Day Two NYFW, From the Trenches
Maybe it was the killer blizzard that tried to put a damper on Fashion week when the designers worried about retrieving samples, fashionistas panicked about their lack of shoe choices, but it was the main subject line at Lincoln Center and Milk. What would the impending snow mean for the heavily scrutinized outfits in the front row? Would the UGGS appear? Not in a million years. Bring out the Choos. Nemo be damned.
Snowstorms aside, let’s talk catwalks. At BCBC Max Azria, the mood was gypsy jet-set meets contemporary art with a fantastic mix of tunic dresses layered over leather pants and finished off with a knit or printed fur vests. There is one thing I learned for sure, heavy layers balanced with over-the-knee boots are so tough and urban, perfect for the modern city woman. The fierce combination of slouchy beanies and over-the-knee leather boots rule.
Photo: Style.com
Next up at Richard Chai and Richard Chai Love, the military references were a marching, and in fact the signature silhouette for Chai this season was his short, fitted, squared-off jacket. Another important theme was check—more angles, there—and some of Chai’s best looks for both men and women came in a shiny, windowpane polyester. Also note an emerging trend: longer skirt lengths, seen at Chai, and just below, Creatures of the Wind.
Next I headed into a luxurious gothic winter wonderland at Heather Lawton over at Studio 450. Somber faces stood out among the fur collars in cobalt blue and black, and the stand-outs were the oversized hoods and capes. Look at those glamorous edgy dresses and tweeds.
From gothic to classic, the Parisian mood over at NOVIS was more cocktail dress slash formal attire inspired by Richard Avedon’s photography from the 50’s and 60’s. Clean lines, and so Jane Birkin, the bright reds, the striped gloves, and the bows, all timeless pieces, are wardrobe mainstays and perfect for that girl. Highlights include the full-dresses, pleated skirts, more velvet overalls, and ruby-colored cigarette pants. All the bright colors were so refreshing after a full day of somber blacks on the runways. The biggest complement an emerging designer can get, is a desire to have it all in my closet. Kudos to Jordana Warmflash’s first collection!
Over at Sachin and Babi, show notes included inspirations from the Aurora Borealis, and the winter midnight skies. Neoprene and vibrant tones prevailed, and the prints were fantastic. A perfect way to go from day into evening.
All photos: New York Fashion Hunter, Style.com
So far the highlights include the plethora of leather and intarsia-print furs, (see: BCBG Max Azria), brocade prints from Timo Weiland, classic tailoring, and the inscrutable layering and evident inspiration menswear happening across the board.
That’s all I have for now. Come back for more coverage later after the shows and check me out on Instagram throughout the day for live updates.
