By Drew Taylor
One of the most pervasive trends to hit the fall/winter 2013 runways in New York this week is also blessedly practical – lush, unapologetically luxe fur.
Pelts popped up everywhere from accessories—like the chic take on trapper hats at Michael Kors and oversized mittens at both Alexander Wang and Altuzarra—to touches of trim on jackets and dresses, as well as full-fledged fur wraps and coats.
It was fitting, then, that designer and furrier extraordinaire Dennis Basso celebrated his 30th anniversary this season. As celebrity fans like the Joans (that’s Rivers and Collins, of course) looked on from the front row, Basso demonstrated what he does best—sumptuous exotic skins and glamorous fur outerwear for the uptown set.
Over on the accessories front, young designer Isa Tapia previewed her fall collection at a suite in New York’s Empire Hotel, just steps from all the action at the Lincoln Center. In addition to her signature statement-making heels, I was delighted to get a glimpse of Tapia’s first ever handbag designs. Not only are they beautifully made, they’re right on trend for fall—fur trim gives this adorable oxblood cross-body bag a warm and fuzzy feel.