Over five days, this season of New York Fashion brought us explosive performances, diversity on the runway, shows in off-beat locations, and more. From Tom Ford’s showcase in an actual subway to Rihanna’s star studded presentation, read on for the best moments of NYFW.
Far off fashion
Gone are the days when a midday trek across the city during NYFW was unusual. This season’s calendar was full of outdoor locations in Brooklyn, with some of the top designer showcases like Brandon Maxwell, Telfar and even Michael Kors on the line-up.
An ode to the icon
Tory Burch paid a floral tribute to Princess Diana at the The Brooklyn Museum, parading pussybow blouses, silk dresses and oversized coats.
A sustainable approach
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Backstage, fashion shows are typically noisy and chaotic affairs, but Gabriela Hearst’s show preps were strangely silent. That’s because hairdryers and hot tools were banned as the designer attempted to stage NYFW’s first carbon-neutral show. The models’ hair was slicked back in braids as they walked in Hearst’s cotton and wool silk trench coats and box weave hemp dresses.
Theatre meets fashion
Designer Tom Ford takes a bow after his showcase at NYFW
Non-traditional formats reigned supreme this season, especially in the form of theatrical performances. Tom Ford, for example, took his guests underground to a deserted subway station where the platform doubled up as a runway. Drinks were flowing, there were real subway workers, and booming music that gave the show a cool downtown vibe.
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Ralph Lauren also threw a Gatsby-esque black-and-white ball on Wall Street with Janelle Monáe, where she took her performance to the tabletops.
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The Savage x Fenty showcase by Rihanna was a party on its own, and featured performances by Halsey, Migos, Tierra Whack and Dj Khaled.
Back to couture
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After five seasons, Tommy Hilfiger came back to NYFW to showcase his Fall 2019 Tommy X Zendaya collection. The event took place at the historic Apollo Theatre and featured live performances.
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That same night, Pyer Moss returned from a one-year break from runways with a show at Kings Theatre, a concert hall in designer Kerby Jean-Raymond’s neighborhood of Flatbush, Brooklyn.
Diverse and inclusive
Not only does New York lead the way for racial diversity in all fashion weeks, this year designers made a deliberate attempt to be more inclusive. Label Kate Spade spread its show across three generations, featuring 65-year-old “Accidental Icon” blogger Lyn Slater, and actress Debi Mazar, who walked with her teenage daughter, Evelina Corcos.
Luxury junior label Lulu et Gigi picked nine-year-old double amputee Daisy-May Demetre to walk the runway. Demetre, who had both her legs amputated as a baby, is due to appear at Paris Fashion Week later this month.
Meanwhile, swimsuit brand Chromat, an avid supporter of diversity, celebrated 10 years in the fashion industry with a slew of body types, races and ages.
Going political
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Prabal Gurung’s showcase marked his brand’s 10th anniversary. His collection featured elements of Americana—the country’s floral emblem red roses and classic blue denim. In an attempt to pose a question to those who have raised doubts on Prabal’s identity, the show concluded with every model being sent down the runway wearing a pageant-style stash with the words, “Who gets to be American?”
Celebrating individuality
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Finally, crowd favorite Marc Jacobs closed the week with an eclectic show that featured vivid prints, florals and high-volume shapes. “This show is a celebration of life, joy, equality, individuality, optimism, happiness, indulgence and dreams,” said the designer.
Photographs: Getty images and Instagram
