Fashion Week: Nicki Minaj’s Gigantic Hair Bow, Plus Alicia Keys and Courtney Love at Alexander Wang

As the sun set on day three of NYFW, a trio of very specific trends have emerged that can be summed up in, yes, three words: bold, soft, and neon. Even though we are only a few days into fashion week, these three trends are taking a strong and powerful presence on the catwalk. From Alexander Wang’s biker chick chic to Christian Siriano’s ultra feminine taffeta explosions the runways are revealing the next wave of chic for Spring 2012.

PHOTOS: Front Row at New York Fashion Week, S/S 2012

Alexander Wang Spring 2012

VIBE: Young, fierce, sexy and confident Wang’s spring 2012 collection strutted onto the runway with a subversive badass bicker chick mentality. “I’ve been looking at motocross, NASCAR racing, and all the clothes that those the guys wear,” Wang explained backstage. With neon and extreme color blocking blossoming all over the runway, it was refreshing to see Wang’s original and ferocious take on Athleticism. Alicia Keys, Courtney Love and Lea Michele added celebrity sparkle to front row.

HOT ITEM: A black laser-cut mesh bomber is the ideal in a spring biker chic.

DESIGNER SOUND: “Baracuda” — Martiniq & Breitbarth. The eccentric and unapologetic tempo of the track accentuated the austere beauty and cool confidence of the collection.

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LACOSTE Spring 2012

VIBE: A sporty and relaxed chic collection danced out onto the runway at the Lacoste show. The Athletic inspired look made another début here only this time seemed to be more about relaxed comfort then a bold strong presence. The collection looked to the poise and elegance of those lucky few who leisured in the Villa Noailles in the south of France in the twenties. Sounds like a delightful concept!

HOT ITEM: A one floor-length jersey dress slashed all the way up the sides created an unexpected sexy look for the collection.

DESIGNER SOUND: “Crystalline,” Bjork and “Diplo Rhythm,” Diplo.

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Christian Siriano Spring 2012

VIBE: Creating an athletic chic, Christian Siriano‘s spring collection challenged contemporary concepts of eveningwear. Siriano revealed backstage that this bold evening look, complete with electric neon touches everywhere, sought inspiration from the lovely Katharine Hepburn. Simple, and bordering on the line of predictable, the collection consisted of straightforward silhouettes taking form from T-shirts belted into large cascading skirts. His former judges on Project Runway, Heidi Klum, and Nina Garcia of Marie Claire Magazine, sat front row smiling with approval throughout the show.

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HOT ITEM: The standout, a silk stripped bustier paired with a billowing tulle tangerine red ball skirt.

DESIGNER SOUND: Special melodies by Tracy Bonham, Juliana Hatfield and The Beautiful Bodies, all were uniquely remixed for his show.

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Jill Stuart Spring 2012

VIBE: Jill Stuart created a sweet and delicious runway dream for Spring 2012. An assortment of pastels so vibrant you could taste them strutted down the runway in the form of organza slipdresses and silk jackets. Imperied by Danish artist Evren Tekinoktay’s layered collages, Stuart complied a lovely collection that added a new flavor to the color blocking trend that is sweeping the runway.

Hot Item: An organza slipdresses decorated with a bird pattern

DESIGNER SOUND: “I Wanna be Your Boyfriend” and “Pet Sematary,” Ramones.

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Adam Spring 2012

VIBE: Soft and sweet, Adam’s collection focused on the ethereal and neon ever present spring trends. “I found inspiration in the energy of the West Chelsea neighborhood. I was mesmerized this summer watching our ‘runway in the sky’ the High Line…the juxtaposition of the strong colors of the individuals passing against the fresh and light backdrop.”

HOT ITEM: An organza party dress embroidered feverously with tiny French knots shined with a new age sparkle and was snatched straight off the runway and worn out later that night by Natalie Joos.

DESIGNER SOUND: “Isabel,” Baxter Dury

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Monique Lhuillier Spring 2012

VIBE: Start your engines and race into spring with Monique Lhuillier’s refined yet bold athletic inspired collection. Set on an electric blue and black striped runway, the collection followed in tandem with many other athletic looks that have been so prevalent on the Spring 2012 catwalks. Color blocking, and accents of leather and yellow trickled down the runway in the form of cocktail dresses and jersey tops.

PHOTOS: Front Row at New York Fashion Week, S/S 2012

HOT ITEM: The show stopper, a gorgeous romantically fluid ink strapless tufted ball gown, dripping with a cobalt blue ink pattern, was of course that last to walk the runway but well worth the wait.

DESIGNER SOUND: “Snows Melt,” Acid Washed Feat. Lippie; “Terrible Angels,” Charlotte Gainsbourg.

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Prabul Gurung Spring 2012

VIBE: Inspired by Japanese photographer Nobuyoshi Araki, who captured the sensuality of flowers, Prabal created an ethereal ultra feminine look with a biting modern edge. Soft purple flowers decorated everything from skirts to silk trousers and were given a fideistic edge with a latex coat and black laser-cut leather. Nicki Minaj, in all of her severe outrageous glory, sat front row clad in an enormous shiny hair bow looking seeming fascinated with the collection.

HOT ITEM: An engineered print gorgeous silk georgette dress, accessorized with a black leather and silk cord harness, was the perfect blend of delicate femininity with bicker bondage gear.

DESNGER SOUND: “Intro” M83 Feat. Zola Jesus.