New York Fashion Week – Hot looks From The Runway
Earlier this month, fashion fanatics flocked to the sleepless city and straight to the coveted front row real estate of New York Fashion Week’s (NYFW) runways.
This season, the affair made some serious statements – both fashion and political.
While we saw a resonating romantic and feminine theme for fall/winter ‘17 – with runways rich with velvet, lace and embroidery – the fashion world’s finest also sent a strong message of girl power in an unapologetically unsubtle nod to the Trump administration.
Not only was female empowerment celebrated, so was the diverse female form, with “it” plus-size model Ashley Graham walking for Michael Kors.
These are some of the hottest looks from the runway.
Image: Harper’s Bazaare
Prabal Gurung’s Feminist-Inspired Look
Proving that the latest trend in fashion is feminism, Prabal Gurung let the clothing do the talking with a powerful finale. The designer sent messages of female empowerment down the runway, with braless models rocking tees that said things like “The Future Is Female” and “Nevertheless, She Persisted.” When everyone from your eight-year-old niece to your intern is beginning to rock a bold feminist statement tee (albeit, likely a more affordable one), it’s safe to say they’re here to stay.
Image: Forbes
Marchesa’s Imperial China-Inspired Look
The Marchesa collection was full of the stuff that fairytales are made of with its dreamy, show-stopping dresses. While it stayed true to the brand’s signature flirty florals, feminine ruffles and feathered detailing, other pieces reflected a fresh direction for the label – one that mixed in new colour stories and is rich with inspiration from Imperial China. This meant things like colorful fringe and East Asian flower embroidery, both of which were seen in the cap-sleeve black Chantilly lace column gown that opened the show.
Image: Fashionisers
Anna Sui’s Velvet-Rich Look
With Italian interior designer Elsa Schiaparelli as a muse, Anna Sui’s visual feast of a collection was rich in colours, detail and structure (not to mention, mega model power thanks to both of the Hadid sisters). Velvet was a key player on the Anna Sui runway, making an appearance in everything from crushed velvet capes and jackets, to velvet track pants. The collection is also heavy in bold prints and drew heavily on a 1940s influence that included looks from the ‘40s film Blithe Spirit.
Naeem Khan’s Embroidery and Beading
Rich with Kashmiri-Indian influence, there was no shortage of embroidery and beading on the runway for Indian-American fashion designer Naeem Khan’s F/W 2017 collection. We saw hand-embroidered floral designs in pants suits, along with chiffon beaded tops and jackets throughout his intricately designed collection. Clearly catering to a millennial audience, it featured leopard and floral prints, body-hugging mini dresses, lacy bralettes and teeny tiny jumpsuits.
Bibhu Mohapatra’s Celebration of the Female Silhouette
The catwalk collections of Bibhu Mohapatra was inspired by the character Vanda from the David Ives’s play, Venus in Fur celebrating female empowerment and independence. His muses were women throughout the world. Stand out looks included mismatched sleeves, intricate shoulder detail and a strong play on the female silhouette and shape – the latter of which was seen in a bold orange silk twill dress that was designed to amplify and accentuate the hips and shoulders.
