For fans of girlish dressing, New York Fashion Week was a veritable "Where's Waldo?" for bows on clothing. Erin Fetherston's doll-like models donned them from head to toe in the form of large bow headpieces, bow-tied waist belts and large bow-shaped crystal embellishments on tops.

Erin Fetherston

Venexiana

More than just an accoutrement, some bows were an intricate part of the dress design. Bow shapes were built into the structure of E.Y. Wada's dresses, skirts and trousers, cleverly made in shiny satins to enhance the rusched effect.  Previously we've seen how creasing at a bow's center can accentuate busts, here it also work well against the rise of the crotch where natural creasing occurs upon sitting and standing. It makes for a surprisingly natural choice.

 

E.Y. Wada

 

J Mendel

J. Mendel created the illusion of models wrapped like gifts using ultra wide ribbon to cinch models at the waist and shoulders, which seemingly held the fabric of the gowns in place. One full skirted gown had ribbon tendrils spilling out the front, reminiscent of a Christmas present. The emphasis was not so much on separate bows in J Mendel's gowns but on the role of the black ribbon-like fabric tying the gown together.

Georges Chakra didn't hold back with his heavy use of bows, even opting to create his own signature, sharp edged bows, formed from slick and shiny fabric or bright satin, which spoke to a more modern rather than traditional sense of femininity.

Georges Chakra

Verrier

For the most part, trimming with ribbon and attaching small bows to existing pieces is an easy way to add a pretty punch of femininity to plainer pieces the same way as Verrier, E.Y Wada and Farah Angsana who accented jackets and skirts with smaller ribbons and bows. Anna Sui chose opulent ribbons in satin and plush velvet to match her vibrant prints.

The hot new accessory for this trend is the bow belt. Made in leather at Andy and Debb, brown, black and tan versions of the simply tied belt were worn with trousers as well as over jumpsuits, vests, sweaters and coats to cinch baggier pieces into soft round shapes.

Andy and Debb

The variety of designers embracing the trend in such different ways lends itself to any number of open interpretations. So tie your bow however and wherever you like it.

*All images courtesy of Mercedes-Benz Fashion Week*

About the Author: With a degree in Psychology from Brown University, Miko Laube creates intuitive fashion articles drawn from her experiences as a stylist, makeup artist and dancer in San Francisco. She credits her upbringing in cosmopolitan Hong Kong and her mother, Yuka, for her fashion sensibility. You can submit a question to Miko through the "Ask The Expert" section or contact her directly at  miko@herstoknow.com.