Highlights from New York Fashion Week A/W 2016
It has been a fun season in the Big Apple!
This year, New York Fashion Week has really taken my interest in a way I have never experienced. The increasing use of social media to publicise shows whether it be on Snapchat, Instagram or Twitter has really put it on our brains all week. This means that despite being about an 8 hour flight away, I have really immersed myself in the whole spectacle. There have been some crazy moments, heart warming bits and some real show stoppers. Below are some moments that really stood out.
Slogans Everywhere!
Designers have decided to sing it with the slogans for Autumn Winter. DKNY gave us slouchy style with the words ‘Designers Know Nothing Yet’ whilst Alexander Wang gave us 90’s goth glam. It is likely that we all will be speaking our minds this winter.
Kanye West and the Yeezy Spectacle
Kanye West wanted to go big this year for the third collection of Yeezy and that he did. The location was Madison’s Square Gardens for the fashion show/listening party that lasted over 2 hours. With a huge host of celebrities in attendance, the rapper pulled off a showstopper. Despite the less than favourable reviews for the clothing, he did exactly what he hoped, he had people talking about the show for days.
Zac Posen – Black Models Matter
This collection was inspired by Ugandan Princess #ElizabethOfToro a royal who studied law at Oxford, modeled for Diana Vreeland at Vogue and represented her country at the United Nation. Therefor it was a dream to have Ugandan beauty #AamitoLagum close my fall 2016 collection.
Prior to his show, the designer posted a picture of a black tote with the words ‘Black Models Matter’ on it onto his Instagram page. From that, we know that this was a show to be reckoned with. The inspiration – Ugandan Princess Elizabeth of Toro. Posen went to on feature 25 black models for his moving show. Posen told CNN that “since the inspiration was Elizabeth of Toro it made sense to have casting reflecting this…their presence and the diversity of the casting complimented the collection and made it more striking”. The designer showed his peers how to rule the runway and showcase diversity in a beautiful way. Keep it up, Mr Posen!
Make-A-Wish and Naeem Khan
It is heart warming to see a designer do something so beautiful when it matters. For a Make A Wish Foundation grant, 11 year old Trinity Faith Moran wished that she could walk the runway of New York Fashion Week. She got her wish and was invited to walk in Naeem Khan’s show. A stunning red custom gown based on one of the designs was made for the 11 year old who closed the show for the designer.
Wild Hairstyles on the Runway
There were some really interesting looks on the runway this year. Rihanna’s ice queen look for Fenty Puma looked like they would be a nightmare for the models to get out. Marc Jacobs’ 20’s flapper waves were wild and kooky and really fitted the odd and loose look for his collection.
Speaking of Marc Jacobs, Lady Gaga walked the runway at Marc Jacob’s show to end New York Fashion Week. The singer surprised the crowd and stunned in a 70’s inspired look with extremely high boots. It is only a wonder how the singer and the rest of the models managed to navigate the runway in those clunky shoes.
Cartoon Crazy
Anyone who watched Nickelodeon in the 90’s as a child would have really appreciated what Jeremy Scott had to offer. Tops and jackets with Ren & Stimpy on it created by the cartoon’s animators had me reminiscing of the afternoons I would spend glued to the television. Hot off the Moschino Barbie collection, Jeremy Scott really knows how to get the crowd talking and inspires nostalgia. Overall, has been a whirlwind of fun and inspiring pieces at New York Fashion Week. It was dark and moody yet fun and playful. I cannot wait to see what London has in store for us this week.
