Mercedes-Benz Fashion Week ends with clean crisp lines, sharp shapes

As Fashion Week comes to an end, it's safe to say it was a success. Designers showed off their fashionable, statement-making spring 2014 lines.

People came from all over and filled the streets of New York with fashion. Some of the most influential people in the business showed off their skills or just came to show support. Parties were had and fashion was celebrated.

Stylist turned designer, Rachel Zoe, made her second appearance ever at Mercedes-Benz Fashion Week. With safari-inspired designs, her line was abundant in jackets, skirts and pants. Following the trend of most designers this week, the colors were subtle and sequins were once again involved.

Betsey Johnson also made an appearance, showcasing her funky style and out-there personality. Her show was reminiscent of her fun-loving nature. The models came out with tuffed-out hair and loud makeup.

With a seemingly carefree attitude like Johnson, the models came out in jumpsuits and leopard and floral dresses, bodysuits in white sequins, and tulle dresses in a cute punk black.

Johnson's fashion show was not like the rest, making it fun to watch as the models were not walking down the runway with the usual too-serious runway trademark expression. It was a breath of fresh air and a pleasure to watch online.

"Clean crisp lines, color blocking and sharp shapes is what was in style this Fashion Week," said Lorrie Ivas, fashion professor at SMC for more than 30 years. "There are so many trends that are in style now that were in when I was in college.

Ivas' specialty is vintage clothes, and while attending UCLA, she would always have clothes from thrift stores that people would love.

"Major color blocking, jean jackets, prairie skirts and vintage Ralph Lauren have all come back," Ivas said. "The vintage look is back."

Although the shows are fun to watch, they are not all glitz and glamour. When watching, all you see is the actual fashion show, and you miss what's going behind the scenes.

A lot of sweat and tears goes into producing a line and fashion show. It is not as smooth as it looks, and once those 11 minutes are over, the designers can take a step back and breathe. Designers plan for months, mapping out exactly they want to show their lines and produce their shows.

So what exactly goes into producing a fashion show? Placing a budget and picking a theme is the first step. A proper theme has to be picked in order for the designer's message to be perceived correctly. If the theme doesn't match the designer, it could turn into a disaster.

Booking the venue is the next step. If the venue isn't booked, there will be no show. You must book the venue at least three months in advance, so that lighting, the backstage area and other necessities are situated before the show.

Next, the clothes must be selected and the models recruited. The media is then informed about the show so it can be publicized. All these steps must be completed ontime and within budget. A small army is needed to make sure everything runs smoothly.

"What you see on the runway isn't always what you see in the stores; buyers come to watch and see what direction the designer is going in," said Ivas.

The shows that were done during Mercedes-Benz Fashion Week 2013 were all done with the most strict attention to detail. The music matched the clothing, and the models all looked impeccable. Some shows were more exciting than others, but everyone brought their A-game and impressed the masses with their designs.