With the close of fashion weeks for the Fall/Winter 2011 season, the time for trend forecasting is complete, and runway analysis is well underway. While leather, velvet and colour-fading fabrics have been declared as trendy materials this coming fall season, it looks like fringes and feathers will be the “it” embellishments. Designers in New York, London, Milan and Paris created gorgeous gowns and dresses with fringed and feathered skirts.

Cushnie et Ochs, Lela Rose and Oscar de la Renta at NYFW

Cushnie et Ochs and Oscar de la Renta used black feathers to give full-bodied skirts to their pieces in New York, while Lela Rose combined grey feathers with sheer fabric to spruce up a white draped top. 

Holly Fulton (LFW), Aquilano.Rimondi (MFW) and No.21 (MFW)

In London and Milan, designers opted for cream-coloured feathers and fringing. Aquilano.Rimondi and No.21 gave their pieces dropped waists, while Holly Fulton’s sits slightly higher.

Hakaan, Alexander McQueen and Barbara Bui at PFW

In Paris, designers used dark feathers and fringes to give their outfits attitude and edginess. Hakaan used navy blue to create a micro-mini fringed skirt, while Alexander McQueen arranged feathers to form an A-line shape.  Barbara Bui on the other hand, gave a metallic look to this outfit by combining a short fringed skirt with a leather waistband.

Whether girly and flirty, or edgy and sexy, it’s no doubt that feathers and fringes add volume and character to ordinary skirts and dresses– expect to see plenty of plumage embellishments on party dresses for the rest of 2011!

*Photo Credit: Style.com