As I was watching the Fall 2014 runway collections last month, I pinned what the designers of the collections wore to their own fashion shows. As the creators of trendsetting fashion, I find it extremely interesting to see how they present themselves to the world, especially against the backdrop of their collection. 

Of course, their style is extremely varied — everything from trendy to classic, neutral to brights, avant-garde to nondescript, dressy to casual and polished to rough around the edges — but I did find a few general themes.

Their Own Creations

• Trousers and cashmere sweater from the designer’s own line.
• Tracy Reese in her own fit-and-flare dress with gold sneakers.
• Diane von Furstenberg wears one of her own dresses with hose and sandals.
• Lela Rose in a jacket from her own collection with ankle pants.
  
• Carolina Herrera in her own A-line suit with booties.
  

Urban Casual

• Fabulous his and hers matching harem pants with the family boxer. They had me with the doggie so this one is my favourite designer style.
• Grey jeans, leather bomber and big black trainers.
• Leather cropped pants and white sneakers.
• Black and white with layers and beanie.
• Isabel Marant in white jeans with shearling booties and oversized topper.
• Alexander Wang in very simple black and grey.
• White makes everything look fresh.
• Skinnies and a turtleneck.
• Opening Ceremony is casual, comfy, fun and happy.
• A little belt glitz to repeat the colours in his hair.

Smart Casual

• Tadashi Shoji in signature colourful jeans with dressy separates and geek chic specs.
• The statement scarf with blazer.
• Ralph Lauren matches sleek with hiking boots.
• White out.
• Buttoned up with a waistcoat.

Black from Head to Toe

• Textured and angular.
• Slouchy and drapey.
  
• Jason Wu in trousers, tee and blazer.
• Mary Katrantzou in a dash of ink.
  
• Michael Kors in tailored black.
  

Dressy

• Victoria Beckham in a midi, sweater and pointy toe pumps.
  
• Body con and alluring.
  
• Double-breasted blazer with tight pants.
• Classic business casual for Dries Van Noten.
  
• Twin Suits from Dsquared.
• Tom Ford is Dapper Deluxe.
• Zac Posen brings back the ‘70s.
  

Eccentric

• Bearded preppy country style from Costello Tagliapietra.
• Oversized skirt and sweater with opaques and sneakers for her, but urban casual for him.
• Donna Karan in avant-garde and earthy hard edge.
• Phillip Lim is baggy, retro and crisp with big white sneakers.
• Karl Lagerfeld in his uniform.
• Vivienne Westwood in a kaftan with headpiece.
• Floral moto with ankle pants.

Super Casual 

• Comfy rolled jeans and roomy tops for Creatures of the Wind.
• Jeans, white tee and sneakers for Prabal Gurung.
  
• Jeans, shirt and trainers for Richard Chai.
  
• Khakis, tee and sneakers for Joseph Altuzarra.
• Khakis, sweaters, sneakers and a guitar.
  
• Comfy maternity style.
• Marc Jacobs in Adidas track pants.
• Pajama-esque.

Perhaps most of all, and perhaps expectedly, I find that designers march to their own drum. Whether it is conservative or crazy, their style is seldom a slave to the trends.