Trends are not unlike the creatures of the earth, slowly evolving and dying out as the strongest have their moment in the spotlight - all at the fickle, ridiculously fast pace of the fashion industry of the twenty first century.  One key trend that you may have already invested in this past fall is footwear with a fun take on zippers.  Last fall you may have noticed a spread in Elle with tall boots that featured zippers gliding oh so provocatively up the front of the shin.  Christian Louboutin among the few, always ahead of the game, also has a sandal that incorporates this trend for spring.  Louboutin's sandal comes in classic white and black to offset the edgy zippers that create the straps that wind around the wearer's foot and ankle.  The platform also has a zipper surrounding it.  Should you be a reader of Vogue or Harper's Bazaar, you may have seen Sergio Rossi's fabulous new ads including a green patent leather sandal amidst wet, neon lighted pavement.  The zipper on the Sergio Rossi sandal rises from the bottom of the back of the heel to the top of the ankle giving a clear message of, "Look at me from behind."  Jimmy Choo has offered classic pointy toed pumps with zips along the side in the past and this spring has the Mona tote with a zipper going down the middle which can expand the bag.  Also on trend is Donna Karan, who has a little black dress for spring with a strategic, seductive zipper that winds up from the hem to the shoulder.

Now you ask, why is this trend worth investing in?  It has also been seen in numerous Fall 2008 fashion shows.  Alexander Wang showed zippered skirts and boots.  At Rodarte there were clever little pockets placed on the center thigh of skinny trousers and Rick Owens collection was utterly dominated by asymmetrical and symmetrical zips alike.  Dsquared showed asymmetrical zip jackets, as well as a dress with a zippered bodice.  At Betsey Johnson there were sheathes with zippers running simply up the center of each dress reminding us of the body conscious 90s.  So many designers and fashion week still has yet to reach Paris!  Will Nicolas Ghesquiere reinvent the zipper?  Has Stefano Pilati tamed the zipper?  We shall see.