Here and noir

Black is having a major moment. Plummeting stocks, falling NASDAQ figures, the global recession have all been fingered as the cause of the mournful shade’s return. Does the return of black signal the demise of consumerism?

That hardly seems the case. While designer labels have continued to hike up their prices, the breaking US housing bubble notwithstanding, women have shrugged off the florals that have been so popular of late, opting instead to cloak themselves in all-black ensembles that, in the words of a certain late rapper, seem to say, “Don’t f*ck with me.”

What analysts have failed to note is that black has never truly left fashion’s consciousness. The wheelers and dealers have maintained their daily uniform, the black suits, tights and killer stilettos, despite the girlishness that previously purveyed the catwalks.

Since sleek, minimalist silhouettes started infiltrating advertising and editorial pages — and these styles often come in black — the somber hue is back in its place as the color of power.

Women are currently embracing the strong shoulder, the bold jacket and the not-so-basic boot. While ruffles and pretty pastel hues will always be present in most women’s wardrobes, tougher, more tailored apparel has taken center stage. No more shy, fluttering feminine silhouettes for the moment.

It’s not so much the recession that has consumers flogging those logo-laden labels and opting instead for something that makes a stronger statement but a feeling of timeliness.

Case in point: Anna Wintour’s immaculate bob, signature shades and ladylike dresses looked classic and timeless during her tour of duty at fashion week, but it was the French Vogue girls in their dashing, black attire — Emmanuelle Alt in her fringed black Prada boots, second-skin denim pants and motorcycle jacket and Carine Roitfeld in her figure-hugging Balmain and Alaia — that looked so very of-the-moment. 

Those girls in black cut a swathe through the fur-swaddled swans attired in autumnal separates at Paris and New York fashion weeks looking like the proverbial million bucks.

Black is back in the spotlight. And, if it gives recessionistas some comfort, the great thing about black is that goes with everything and, when you’re too hungover to launder your clothes, can go for a second wear without washing. But don’t tell anyone I said that.