Despite the looming clouds of grey and subway grates slicked with rain, nothing can halt the bustle of New York Fashion Week. An onslaught of foreign celebrities and influencers, along with a barrage of photographers crawling sideways like crabs on the beach (of which all proved obstacles for my clumsy ass trying to run errands) filled every odd block in the city as events came and went.
This season poses a trend of wearability rather than the innovation many have been craving in the past decade, albeit understandable given the influx of consumer interest in personal styling rather than fashion itself. Feeding into that same trend, social media mavens have really taken front (quite literally) and center at runway shows, even more-so than ever before. The question of whether this shift to self-investment over idealization is a positive or negative one for the industry is one to keep in mind as fashion month presses on.
NYFW feels as if it has expanded in diversity, which is definitely something worth celebrating. Big name fashion houses aren't the only contenders for hot topics these days, with lesser-known and minority designers being seen for their talents at long last. Castings have also expanded their palette after much controversy and backlash hitting the industry hard in recent years, which was well-deserved if I might add.
All seriousness aside, I've selected the collections that caught my eye throughout the week and am here to share them with you all.
Claudia Li
The sad fact is I never would've even known about the perfection of Li's first runway show had I not stumbled upon it on Weibo. According to Vogue writer Monica Kim, Li was greatly inspired by her mother's love for flowers at home in New Zealand and the delicate lay of these laser cuts and feather-light fabrics perfectly translates a daughter's love for her mother. This color scheme also creates a seamless bridge between winter and spring for the coming year.
Rodarte
The Mulleavy duo continue to add to the fairytale wardrobe of my wildest dreams. Not sure how rich people can resist buying out their whole RTW to chill in their house dripping in bundles of chiffon and georgette, cause shit, I would. Look 45 is screaming Bizet's Carmen, she's about to step up and hit the hardest Habanera of her life.
Carolina Herrera
Wes Gordon's debut after Herrera's departure earlier this year was no disappointment. Her influence is clear to see in the Spaniard-esque elegance of the flowy special occasion gowns and off-shoulder skirt sets. His youth is present in the shorter cuts, comfort-driven pieces, and Far Eastern-inspired choices.
Christian Cowan
The world tour implications are too loud to be ignored. Look out for your favorite superstars sporting these pop diva delights in the coming months at end-of-the-year award shows cause it's impossible to imagine they would pass these up. Would give up a kidney to see Rihanna or Rina Sawayama in that vinyl raincoat ensemble.
Oscar de la Renta
The modernization Kim and Garcia have brought to this revered label is something de la Renta himself would smile upon. Sultry evening gowns and international ambassador style suits give homage to the classics while sarong wrap skirts and oversized sweater sets draw in a younger crowd.
Let me know in the comments which other fashion week you'd prefer I cover this month. Happy reading!
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