Colorful, forgiving looks lead the way in fall MAGIC fashion show — VIDEO

Some say that fashion operates in its own universe. This was true at the MAGIC trade show this week in Las Vegas where the statement, “I’ve got to go grab a model” would never get you arrested.

Holding tight to human perfection was expected because this was the place to cinch a waistline, hike a hemline or even adjust some Playboy male underwear with the most memorable label. The “I” from the VIP on the label had been replaced by the trademark bunny ears.

Magic indeed.

This highly anticipated event at the Las Vegas Convention Center showcased the latest in men and women’s apparel, footwear and accessories as did the Liberty trade show just up at the street at the Sands Expo and Convention Center. The focus was on fall/winter 2016 along with the first glimpse of looks from the spring/summer 2017 lines.

When you hit the racks, it’s inevitable that you cross that invisible line from fashion “don’t” to fashion “do” for the new fall and winter season. A few lessons:

• Meryl Streep was right when she said the c-word. Five minutes into being at MAGIC and there was a “Devil Wears Prada” moment that felt a bit surreal. “It’s cerulean,” said a stylist at the Zac Posen booth holding a sweater the color of a clear summer sky. “Not midnight blue. Not light blue, but cerulean.” (You could almost hear Streep saying it.) She was talking about a hot holiday color, because black goes to the back of your closet. Deep, jeweled colors are back including deep purples for fall and holidays. For a Saturday night on the Strip, being a plain Jane is definitely out. The best of the holiday sweaters are embellished with lace and silk.

• Michelle Obama has changed our fashion lives for the better. A quick runway walk over the Tracy Reese booth and it’s clear that you can have an occasional buffet. Form fitting is out. “Fashion is about everyone this fall and next spring,” the booth rep said. “One of our biggest fans is Mrs. Obama. She’s got curves on her, and it’s not a bad thing.” Tracy has jewel-toned separates for the winter that billow and give. “Velvet is a big trend again. It’s so soft and romantic — especially with a cut-out shoulders,” the rep added. Not big on color? The other hot hue is blush.

• Across the Pond for Inspiration. The ladies from London’s Closet line flew all night and day last weekend just to get to Las Vegas. They sipped tea, but wanted no sympathy when asked what every woman needs in her fall closet. “A pair of skinny jeans with a loose top. Top it with a leather jacket and you can go anywhere in style,” they said.

How can those of us in Las Vegas look this chic when the temps cool? “You’ll want to buy track pants with racing stripes and wide legs. Wear them with a tiny, pinstripe men’s tailed jacket. It’s all about combining the masculine with the feminine,” said Wendy Wilson, Closet’s designer who was holding a denim, tailored jumpsuit in one hand and a structured dress made out of the same material in the other.

“London is all about denim right now, including tailored proper work skirts in the material at a midi-length. Wear them with white, eyelet shirts with frilly embellishments.” She added, “You can carry that shirt into spring to wear with coral — not red — but coral. It will be a statement color next year.”

• The One Jacket You Need. Michael Stars is known for his T’s in sizes 1, 2 and 3, but the new spring collection is all about the bomb — the bomber jacket. “It’s a classic, but made feminine in pale beige, silver or a white beige,” said Beatrice Guapo, creative design director. What goes underneath? “Next spring you’ll see a lot of textures that can be dressed up or down when it comes to the T’s, such as some adorned with lace.” You might also want to invest in a convertible. Not a car, but a delicious sweater with a neck that converts into either a hoodie or can be pulled off the shoulders.

• Walk It Off. Finally, there are shoes that can withstand the dust of the desert. At Dolce Vita, it was all about “white-washed shoes” or pavement striders that purposely look like they’ve been brushed in chalk. “It’s a fresh, white wash that makes them classics. To get the look, they’re actually sanded down,” said a spokeswoman who added the white-washed look is available in mules, sliders, espadrilles and even sneakers. Other shoe trends: Go tribal. “Our designer went to Africa. A shoe trend this fall and winter will be tribal prints on shoes.” And don’t toss them just yet. “The lace-up gladiator shoes are still in fashion,” she added.

• A Sharp Dressed Man. Over at Theory, men’s fashions are about core fashion basics that can be worn any season. “It’s really perfect for Vegas,” said James Oliphint who was on the floor repping the brand. “We have light spring sweaters that you can transition from the plane to a meeting to a casual night out. Fashion should make your life easier, not harder.” He said fabric will celebrate even those guys who don’t get to the gym. “Fabrics will be a bit more forgiving as they will drape and even be longer in length,” he added. One must have: Theory’s Neoteric Trouser in navy (a must have fall into spring color) has stretch and are even water resistant. Pair them with a bomber jacket or a cashmere or linen blend hoodie.

• Underneath It All. The ladies aren’t the only ones who get to experience designer skivvies. A Calvin Klein booth celebrating male undies did have an interesting poster tagline: “I am untouchable in my Calvins.” As you mull over the double entendre, there was also a Playboy line of men’s underwear dubbed VIP with those iconic rabbit ears doubling the “I.” Overheard by the red-and-black-checked socks that went with mellow yellow VIPS: “You’re such a leather girl.” Response: “Thank you very much.”

• Further Up the Strip: MAGIC wasn’t the only fashion show in town this week. Over at the Liberty trade show at the Sands Expo, things were definitely a bit more low key including the white jogging suits from Puma with wide stripes down the legs. Perhaps the biggest surprise, however, was the return of an ’80s classic that was in then out … and now in again. Yes, the Members Only jacket is back, but revitalized in colors including hot pink, although basic black and gray are also there for the offing. (Remember that Burt Reynolds wore a pink one in the 1985 action movie “Stick.”)

Jack Catton, vice president of sales for Members Only, even pulled out a leather version, but he saved the best for last. “What I’m holding in my hands right now is the original, iconic jacket,” he said. When my eyes went wide, I had to confess: “I think in 1998, a guy once wore that on a blind date. With dandruff on it.” His advice: Wipe your fashion mind clean. Exercise your round-collared demons. “We’re targeting a young demographic now and the nostalgia customer,” he said. “And then we have the hip and trendy customer that wants to go retro.” It proves that nothing in fashion truly dies. “We’re fresh,” he said, correcting himself. “Very fresh.” With those words, he went to grab a model to prove it.