A Savvy Guide to New York Fashion Week's Best Designers and Looks
New York Fashion Week came and went last week, giving us a peek at some styles that will be coming to the streets in Fall/Winter 2021. The collections ranged from eccentric hippie to smart 90s suit sets with everything in between (hello shoulderpads!). Here are the best designers and looks to keep an eye on:
Proenza Schouler
Proenza Schouler’s collection was received with anticipation, spotlighting Ella Emhoff, daughter of Vice President Kamala Harris, in her first runway appearance. The collection itself was filled with relaxed fit suits, chunky knits, lambskin trenches, and wool sets presented as must haves in your closet for the fall. These items were contrasted with brighter, more striking pieces - fringe, bright yellow, cutaway tops, and tie dye to name a few details.
Ka Wa Key
Ka Wa Key could be considered the highlight of Men’s Day during NYFW last week. Key Chow and Jarro Lepannen created a gender-fluid, androgynous clothing line: Through the looking Glass. Filling the collection with fun experimental colors, prints, loose fitting outfits, and dazzling prints, the designers brought something for everyone in their stunning combination of dreams and reality.
Marina Moscone
Marina Moscone opted to retreat to the 60s era for her Pre-Fall collection, giving a charming display of pleated skirts, schoolgirl sets, and colorful color blocks. While this designer left much to the imagination, we can’t wait to see the collection in the fall.
The Row
The Row dropped their women’s and men’s collections simultaneously, weaving a line of muted colors in striking contrast to most other designers, who included colorful statement pieces and prints. Their artful use of browns, creams, and blacks in their relaxed but luxurious outerwear emphasized a theme of looking sharp and comfortable this fall.
Anna Sui
Anna Sui kept up her expression of 60s hippie styles this season, taking a more psychedelic turn. Sui also collaborated with many designers to achieve a stunning display of crushed velvet tops, hand painted denim, funky t-shirt graphics, suede knee-high boots, and lovely tortoise sunglasses. This collaboration perfectly showcased the upcoming popularity of eccentric clothing as the new normal.
Collina Strada
Brand Collina Strada also designed a line of fantasy-- bold color combinations and exciting prints combined with fun displays was an artful escape from reality. Quirky layering of the pieces gave fresh and exciting inspiration, and it’s certainly noteworthy that they work with dead-stocked and repurposed pieces for sustainability.
ONYRMRK
ONYRMRK (pronounced “on your mark”) created a sense of comfort on men’s day by returning to the 90s- loose fit, flannels, and layers on layers— all of the pieces achieve an image of togetherness, and a gentle return to better days. Their use of only natural fabrics gave an encouraging look ahead into what may be in store for the future of fashion.
Maisie Willen
Maisie Willen’s virtual runway was visually stunning: the models walked on a runway of water (there we not guests admitted). The collection does not appear to be inspired by only one era - there are fun skirt suit sets which feel like the 90s, but with color schemes and patterns that lean towards tomorrow. Pastels, and brighter elements are paired with lace, florals, and fun patterns, giving an overall sense of a put-together eccentrism.
sources: https://www.harpersbazaar.com/fashion/fashion-week/g35397692/new-york-fashion-week-fall-2021/ https://www.vogue.com/article/new-york-fashion-week-mens-day-fall-2021 Graphics by: Lauren Skeen