We're not fortune tellers, but we can already tell you what Fall '16 looks like. Our favorite designers are offering up a glimpse at their latest collections with a sketch — or even a photograph — before the looks even hit the runways. In this lineup, we spy easy layers, '70s influences, and a pink palette from the likes of J.Crew, Marissa Webb, and Tibi. Take a look inside and become the trend expert before Fashion Week even begins.
"A little bit of this . . . a little bit of that." – Somsack Sikhounmuong, women's designer
"Controlled Ease."
"Dandizette." — Marissa Webb, designer
"Inspired by the tension of structured ease." — Michael Anderson, senior vice president of design
"New York City circa the 70s . . . the downtown art scene at the time when the city was financially imploding and culturally exploding with creativity." — Stacey Bendet, designer
"As a child my family spent time in England and I remember my uncle’s mother Jean a well-known print designer working in London in the 60's and 70's. She created beautiful floral prints, exotic Indian paisleys and patterns - often inspired by Kate Greenway's illustrations. Jean's influence and spirit is found in my latest collection. It’s a collage of textures, techniques and flora motifs made modern in their application. I'd like to tribute this collection to her - Jean passed away late last year at the grand old age of 100." - Rebecca Taylor, designer
"Hybrid" — Lubov Azria, chief creative officer of BCBGMAXAZRIA Group
"This season the global traveler was the force behind our inspiration. I wanted the collection to reflect a girl who is confident and at ease regardless of her surroundings. She’s curious and loves color and doesn’t shy away from adventure." — Designer, Rebecca Minkoff
"I wanted to create a presentation that's experiential, where the pieces are bold in imagination. I wanted to create a moment that speaks to fantasy and inspiration." — Mara Hoffman, designer
"Fall 2016 is a play on masculine tailoring and feminine silhouettes. With juxtaposition between androgyny and romance, there is a subtle and unexpected sexiness throughout." — Rachel Zoe, designer
"The Royal Gardens" — Georgina Chapman and Keren Craig, cofounders
"The collection is a tableau vivant of musical references, pairing nineties grunge with sixties insouciance shown here in a slouchy hand knit cable cardigan paired with an abbreviated skirt of layered razor sharp pleats." — Ulla Johnson, designer
"Our muse is a performer at heart, with an artistic sensibility." — Lubov Azria, chief creative officer of BCBGMAXAZRIA Group
"My Fall collection was inspired by the modern day woman and reflects her emotions, moods and experiences through strong looks created with bold colors and contrasting textures." — Monique Lhuillier, designer
"Past Modern.” — Elie Tahari, designer
"Wild, romantic, lavish." — Dennis Basso, designer
"The artist Jonas Wood served as an early inspiration for the collection, especially with his use of geometrics and botanics. There is an exploration of leaves and the graphic geometry inherent in their patterns. The leaf shapes and patterns can be seen in our prints, embroideries, jewelry details, and even shapes." — Lela Rose, designer
"Juxtaposition." – Daniel Corrigan and Chelsea Hansford, creative directors
"VEDA's Fall/Winter 16 collection draws inspiration from a number of influences from creative director Lyndsey Butler's travels and experiences. Butler drew on her Southwestern roots by incorporating traditional equestrian tack and attire into her latest collection. There is also a combination of textures and strong colors, the use of various leathers and weights, as well as silks, suedes, and cashmere."
"In the shadow of innocence, surrounding light is exposed." — Yigal Azrouel, designer
"My Fall 2016 collection was first inspired by artist Sheila Hicks' 'Art of the Yarn' exhibit. After researching her work and the idea of yarn design as a form of art, I became inspired by all the many different techniques of knitting and weaving in fabrications. We looked at different ways to knit, twist and manipulate fabric into pieces that had structure but were still soft and elegant. To modernize these techniques, we digitally printed knitted fibers onto silk jerseys, cottons, and wool in order to capture the idea of a knit — without the process of knitting. Just as Hicks weaves textured narratives with yarn, we tried to create a collection with story progression." — Christian Siriano, designer
"We design for the women that surround us, our new collection embodies these women." — Jens Grede and Erik Torstensson, cofounders and designers
"From couture/utilitarian to soft/structured and masculine/feminine, my MILLY Fall 2016 collection is a spirited study of duality." – Milly Smith, founder and designer
"Paolo Soleri."
"We were inspired by different finds from our travels, such as vintage horse blankets and foulard scarves, which we then morphed into something unexpected and very J.Crew.” – Frank Muytjens, men’s designer