BY: HALEY BROWN/ STAFF WRITER
This year's fall New York Fashion Week was nothing short of a spectacle, but if you went into this fashion week expecting clothes off the rack you would’ve been surprised.
The pieces that took the stage at this year's fall fashion week were all about art: the themes they represented, the silhouettes they showed, and the awe-striking colors and patterns that tied it all together.
A common thread (pun intended) running through many collections this year was a blending of gendered and agender styles.
The looks coming down the runway featured silhouettes and styles that ranged from traditionally feminine to masculine to androgynous, stopping everywhere in between along the way.
Some femininity was artistically flaunted by notable designers like Pamella Roland, with stunning, flowing gowns of various colors and fabrics. Sandy Lang, whose line was reminiscent of dolls, featuring princess-like silhouettes and bright pinks everywhere.
Audiences were shown a more masculine side of fashion by designers Jordan Brand and Andrew Kwon. Brand showed looks of athleisure in baggy oversized clothing, and Kwon featured modern looks with tailored jackets and trousers.
To bring it full circle, many androgynous avant-garde looks were featured. As always, they are continuing to redefine the correlation between gender and clothing.
In these artistic aspects, there were too many to list. But a few to note were Dennis Basso’sn looks featuring glittering tweed and luxurious fur, Melke getting scholastic with it with a dress made entirely out of pencils, and Who Decides War with Victorian-inspired pieces with various uniquely shaped silhouettes.
While the exploration of the clothes gender spectrum was an event in itself, it wasn’t the only attention-grabbing front.
Many designers heavily explored the artistic aspect of clothing. Many pieces with these alternative aspects were more so wearable art than clothing, each with its own stated inspirations. Some with history, and some from real-world events and movements.
Carolina Herrera's creative director Wes Gordon showcased a blast to the past with looks inspired by American Painter O’Keeffe.
They stated, “I found that I could say things with color and shapes that I couldn’t say any other way- things I had no words for.” Gordon showed pieces in black and white, resembling O’Keeffe’s style, before expanding to an array of pinks, yellows, and reds.
Prabal Gurung brought us back to the present, their designs reflecting modern-day issues and movements. They implement this by writing in their show notes “a powerful affirmation of matriarchy, femininity, and the future.”
There was even a suspected reference to Kamala Harris within their designs, featuring a mini dress with an embroidered coconut tree on it.
But like the clothing aesthetics, the depth and intention in the clothing’s themes were among many attention grabbers of NYFW. Debatable the most being the various celebrity appearances. And there were a lot.
At the kickoff of the week at Ralph Lauren’s show, audiences were met with appearances by the first lady, Jill Biden, and Usher.
At the Guggenheim, Alaïa showcased supermodels Namoi Campbell and Kendall Jenner, and later Rihanna made a surprise appearance in a stunning crystal mech outfit.
Tory Burch’s show drew in stars like Elizabeth Olsen and Mindy Kaling with aughts icon Alexa Chung on the runway.
Luar ended the week with Madonna making an appearance, donning a look of long black latex gloves and a wide camel coat. With the media already in a frenzy, I don’t think anyone expected Ice Spice to show up and claim the seat next to her.
The presence of all the A-listers solidified the vibe that NYFW is more than a fashion event; it’s a cultural moment. By the end of the week, I along with any other viewer can conclude that this year was another success.
Looks this year were turning heads. They were audacious, graceful, loud, whimsical, thoughtful, and beautiful. And that's what's great about it.
It's a week for designers to express themselves, to spark conversation, and to make the viewer feel something. So if you were expecting to come out of these shows with some new outfit inspiration, you may have missed the point.
This year was all about embracing alternative, avant-garde beauty, leaning into the artistic side of fashion, and taking a step back to appreciate the creativity and thoughtfulness it takes to turn clothing into art.
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