Nothing gets me quite as excited as a runway show. The thumping, instinctual music, gorgeous models strutting down elaborate halls parading the newest trends and designs. Watching, waiting to see what glorious works of art Cavalli (simply because he is my favorite designer) and others have been driving themselves insane to create. And of course, if you' re going to watch, you should take something away from it.

     As i was watching these shows, I noticed a particular trend that I have not seen so popular....ever. Let' s return to the instinctual, thumping music shall we. You hear these intense drum beats, and images of african tribes and the wildlife of the savannah run through your mind. The first model enters, feet moving in sync with every thud of the drum. It only seems right that she would come out in an outfit suitable for a safari. I see a parade of earth tones. Sandy browns, muted greens, and even some animal prints. From belted jackets to seemingly utilitarian shorts and canvas accessories, the safari style has taken over the runway. You can see it everywhere, Donna Karen' s sporty shorts accompanied with wide belts, Michael Kors' interpretation of high class meets the savannah, and Stella McCartney' s canvas colered apparell. This trend seems to be seeping into every designer' s mind.

     Now, while some trends seem to be all the rage on the runway, many times they stay there. However, I have confidence in this one. I fully believe that once you get imitations being sold in a major retailer, everything is set for the next season. As I was watching TV one day, I looked up to see an old navy commercial on. Of course, this was not huge news, but as I looked up I couldn' t help but feel joy when I saw the little trend that could wrapped around three gorgeous models bodies. There were these women, all dolled up, covorting around with each other, flashing their safari suits in vibrant reds. Their safari dresses with buttons casually falling down the front in muted earth tones. And then there was the Giraffe print safari style dress, though this particular dress is really not for the faint of heart. I felt like a proud parent watching these clothes get paraded around for 30 seconds in between sex and the city reruns.

     Now, with all the trends out this spring, why am I so involved in this one? Well, there are a few factors. As I stated before, I have not seen this African safari style used very frequently on the New York runway. Now, that isn' t to say that designers have never dipped into the tribal influence. I fondly remember Givenchy' s evening gowns which he tailored in such a manner as to incorporate African tribal masks into the bustline and torso. However, that is couture, and sadly couture is not so readily available to the public. I' ve somewhat fallen in love with this trend in particular because it' s very fun and easy, something that can often times be hard to find in fashion. Most women can wear it, reguardless of whether or not they' re carrying a few extra pounds, as most women are. Though a great pair of gams doesn' t hurt the overall look of a sexy animal print dress. Plus, as we' ve seen with Old Navy, it' s a style that can be very easily translated into real wearable items for the average american woman. A trend to me needs to be accessible, whether or not most major designers utilized it. What' s it worth if nobody but Paris Hilton can wear it?

     Perhaps it' s the bold animal prints, but this style seems to jump out to me. It has gripped my attention and simply won' t let go. I' m watching the little dress that could, make it to the big time.