Top 10 trends for spring and summer on the New York catwalks

New York Fashion Week wrapped up in a haze of light bulbs, creative vision and rainbow palettes from Marc Jacobs.

The can’t miss moments and collections from New York Fashion Week

As the fashion world’s focus now shifts to Europe for shows in London, Paris and Milan, here is a round-up of the top 10 trends that New York offered this season.

1. Global brands Tommy Hilfiger, Tom Ford and Ralph Lauren upended the fashion calendar, ditching the official spring/summer schedule entirely to offer shop-straight-from-the-catwalk collections.

Michael Kors, Tory Burch, and Alice & Olivia offered a select number of items for immediate sale, pairing spring essentials with cross-seasonal looks.

Ralph Lauren’s first ‘see now, buy now’ catwalk show a stunningly elegant display

The proof will be in the sales, and so far the big houses have been quiet, but reading the tea leaves, it seems fast fashion is probably the future.

2. Floral prints are big: on bikinis and dresses at Michael Kors, trousers at Ralph Lauren, daisy dresses at Anna Sui or in patchwork florals at Tory Burch.

3. France may have been gripped by the burkini debate this summer, but the New York catwalk loves a good bra – and bikinis too. There were bralette straps and corset bodices at Marchesa, and dominatrix bras with zips at Jeremy Scott.

4. A trend embraced by celebrity designers Kanye West and Rihanna, along with street wear label Hood By Air, the elongated sleeve has gone mainstream.

Vera Wang had sleeves that trailed the hands “almost like a new kind of glove”, she said. Tanks were worn over long sleeves at Jeremy Scott.

Vera Wang brings darkness, mystery to New York Fashion Week

5. Banker chic is back – see Taoray Wang, who opens her first store outside China in Manhattan next year.

Pyer Moss also mined the city look, Bibhu Mohapatra turned it into occasion wear with pink striped silk, while Anna Sui offered metallic pinstriped chiffon tops.

6. The crinoline is back – except this time without crinolines. Masterful tailoring and tricks of the trade enable dresses and skirts to stick out, without hoops and netting.

At New York Fashion Week, Sunday was full of surprises

Examples: Zac Posen, whose evening wear floated down the catwalk; princess gowns for women and children from Vicky Zhang; or flying saucer skirts at Jeremy Scott.

7. It’s all about nude, white or black organza or tulle – at times almost transparent – overlaid with stunning embroidered flowers and jewels which almost looks like body art.

Embroideries shimmered at Marchesa; there was stretch crepe at Michael Kors; adorned suiting at Ralph Lauren; or gowns at Jenny Packham.

8. Sequins were another favourite – best examples were a hot pink catsuit at Jeremy Scott or timeless cocktail elegance at Tom Ford.

Pleats starred in a big way in the form of satin skirt panels at Bibhu Mohapatra and Taoray Wang, or pleated Grecian-style visions from Jenny Packham.

9. The most antagonistic US presidential election in modern history is weeks away, and the catwalk was rife with politics.

Vogue editor-in-chief Anna Wintour hosted a fundraiser for Hillary Clinton; Prabal Gurung challenged feminist Gloria Steinem; and Johny Dar showed off a “Jeans for Refugees” initiative to raise money for migrants.

Up and coming designer Kerby Jean-Raymond sent out a collection inspired by financial greed, and railed against gentrification in Harlem in his Bernie vs Bernie show – as in Sanders and Madoff.

Marc Jacobs brings New York Fashion Week to a sparkling conclusion

10. Sleeves were long and necks were high, but sexiness came from cut-outs – at the back and midriff from Ralph Lauren, or slashed high at the thigh in micro miniskirts from Marc Jacobs.