A Symphony of Melancholy and Gold

                                    The Art of Fashion & Beauty 

                                         By: Kenda Lahresh

There is something sacred about autumn. The world softens, the light deepens, and even the wind feels dressed in velvet. The leaves, once a bright chorus of green, turn into a symphony of melancholy and gold, whispering stories of change, nostalgia, and quiet beauty.

Fashion listens to this rhythm. Designers have always understood the poetry of fall, the moment when opulence feels right again, when the body asks for warmth and the soul craves memory.

In 1995, Dolce & Gabbana captured this feeling perfectly with their Sicilian Romance collection. Black lace, deep reds, rosary crosses, and the shimmer of candlelight on fabric. It was devotion and desire intertwined, an ode to womanhood that felt sacred and dangerous at once. Each look carried a pulse of warmth and memory, as if stitched with fragments of old love letters and prayers.

A year earlier, Rifat Ozbek’s Spring 1994 collection danced in contrast yet harmony. His vision was free-spirited and luminous, blending Turkish mysticism with 90s ease. White dresses floated like dreams, embroidered vests shimmered in the light, and there was a spiritual calm that felt like the morning after a long, beautiful night. Together, Ozbek and Dolce & Gabbana painted two sides of femininity: freedom and fire, serenity and sin.

That same duality lives in music that defines the season. Lana Del Rey’s world feels like it was born in autumn light, her voice lined with nostalgia and musk. Albums like Born to Die, Ultraviolence, and Norman F***ing Rockwell carry the scent of cigarettes, old Hollywood, and faded love. Her music plays like a memory of a runway show that never ends. The strings, the melancholy, the California sunlight turning gold as she sings about beauty and decay.

Then there is The Weeknd, the king of the fall himself. His early Trilogy era feels like the echo of a dark afterparty, all glitter and emptiness, lust and confession. Beauty Behind the Madness turned that underground sadness into something cinematic. Together, Lana and Abel sound like autumn nights in a city that never sleeps: expensive perfume, half-empty glasses, silk sheets, and the ache of something you cannot name. Their worlds merge with fashion’s, the same heartbreak, the same beauty that hurts just enough to feel alive.

Jewelry in fall takes on a special significance. Gold pieces shine in the soft light, simple yet undeniably luxurious. Minimalist Cartier-inspired designs feel modern but timeless, elevating any look without overwhelming it. A delicate bracelet, a sleek ring, or a thin chain necklace can transform an outfit, adding subtle strength and elegance that mirrors the season itself.

Kim Kardashian’s 2012 era defined a new chapter of autumn glamour. Her sculpted silhouettes paired with Giuseppe Zanotti heels created a bold, sensual, and cinematic look. Kanye West’s structured leather and fur pieces added strength and swagger, making the duo a cultural signal of transformation and confidence. The muted autumnal tones, rich textures, and precise tailoring echoed the season itself, reflecting the warmth of fallen leaves, the depth of golden light, and the quiet melancholy that defines fall. Kim’s style in this era became an icon presence, ambition, and modern glamour.

Zahia Dehar, in her own right, emerged as an autumn icon through her couture. Her gowns were delicate yet daring, with sheer panels, intricate embroidery, and hand-applied embellishments that seemed to capture the flicker of candlelight on fallen leaves. Each piece told a story of contrast,softness and edge, vulnerability and confidence, intimacy and spectacle. Her designs echoed the textures of autumn, like mist over golden fields or the hush of wind through amber trees. Zahia’s couture commanded attention while harmonizing with the quiet strength and melancholy of fall, making her work timeless and transformative in its own way.

Autumn fashion has always lived within this energy. The fabrics thicken into velvet, satin, and fur. Every texture becomes a story. There is something eternal about the way a fur coat moves; it transforms whoever wears it. In the soft weight of mink or the shimmer of faux fur lies a power that no other material carries.