9 fashionable things to look forward to in ‘09

Fashion has its ups and downs every year, and 2008 was no exception.

As a nation, we watched our fellow Americans clean up well at the Beijing Olympics courtesy of Ralph Lauren. We ran to salons seeking pixie cuts and bangs. And we watched as Alaska Gov. Sarah Palin (or was it Tina Fey?) became the ultimate girl who wears glasses.

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Claire Folger/Handout

Anne Hathaway (left) and Kate Hudson play best friends and dueling brides in the upcoming movie ‘Bride Wars.’

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File photo/AJC

The third season of ‘Mad Men’ begins this summer, and the show’s rave reviews include the period fashion worn by January Jones (from left), Christina Hendricks and Elisabeth Moss.

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Isaac Mizrahi New York/Handout

This nude sheath from Isaac Mizrahi’s spring collection is available at Jeffrey Atlanta.

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Morry Gash/AP

Starting Jan. 20, all eyes will be on new first lady Michelle Obama and her fashion sense.

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On the flip side, fashion followers mourned the death of Yves Saint Laurent and boo-hooed as the economy forced us to downsize our Chanel dreams to fit Wal-Mart wallets.

Atlanta, naturally, had its own share of style highs and lows.

We shopped with enthusiasm when major retailers such as Pottery Barn and H&M erected shiny flagship stores here, and we welcomed independent boutiques including Mims Atlanta and Meringue to the shopping scene. But as the months wore on and times got tougher, we shuddered as DressCodes shuttered, Blue Genes went bankrupt and glossy Atlanta Peach magazine met a “pit”-iful end.

Yes, these are uncertain times … but as ever, fashion and style marches on. So hold on to your hope as we move into 2009 and prepare for these nine stylish indulgences that we already know are coming this way.

“Bride Wars” — Jan. 9

“The Devil Wears Prada” it is not. But with trendsetters Anne Hathaway and Kate Hudson as co-stars, we expect “Bride Wars” — the upcoming flick about two friends who go all bridezilla on each other while planning competing wedding ceremonies — to be just the eye-candy Atlanta brides need as they plan their own nuptials.

Sprouse in the house (of Louis Vuitton) — Jan. 9

In homage to artist Stephen Sprouse, who designed Louis Vuitton’s iconic graffiti logo bags in 2001, Vuitton creative director Marc Jacobs has issued a limited-edition collection to coincide with a Sprouse retrospective (he died in 2004) at Deitch Projects in New York and Rizzoli’s publication of “The Stephen Sprouse Book.” The collection includes a $380 pareo with neon green graffiti, a $1,500 Graffiti Keepall bag and a Rose Speedy for $1,200. Reps at Louis Vuitton Lenox Square said they would be getting items from the collection, but weren’t sure which or how many of each would be available.

Obama style — Jan. 20 … and beyond

Will it be Diane Von Furstenberg, Michael Kors or a hometown hero who dresses soon-to-be first lady Michelle Obama for the upcoming inauguration? Like it or not, Obama’s inaugural gown (the designer has yet to be announced) will set the tone for the Obama White House years far more than Barack Obama’s predictable tuxedo. Once the big day is over, look forward to viewing the style selections of the woman (oh yeah, and the man) who has stirred up the most fashion chatter Pennsylvania Avenue has heard in more than four decades.

High fashion and art — Jan. 31

“Catwalk Meets Canvas” marks the 2009 kickoff of Art Partners, an organization that supports the High Museum of Art through fund-raisers and events. Artists and designers including an Art Deco-influenced painter and a custom couture dressmaker will mingle with guests at Regents Park at Peachtree Battle. We expect events mixing fashion and art to continue throughout the year, signaling the rise of a more artfully fashionable Atlanta.

Phipps fashion — March

The Simon Spring Fashion Show expected to take place at Phipps Plaza is invite only, but event organizers hope it will become Atlanta’s premier annual fashion event for spring. Fashions from retail partner Saks Fifth Avenue will be shown on a catwalk in the mall’s South Court for the enjoyment (and purchase) of an anticipated 200 to 250 guests.

The no-color color — spring

We wouldn’t believe it if we hadn’t seen it all over the runways for spring. Nude shoes, nude skirts and nude dresses ranging from pink or peach flesh tones to earthy neutrals were all the rage. Designers including Philip Lim, Yves Saint Laurent and Isaac Mizrahi (the sheath dress pictured is available at Jeffrey Atlanta) all jumped on the trend … and you should, too.

Jump to it — spring

Speaking of fashion trends to jump on, the jumpsuit is officially back. We’ve already spotted versions at some of some of our favorite local haunts, including a jersey jumpsuit with elasticized ankles at Bill Hallman Flaunt. Look for a classy black strapless version (right) at Theory Phipps Plaza.

“Mad Men” season 3 — summer

A new season of the stylish AMC series returns this summer, according to a network spokesperson. If the twisted plot lines about New York ad men in the 1960s isn’t enough to keep you watching, then the period fashions (pencil skirts, bullet bras and more) dreamed up by costume designer and former Atlanta design student Janie Bryant should help keep you enthralled.

She by Sherée Whitfield — fall

The fledgling clothing line from Sherée Whitfield of Bravo’s “Real Housewives of Atlanta” is slated to become a reality this year as Whitfield gets busy launching a full collection with a strong emphasis on dresses.

“I love dresses,” Whitfield says. “They will be feminine, sexy and edgy.” The collection will have a great color palette and beautiful fabrics, Whitfield says, and will feature tops, pants, a skirt or two and at least one hot jacket to dress up or down. “She by Sherée is for the modern woman,” Whitfield says. “The woman today who is confident, a working woman or a mom. She knows what she likes, and knows what she wants. She is so many things, and she doesn’t compromise.”