NY Fashion Week Trend: Gap-Toothed Smiles Were Center Stage

Model Lauren Hutton made gap-toothed smiles a rare and striking look back in the 1970s. And apparently, the hot trend at the moment, is a not-so-perfect smile, recently noted at NY Fashion Week.

Yes, this is for real. In fact, designers were seeking the space-between-the-teeth as a most coveted attribute for the runway. Even the well-respected and serious Wall Street Journal devoted an entire article on the glory of the gap:

"I think people want to see something different, something off," says casting director Natalie Joos, who chose such models for the runway shows of Lacoste and Cynthia Steffe this season.

And gap-toothed beauties, like curvy model Lara Stone are also hitting the fashion mags. Take a look at Lara, her ample bosom, and her signature smile on the stunning October cover of French Vogue's 90th anniversay issue. OMG!

In addition, Lara Stone at the young age of 26, is the face of Calvin Klein and was labeled "girl of the year" by Vogue U.K in 2009. And take a peek in this year's September issue---there's Lara beaming with her imperfect smile, in a 12-page editorial spread, her gapped front teeth on display in every single photo.

Celebrities like Madonna, Lauren Hutton, Vanessa Paradis, and Anna Paquin, are just a few lovely ladies who also refuse to fill up that natural space, that trendy gap.

We have to wonder, has the often snobby world of fashion and beauty, done an about-face, so to speak, and signaled to the masses, that absolute perfection is out of style?

We hope so. At the moment, anyway, a natural, physical flaw can seem like a good thing. "It's a love for the imperfect, and the authentic," says Stefano Tonchi, editor-in-chief of W magazine tells WSJ. "These are values that are more and more important for younger generations. Originality, authenticity…in a world that is more and more digitally enhanced."

And we thought that Invisalign braces were such a cool invention. You can kiss the orthodontist goodbye, for now.