A Fall Fashion Forecast with Designer Robert Rodriguez

After a two-year hiatus, Fash Bash returned to metro Detroit, and local fashionistas were all in attendance at Saks Fifth Avenue at Somerset Collection in Troy. The Aug. 26 event, staged by The Detroit Institute of Arts Founders Junior Council and Saks, raised more than $50,000 for the museum.
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After a two-year hiatus, Fash Bash returned to metro Detroit, and local fashionistas were all in attendance at Saks Fifth Avenue at Somerset Collection in Troy. The Aug. 26 event, staged by The Detroit Institute of Arts Founders Junior Council and Saks, raised more than $50,000 for the museum.

In town from Los Angeles for the evening was fashion designer Robert Rodriguez, whose fall collection was shown on Saks’ rooftop runway. Before the show, Rodriguez spoke with Hour Detroit about his fashion inspirations.
How did the collaboration with Saks and the Detroit Institute of Arts Founders Junior Council Fash Bash come about?
They came to me and asked me if I wanted to be a part of it and I support Saks in every way, so I said ‘absolutely.’ I have been with Saks for many years, and I love participating in anything that has to do with charity.
Can you tell me about your featured pieces in the fashion show?
I picked them from the look book. It’s from the fall collection.
What was your inspiration for this collection?
The inspiration behind it was steampunk, which was an underground movement in the 18th century. It was all about the steam engines and how everything ran on steam. It was a mix of Victorian with steampunk and mechanics.
What do you foresee as the biggest trends for the upcoming season?
Probably a little more feminine and flowy, not so rocker and ’80s. I feel like we are getting away from that. For spring, I was inspired by a treasure. My collection is about the Sahara Desert and finding a treasure, finding all the things you love in that treasure.
Do you have a style muse, and why? 
Oh, boy. I have dressed a lot of celebrities: Heidi Klum and Rihanna. Rihanna is probably one of my favorites; she wears a lot of my stuff. She wore one of my [pieces] on Saturday Night Live, and it was wonderful to see.
How would you describe a Robert Rodriguez woman/ customer?
She’s eclectic, she’s a downtown girl, she’s an uptown girl. She has a bit of an edge, but still feminine. I design for a wide range of women. She is young, contemporary. She’s fit and strong. She’s all about fashion.
Fashion advice you can give our readers?
Don’t wear Uggs. [Laughs].