When spring 2013 comes around, you'd better be ready to make a fashion statement. New York Fashion Week's designers went for bold -- whether it was saturated colors or graphic prints or overarching inspirations. Here's a glimpse of what's coming next. SARA GLASSMANStripes

Ernie and Bert are having a fashion moment. From Marc Jacobs to Michael Kors to Rag and Bone, stripes will be horizontal and vertical and dramatically graphic. Designers showed all sorts of geometric-inspired prints, but look for stripes in every direction.

Leather

Leather lightens up for spring, but you'll find the unlikely material everywhere for warmer weather. Perhaps this has to do with the fact that seasonless dressing is a trend itself. Try leather as a trim or add an edge with a lightweight skirt, jacket or dress. At Jason Wu, the designer balanced black leather with airy lace.

Adventure

Designers were out to make a statement and included bolder prints and new technologies as never seen before at New York Fashion Week. That included Ralph Lauren, whose Spanish romp included dramatic blanket stripes, boleros and Cordobes hats.

COVERED-UP CHIC
On her personal quest to dress modestly and fashionably, Zahra Aljabri of Minneapolis was challenged. So much so that she and her husband, James H. Faghmous, launched mode-sty.com for likeminded shoppers, who wanted to cover their arms or wear knee-length skirts or keep everything under wraps without wearing layered sacks.
It's a truly personal and individual way of dressing for Aljabri. "I'd define being a modest dresser as expressing your style and beauty while only revealing whatever you are comfortable with or choose to reveal."
During the site's monthly sales, you can find Calvin Klein, Diane von Furstenberg, Michael Kors and BCBG, along with local designers Margaret Mousley and Cynthia Rae as well as up-and-comers Amber Patton and Jessica Rose, for $40 to $250. For September's sale, they're focusing on little black dresses "because traditional LBDs tend to be too revealing for our members," Aljabri said.
They've also partnered with Alison Kahn, who styles "Big Bang Theory" star and modest dresser Mayim Bialik, to give away a personal styling session. Look for mode-sty.com to launch with a full-scale e-boutique in January 2013.

PICK OF THE WEEK: Pomme de Terrre tees

$30 to $40

Not ready to commit to a tattoo, but want to capture some of the edginess? Now you can, thanks to a collaboration between local boutique owner Liz Schiller and tattoo artist Shawn Hebrank. The two partnered to create the collection of printed items featuring whimsical lines and strong graphics like body art, but without leaving the lifelong mark.

Juniper, The Shoppes at Arbor Lakes, 12483 Elm Creek Blvd., Maple Grove, 763-315-9300.

SALES AND EVENTS

Thursday

Oscar de la Renta children's trunk show: Give your kids a fashion-forward start with the designer's pint-size line for spring 2013.

10 a.m. to 2 p.m., RSVP to 612-377-5707 for event location.

Friday

MNFashion Week: The local fashion scene will host nine days of events. Highlights include fashion shows featuring Lindsey Hopkins, Christopher Straub and Nicole Larson (Tuesday); MAI, Marissa Bridges and Adrienne Yancy (Wednesday) and Samantha Rei and Emma Berg (Sept. 27).

See website www.mnfash.org for details and ticket information.

Saturday

Vintage Did It First: This event will showcase vintage looks similar to those featured on fall 2011 runways by Prada, Louis Vuitton and Ralph Lauren. During the event, there will be a 20 percent storewide discount.

7 p.m. Blacklist Vintage, 25 E. 26th St., Mpls., 612-141-4932. $5 cover.

Next week

Pacifier Grand Opening: The kids and baby store will celebrate the opening of its third location. During the event, 20 percent of proceeds will benefit Children's Home Society and Family Services.

10 a.m. to 8 p.m. with cocktails at 6 p.m., 4942 France Av. S., Edina.

Sara Glassman • 612-673-7177