# Fabulous Fur-Topped Gowns The J Mendel Pre-Fall 2012 Collection Fuses Elegance with Edginess By Souzan Michael | Published 2011-12-24 | Luxury Source: Trend Hunter, https://www.trendhunter.com/trends/j-mendel-pre-fall-2012 References: [style](http://www.style.com/fashionshows/review/2012PF-JMENDEL) & [nymag](http://nymag.com/fashion/fashionshows/2012/prefall/main/newyork/womenrunway/jmendel/) The easiest way to add a touch of edge and a downtown-cool look to an evening gown is through the use of accessories, and the J Mendel Pre-Fall 2012 collection demonstrates that idea flawlessly. By topping off breathtaking evening gowns in feminine hues and sophisticated fabrics with a [fur shawl](https://www.trendhunter.com/trends/ducies-fw25-collection), a look is immediately taken from basic red carpet gown to star-worthy, best-dressed list status. "We were very focused on bringing back the essentials of J. Mendel," Gilles Mendel told Style.com. According to the designer, the theme of the J Mendel Pre-Fall 2012 collection is "[unapologetic luxury](https://www.trendhunter.com/trends/the-journey)." It's hard to deny that the Pre-Fall offering just screams "luxury." From fur-topped evening gowns to casual jeans and sweater combos, this is one collection that is sure appear on celebrities and fashion insiders everywhere. ## Trend Insights (Trend Hunter) - Score: 5.7/10 - Popularity: 78% | Activity: 85% | Freshness: 8% - Audience gender: 10% men, 90% women - Primary generations: Millennial, Gen X - Top markets: North America, Europe, Asia ## Categories [Trend Hunter](https://www.trendhunter.com/trends) > [Luxury](https://www.trendhunter.com/luxury) > [Luxury Fashion](https://www.trendhunter.com/luxuryfashion) ## Key Themes ### What Makes This Trend Stand Out - **Fur-topped Evening Gowns:** Opportunity for designers to innovate by incorporating fur accessories to elevate the elegance and edginess of evening gowns. - **Downtown-cool Accessories:** A growing trend in adding edginess to eveningwear by using accessories that give a touch of downtown-cool aesthetics. - **Unapologetic Luxury:** Demand for luxurious fashion offerings that exude opulence and sophistication, creating opportunities for designers to showcase unapologetic luxury in their collections. ### Sectors Adopting This - **Fashion Design:** Fashion designers can tap into the trend of fur-topped gowns and incorporate luxurious elements to create innovative and sought-after collections. - **Accessory Design:** The rise of using edgy accessories to enhance the look of evening gowns presents an opportunity for accessory designers to create unique and fashionable pieces that cater to the demand. - **Luxury Retail:** Luxury fashion retailers can leverage the trend of unapologetic luxury to curate exclusive collections that appeal to high-end clientele seeking opulent and sophisticated designs. ## Related on Trend Hunter - [Holiday-Inspired Evening Wear Campaigns](https://www.trendhunter.com/trends/mcqueen-holiday-2025.md) - [Statement-Making Fall Collections](https://www.trendhunter.com/trends/auteur-studios-fall-2025.md) - [Hyper-Realistic Faux Fur Collections](https://www.trendhunter.com/trends/ducies-fw25-collection.md) - [Wild Animal-Decorated Gowns](https://www.trendhunter.com/trends/schiaparelli-lion-head.md) - [Modern High-Fashion Dresses](https://www.trendhunter.com/trends/terani-couture.md) - [Refined Quiet Luxury Apparel](https://www.trendhunter.com/trends/the-journey.md) - [Experimental Fall Wardrobe](https://www.trendhunter.com/trends/khaotique-noir.md) - [Outdoor-Ready Luxurious Fashion Series](https://www.trendhunter.com/trends/fendi-3.md) - [Timeless Holiday Apparel Collections](https://www.trendhunter.com/trends/holiday-apparel-collection.md)