Rachel Roy hopes her New York Fashion Week collection will help women survive troubled times

The American designer is keen to do all she can to help women get through the current global economic crisis, and claims her new designs will do just that.

She said: “With so much going on in the world right now, I wanted the clothes to be secondary to what women are doing, the problems they are trying to solve.”

Her collection included strong-shaped power pieces in delicate, feminine fabrics – successfully mixing supremacy with softness.

The models wore cropped wigs and strong make-up while wearing heavily tailored outfits with a distinctive lace lingerie touch.

She added to vogue.com: “That’s why it’s about monochromatic dressing. It’s a strong look and it’s easy to wear – wearing all one colour always looks good.”

Monique Lhuillier’s collection took on a more romanticised ideal with survivalist undertones, as wispy layers of fragile fabrics hung over ripped tights and laddered stockings hinting at determination and fight.

Away from the catwalk Halston entertained onlookers with a digital show which boasted an array of helium balloons, sequined tuxedos and party dresses skipping down the streets of New York.

The male ranges were also of a practical nature, as checks, knitwear and cosy layers frequented Guilded Age and John Bartlett’s collections, preparing the men for a much slower-pace.

Photo: Model from collection Spring/Summer 2009 of Rachel Roy
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