Fall is the season for pumpkins, pie, and pigskins, but the fashionistas of the world think Dior, Dolce, and DKNY. These, and other famed designers showcased their Spring/Summer 2014 collections recently in New York, Paris and Milan’s Fashion Week.

For those who are not familiar, the most recognizable fashion weeks are bi-annual events held in major cities, featuring large collections of fashion shows from well-known designers, brands, and design houses across the world. These glamorous events began as attempts to market clothes to the press, fashion journalists, buyers, etc.; in the modern day, it is more than an effort to sell clothes, and is not only the starting point for the development of new trends that appeal to the masses, but also showcases more artistic designer’s haute couture and avant-garde collections such as Alexander McQueen and Chanel.

“I absolutely adore [the brand] Alexander McQueen,” said junior Emma Herseth. “Their designs are groundbreaking and, like artists, evoke new and inventive ideas from people.”

And now onto the best shows of the season; fan favorites from across the country included Marc Jacobs, Badgley Mischka, and Dolce & Gabbana.

The fashion-minded at WS voted Chanel, Kate Spade, Michael Kors, and Oscar de la Renta as their favorites.

“Michael Kors has always been my favorite brand because of his popular handbags and beautiful accessories,” said Fashion Marketing teacher Deborah Martin.

Every year, the trends spotted in Paris, NY, or Milan are styles that carry over into the spring and summer seasons and trickle down into the large department stores featuring more wearable designs. Martin’s Advanced Fashion Marketing classes focused on the trends in this year’s shows; finding sheer fabrics mixed with floral patterns and leather bottoms and skirts for the edgier designers. Members of her class spotted the hair and makeup trends for spring/summer and noticed “the natural, glowing look will be very popular for everyday next season, along with orange lipstick for the more daring girls for the night,” said Martin.

With as much publicity that NYFW gets, being able to see the fashion shows from your own house is as simple as clicking through pictures or watching live shows on Style.com and other blogs. This provides aspiring designers across the country to take part in this event and share their views.  Herseth is one of these hopeful designers and comments,

“It has always been a dream of mine to be a designer, and it makes my dreams seem so much more attainable because the event is so much closer than the other fashion capitals of the world [Paris, Milan, London, etc.],” said Herseth.