It’s the biggest week of the year! The biggest week in fashion, that is –

If you don’t know what I’m talking about by now, you must be living under a rock or on some remote unfashionable planet. It’s New York fashion week!! The biggest names in fashion, such as Marc Jacobs, BCBG Max Azria and Chanel, put on extravagant fashion shows to debut their new collections.

It’s a star-studded event where the biggest celebrities such as Paris Hilton, Eva Longoria and Sienna Miller take a front-row seat.

This week is not only about your typical fashion show – some designers go all-out with theatrically themed shows with sets, props and even dancing models. Nevertheless, designers are not all fun and games – they have put serious work into creating fabulous trends for the 2006 season.

There is a new hemline on the horizon. For the past few years, it has been right below the knee. Well, ladies, the new trend is a flirty mid-calf length. It shows just the right amount of skin to keep him wanting more!

Another flirty trend is adding a little embellishment to that new hemline, such as cut outs, patterns or lace. This season, the shapes are full, flowy and fabulous. Dresses this season are unstructured and loose, very nightgown—esque. Designers seemed to be inspired by the stifling summer months ahead. This is perfect for the fashion-forward Texas girl who wants to look sexy and chic in the summer months, not suffocated by tight-fitting clothes.

The colors on the runway this season are extremely toned-down compared to seasons past. J. Mendel and Narciso Rodriguez show it is all about looking light and airy with pastels and neutrals – more specifically lilac. You can take a cue from these designers and throw a splash of lilac into a chic out-on-the-town or evening look to be oh so 2006!

Donna Karan, Carolina Herrera and Vera Wang’s shows were all about beautiful bows. From the empire-waisted bow belt to little bow detailed pockets, you are sure to look simply adorable in this trend.

The models in Diane Von Furstenberg and Oscar de la Renta’s shows were donning the popular cropped jackets. These jackets have been on the fashion radar for a while, but they were revamped for the runway and look better than ever.

Love your metallic fashions? Good, because they are not going anywhere. Metallic looks were on the runway every time you blinked an eye this week, from Ralph Lauren to Kimora Lee Simmons’ Baby Phat line.

We can’t forget about shoes. Shoes this season are drifting away from the sharply pointed stilettos to a rounder toe and a thicker heel. The shoes in Marc Jacobs’ show had bulkier stacked heels and were made of rich, thick leather. If that does not sound like your cup of tea, don’t worry. You’ll be sure to find the perfect mix between your beloved stiletto and this new shoe trend that tickles your fancy.

The 2006 New York Fashion Week is full of hot trends and must-have designer duds that every fashionista must have this season! From simply chic to over-the-top, you are sure to find one that suits your personal style this season.

Whitney Patterson is a sophomore CCPA major and can be reached at [email protected]