The 80’s, era of decadence, social climbing and the Working Girl, when women were no longer trophy wives but heads of state. It was the decade of power, between those who had it, and those who were trying so desperately, to get it. It also heralded the age of designer, when who you wore, became just as important as who you were, and which Ivy League you graduated cum- laude from.

The news of beloved, fashion maven, Sarah Jessica Parker’s departure from Haltson Heritage, as the brands creative director, Wednesday, sent yet another somber note through the fashion industry as the brand, like it ’s most memorable star, died nearly 20 years ago, and has been trying to make a comeback ever since.

Did you miss the news on ‘The Tale of a Fairy’? If yes, you’re certainly on the right page.

Yes, that’s right your virgin ears did not deceive you, Vogue, editor-in-chief, Anna Wintour released a public service announcement ,yesterday, announcing her support of gay marriage along with her partnership with the Human Rights Campaign.

They say, “April showers, bring May flowers”, that’s nice but are we supposed to do in the meantime? As I type idly at my computer eyes shifting from screen to window and I watch the rain once violent, now softly tap on my window, I begin to wonder, how does one survive a rain storm in style, without sacrificing all sense of practicality?

Whilst Easter Sunday is fast approaching, I know you’ve all been endlessly ransacking your closets to put together a decent outfit. Just like any formal occasion you don’t want to be too overdressed, but you also don’t want to be under-dressed. You want casual and classic, whilst remaining sophisticated and edgy.

Undeniably, Gossip Girl taste paired with Sex and the City spending has led consumers into a tailspin of designer obsession, not seen since the 1980’s, the era of decadence and conspicuous consumption. But we all know nothing too good lasts for long and just as the late 80’s gave way to the stock market crash of 1987 (Black Monday), we’re once again left in a similar predicament.

The last bits of stubborn snow have finally begun to melt, and after surviving one of the most brutal winters in history, we’re all ready for a little bit of sun. However, don’t break out the short shorts just yet, it’s time to prepare for that awkward transitional season.

With a high powered resume that includes: Rolling Stone, Vanity Fair and Vogue, Annie Leibovitz has shot ‘em all, and like her peers Mario Testino, Patrick Demarchelier… etc, Leibovitz is a name synonymous with high art and high fashion.

What can be accomplished in a little under a year? Perhaps you should ask stylist turned designer Ashburn Eng, creator of the skyscraper bound Singapore brand, Young & Restless. But don’t just take my word for it ask editors at Elle, Style and countless other fashion magazines.

In the 1920’s, renowned couturier Jeanne Lanvin, introduced the fashion world to “La Garçonne”. A radical new style of dress for women. The bourgeois could finally be rid of those ghastly corsets and dress more like their husbands. It was an interesting time, women wore blazers, and men’s dress shirts, but still managed to stay feminine and delicate, simultaneously.

Milan gave us WWII glamour, like Christian Dior himself, designers gave us a “New Look. Paris gave us sartorial aristocracy with cowboy hats and capes. New York gives us what a young Marc Jacobs gave Perry Ellis in the early 90’s, grunge.

From left: Langston Hughes and Dorothy Dandridge. Imagine Harlem without Langston Hughes. A world without his sweet, honey-dripped syllables and verses to describe a renaissance long forgotten. What would a world be if words were used as weapons, instead of fists? Imagine a world without color – the color of harmonies that only Dorothy Dandridge could sing.

Overall, Paris Fashion Week was full of lush clothing, and surprises that could bring any self-proclaimed fashion enthusiast to his knees! Yves Saint Laurent and Dior Homme brought back the cape, whilst others resurrected the cowboy/jazz hat…. and then there was Thom Browne. He created clothes straight from 18th century society, top hats and all.