Spotted: The Spring 2019 Trends Fashion Is Flipping Over

Welcome to Runway Matters, where we're delivering notes straight from the runway so you can quickly digest the most important trends and moments from the S/S 19 shows.

Balenciaga, without fail, is one of those shows that dictates a majority of the season's most popular trends. Whether it be colorways, silhouettes, or some other nuanced detailing, Balenciaga is a collection you could sift through to really comprehend the season at hand. This S/S 19 collection was no different. Ahead, read up on the trends that stood out among the new collection, leaving the fashion crowds in a frenzy.

Trend #1: Virtual Reality 

The sets throughout fashion month this season have been pretty minimal, so when attendees entered the venue for the Balenciaga S/S 19 show, it's safe to say jaws were dropped. Tunneling the runway (and seated guests along with it) was a backdrop clad with flickering images, instantly transporting you to another world—a virtual one. The computerized set was designed and created by digital artist Jon Rafman. It wasn't until the show begun that the audience really understood just how huge of a role this sensory overload of a backdrop would play in relation to the collection—a collection that was modern, elegant, yet still so Balenciaga.

Trend #2: Nip-and-Tuck Tailoring

The show began, and out came marching structured, strong-shouldered, cinched-in-the-waist coats in every variation. Thanks to Demna Gvasalia's past collections for the house, we were used to seeing such distinct tailoring, but there was something particularly fresh about the lineup of outerwear he presented this time around. Instead of drowning the looks in handfuls of layers and oversize accessories, he let the pieces speak for themselves, ultimately making them that much more wearable.

Trend #3: Party People

This year's fall collections showed a slew of festive party frocks, and as told by Balenciaga, spring 2019 is following suit. If you looked closely enough, you could find a party dress for everyone in your friend group—the fashion girl, the classic girl, and the artsy girl. Now that you have an excuse to go out and an outfit to do it in, there's really nothing stopping you.

Trend #4: It's Casual

Much to our surprise, there were a handful of looks that read wearable just as they were. Instead of making us mentally dissect what one piece would actually look like on a body that wasn't a model's, the clothing was styled casually and simply enough to allow our imaginations to sit idle in the best way. Maybe this is what Gvasalia was getting at all along with this collection. The overwhelming busyness of the backdrop was perfectly juxtaposed by the simplicity of the clothing, ultimately forcing you to hone in on what was right in front of you—a spring collection people could actually wear. 

Trend #5: Exemplary Eveningwear 

The show closed out with eveningwear everyone from our grandmothers to Gigi Hadid would gladly arrive at a black-tie event in: silky coordinating separates that perfectly draped together, appearing as one timeless gown. Once again, there was nothing left to the imagination with these looks. Just the simplicity of a really great formal ensemble that needed no overanalyzing. 

Next up, shop the best Zara outfits spotted all over fashion month.