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It’s day 5 at New York Fashion Week and designers seem more self-assured than ever before. Just before the week’s big shows, we’re already seeing emerging trends (summer leather and stripes, anyone?). Monday saw Maria Cornejo’s artistic eye take on them on

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Future Primitive is what Maria Cornejo dubbed the collection in the liner notes, a phrase which ultimately captured the mood of her woman for spring 2013. Cornejo did what she does best – soft volume, jumpsuits, artfully printed and fluid dresses – but pushed herself with fabrics and print innovation thanks to a “neo scuba,” which was actually an Italian bonded jersey, and a pattern based on a phone picture of crop circles she took from an airplane. Both nodded to the futuristic approach of the collection, one that was especially successful as scuba corsets added a modern touch to her usual soft separates. That crop circle snap was interpreted into a jacquard, stunning in a suit, and was bang on in that it looked more approachable-cool than cold and futuristic.ANDREW BURTON/Reuters

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A model presents a creation from the Zero + Maria Cornejo spring 2013 collection.ANDREW BURTON/Reuters

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A model presents a creation from the Zero + Maria Cornejo spring 2013 collection.ANDREW BURTON/Reuters

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A model presents a creation from the Zero + Maria Cornejo spring 2013 collection.ANDREW BURTON/Reuters

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You would expect a Brazilian designer to be moved by the tropics. Carlos Miele did just that with his spring 2013 collection, but he atypically added on elements of deco beading and party-ready sequins to his bright animal prints. It was a nod to an urban jungle, one occupied by the Real Housewives that sat in his front row, who you could envision throwing down in all the hyper-sexy eveningwear. The animal prints, in vivid greens and yellows, were a standout but seemed out of place amongst the more wearable rich nudes and black beaded numbers in the show (which, sorry Housewives, I much preferred for their demure and refreshing nature). However, even though austerity is back, you can always throw a drink in its face with light-hearted chiffon leopard.ANDREW BURTON/Reuters

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A model presents a creation from the Carlos Miele spring 2013 collection.ANDREW BURTON/Reuters

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A model presents a creation from the Carlos Miele spring 2013 collection.ANDREW BURTON/Reuters

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