New York Fashion Week: Beckham Explores Her Roots, Banana Republic Turns to France

NEW YORK— The Associated Press is all over New York Fashion Week, from the runway designs to the celebrity-filled front rows. Here are some recent highlights:___VICTORIA BECKHAM SHOWS WHAT VICTORIA BECKHAM WEARSBeckham wants us to know this: Her pers...
New York Fashion Week: Beckham Explores Her Roots, Banana Republic Turns to France
Victoria Beckham appears on the runway after her Fall 2016 collection was modeled during Fashion Week in New York, Sunday, Feb. 14, 2016. (AP Photo/Richard Drew)
The Associated Press
2/14/2016
Updated:
2/22/2016

David Beckham and his children wait for the the Victoria Beckham Fall 2016 collection to be modeled during Fashion Week in New York, Sunday, Feb. 14, 2016. (AP Photo/Richard Drew)
David Beckham and his children wait for the the Victoria Beckham Fall 2016 collection to be modeled during Fashion Week in New York, Sunday, Feb. 14, 2016. (AP Photo/Richard Drew)

“It feels like fall but you can wear those clothes any time, and that’s actually where the customers’ mindset is right now,” he said. “It’s the idea that you can buy it now, wear it now, and it did not feel overtly winter. It’s just chic clothes.”

As usual, Beckham’s hubby David Beckham and the kids were sitting front row.

French Influence Reigns at Banana Republic

When the Banana Republic design team looked for inspiration for their fall collection, they turned to one place: France.

“We really were cultural tourists and took tons of photographs,” Michael Anderson, senior vice president of design said. “We went to these old vintage places. We went to these old mills and these old print houses. We took a wealth of knowledge back to the studio with us.”

That wealth of knowledge translated into classic pieces for men and women filled with pops of color including orange, red, maroon and blue. Those brightly colored pieces are meant to be layered with neutral palettes which are a Banana staple.

Imagine a long, flowing dress taking center stage next to turtleneck sweaters, peacoats, plus leather gloves and jackets.

“We were looking at how French men and women dress,” Anderson explained. “There is a certain style they have: casual and tailored, high and low. Ultimately it’s just beautifully feminine. We wanted to celebrate that beautiful feminine look.”

The budget-friendly looks were styled in a way that seemed effortlessly chic, which is exactly what the brand intended.

“The sweet spot is to have a beautiful versatile product that you can wear day in and day out,” Anderson said.