sweaters that just slip off the shoulder. (Minkoff recently added knits to her offerings.) One could picture Lennon's lady rocking racy lace pants with a bodysuit and boyfriend blazer, or a leopard-print silk jumpsuit. But not all of Minkoff's customers are as uninhibited, so there was a swingy trench with an exaggerated collar and leather trim that would bring just the right amount of edge to the table. And let's not forget about the designer's trump card: accessories. Fans can add a mini quilted chain-handle bag or pony-hair stirrup boots to their growing collections.