For all the allure of this
fall’s fashion trends (touches of lace, bursts of colour, bouquets of floral prints and bejeweled accessories), there was another trend that made the front row sit up and take note: slivers of subtly exposed skin were commanding attention. We’re not talking about plunging necklines or low-rise denim. Rather, designers were creating new erogenous zones and playing peek-a-boo with everything from the ankles to the crest of the shoulder, proving that when it comes to flesh and fashion, the power of suggestion is much sexier than overexposure.


Erogenous zone #2: Ankles

A hundred years ago, baring your ankles was a bold and daring move for a woman. Fast-forward to 2011, and it’s still confident and sexy (granted it may not have the same pioneering spirit). This season’s midi-length skirts, rife with pleats, slits and layers, put the emphasis on the lower legs in new and interesting ways (think Givenchy, Rodarte, D&G and Mugler). And if you are wondering what footwear to pair with a calf-grazing skirt or trouser, Chanel paired midi-length jumpsuits with lit-up pumps to put the spotlight squarely on ankles. Meanwhile, at Just Cavalli, cropped trousers and stacked heel loafers commanded the same attention.

Erogenous zone #2: Midriffs

It’s all about highlighting a woman’s waist in a variety of tasteful ways this season. The appeal of this trend is that it shows just a snippet of the midriff, leaving lots to the imagination. Vena Cava paired crop tops with high-waisted, pleated skirts, while Derek Lam used cut-outs to define the waist and show some skin on his floor-sweeping gowns. Stella McCartney added sheer panels to dresses to contour curves.


Erogenous zone #3: Shoulders

There are plenty of ways to
draw attention to your shoulders this fall, without resorting to the shoulder pad. Yves Saint Laurent exposed a naked shoulder with halter necklines; runway darling Haider Ackermann draped jewel-toned dresses across one shoulder. And there’s even room for the skin-shy to get in on the trend with sheer sleeves to show a hint of the shoulder, as seen at Adam and Valentino.
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Erogenous zone #4: Collarbone

You won’t see much cleavage this season, but who needs it when you can accentuate the delicate lines of the collarbone instead. Some designers used accessories to play up this region: Brass collar necklaces stole the show at Louis Vuitton and Michael Kors while Donna Karan had short, chunky necklaces resting on the collarbone of almost every model that walked in her show. And Stefano Pilati of Yves Saint Laurent knows how to show off the collarbone in more ways than one. He used scoop necks that elegantly emphasize the collarbone, and sheer fabrics cinched in around the neck and draped across the upper chest area drawing attention to what is underneath.

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