Somber clothing reflects ominous times

KNIGHT RIDDER NEWSPAPERS
Fashion is inevitably influenced by world events. We all know that.
But the fall shows that ended in Paris recently seemed to underscore the impact yet again.
These are ominous times. And the mood of the clothing for the upcoming season is somber. Muted and dark colors are strong. Styles are more often modest. Legs tend to be covered in opaque tights.
And as the Middle East remains in the news, some designers are apparently riding the wave to the extreme, Time magazine notes. The Japanese collection Undercover draped the models' faces with paper bag-like masks. The innovative Dutch team Viktor and Rolf covered faces with fencing masks.
At Balenciaga, Time magazine's Kate Betts writes, one model wore a head scarf draped over a helmet and heavy dark platform oxfords.
During the week the front row of international buyers and media was buzzing with the word "Muslimification" of fashion. Shoe designer Christian Louboutin told Betts, "Right now there's so much happening in the Middle East that it's top of the mind; it's not by accident."