New York Fashion Week starts tomorrow and fashion tastemakers have slated bright, bold neons and sportswear as Spring/Summer 2012’s hautest trends. Nearly 100 designers will show their collections during fashion week, all of which are expected to show the most versatile of clothing ranges for buyers from Saks Fifth Avenue, Neiman Marcus and a host of others.

“Designers are thinking about what does the customer not have and what ultimately will do well at retail, and customers respond to color.” says Neiman Marcus Fashion Director Ken Downing.

Buyers from Saks and Nordstrom are also expecting to see sportswear on the the runway. Much more than sweats and a tank top, next season’s idea of sportswear should be chic and minimal, featuring versatile separates. Saks Senior Fashion Director Colleen Sherin dubbed the sportswear trend “urban sport” and insists the runway looks should suit the woman on the go:

“It’s this idea of clothes that fit a woman’s more casual lifestyle, more active lifestyle, but that are still appropriate in an urban environment for city wear.”

Designers who have set the standard for chic sportswear include Zac Posen and Derek Lam.

New York Fashion Week sets the fashion set in motion and is followed by events in London, Paris and Milan.

Source: Reuters.com