Be prepared for stark contrasts next year. The fashion trend that will rule Spring/Summer 2013 is indeed black and white.

Monochrome tones are the buzz on the catwalk in New York, with flashes of grey and silver for added dimension after New York Fashion Week ( NYFW).

It was a manic week of a lot of dresses and prints.

While colours still prevailed, the two-tone combination is striking because almost every fashion house showed that option.

It was stripes at Michael Kors and Marimekko (the Finnish brand made its NYFW debut this year).

Checks were shown at Vivienne Tam, Jenny Packham and Lacoste – with an adorable dress with a print of polo shirts forming squares.

Bouquets of flowers were shown at Monique Lhuillier, Jason Wu, Anna Sui, Donna Karen New York, 3.1 Philip Lim and Diane von Furstenberg.

Marc Jacobs had a black-and-white animal print and Nicole Miller, BCBGMAXAZRIA and Rodarte went graphic.

Alexander Wang, Diesel Black Gold and Korean designer Parkchoonmoo decided the best way to display two-tone would be as solids.

Black and white it may have been, but this Fashion Week certainly was not dull.

Fashion fans are still gossiping about the slapping incident at the Zac Posen show.

New York Daily News reported that PR woman Lynn Tesoro was slapped by Jalouse editor Jennifer Eymere after an argument over Eymere’s mother not having a front row seat.

Tesoro is now suing Eymere for US$1 million (S$1.23 million).

I have witnessed fashion insiders throwing tantrums when – horrors! – they realise they are on the second row but no one was ever slapped (even though I’m sure the temptation was there).

If only the Singapore fashion weeks could be this dramatic!

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