New NY fashions appeal to stay-at-home traveler

By Ellen Wulfhorst

NEW YORK (Reuters) - Imaginative styles evoking journeys to far-off lands dominated New York fashion shows this week, with experts saying the spring lines reflect consumers' economic woes and desire to escape uncertainty.

Travel-inspired slouchy trousers, trench coats, dreamy chiffons and exotic prints filled the runways, where hundreds of designers showed spring 2009 collections to buyers, media, trend-setters and critics in the semi-annual Fashion Week.

"With the recession and with the uncertainty of the presidential election looming, I think everyone wants an escape," said Tim Gunn, creative director at Liz Claiborne and a star of Bravo television's popular "Project Runway" show.

"I do," he added.

Fashion arbiter Anna Wintour, editor in chief at Vogue magazine, said designers were showing optimistic styles and focusing on their signature looks.

"No one's trying anything too insane," she told Reuters. "We're not going to see a lot of dark, dreary clothes.

"In times like these, women want to look pretty without doing anything too over the top. We've got enough bad news as it is," she said.

Designer Rubin Singer, who called his collection "Voyage," said he based the looks on luxury sea travel of the 1940s.

Rebecca Taylor said she created her collection with a "bohemian world traveler" in mind, and models at the show by Charles Nolan had maps and passports as accessories.

"We are playing on the idea of travel, not in the literal sense but the creative," Nolan said.

Tibi designer Amy Smilovic said her collection grew from a vision of "A Room with a View, set in Asia, in the 1980s," and she offered a "spice trade" blouse and "dragon lady" gown.

Peter Som said his collection was inspired by the Sahara.

Singer said he envisioned a woman escaping the tedium and troubles of everyday life to explore new worlds.

"My last collection was very aggressive, very dark, very edgy," Singer said. "I think that people are ready for something that's not so dismal. I think it's bleak enough."

Escapism has served designers well in the past, said Judy Licht, co-host of the Full Frontal Fashion television program.