9 major highlights from New York Fashion Week Fall 2018

The recently-concluded New York Fashion Week Fall 2018 set the benchmark higher than before with designers like Raf Simons for Calvin Klein, Marc Jacobs and Philipp Plein pushing the boundaries and showcasing the unexpected — a popcorn runway; an extravagant tribute to the ’80s; a model making an entry from a spaceship…

This season also marked a turning point for various designers like Alexander Wang, Carolina Herrera and Victoria Beckham, who are all moving on to bigger and better prospects. Here’s our recap of all the talking points from New York Fashion Week:

1. Calvin Klein’s popcorn-laden runway 

Man of the evening: CALVIN KLEIN Chief Creative Officer Raf Simons and friends at the Fall 2018 CALVIN KLEIN #205W39NYC RTW show. #calvinkleinlive #NYFW Featuring artwork by Andy Warhol ©/®/™ The Andy Warhol Foundation for the Visual Arts, Inc. Featuring objects by #SterlingRuby.

A post shared by CALVIN KLEIN (@calvinklein) on Feb 15, 2018 at 4:45pm PST

If you’ve ever wondered what apocalyptic fashion looks like, it’s Calvin Klein’s Fall 2018 collection. The metallic dresses, ruffled gowns paired with plaid overcoats and fireman suits all had an underlying dark theme attached to them that explored the history and future of America. But the statement-making point was the runway at the American Stock Exchange that Raf Simons transformed into a sea of popcorn that the models were walking — or swimming? — over. 

Highlights from the Fall 2018 CALVIN KLEIN #205W39NYC Men’s + Women’s RTW show. Watch the entire #NYFW show at calvinklein.com. #calvinkleinlive ⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀ Objects by #SterlingRuby.

A post shared by CALVIN KLEIN (@calvinklein) on Feb 13, 2018 at 8:30pm PST

2. Carolina Herrera steps down 

#CarolinaHerrera shared the stage with members of her prestigious atelier for a standing ovation after presenting her #Fall2018 collection. Photo by @kevintachman for @tmagazine

A post shared by CAROLINA HERRERA (@carolinaherrera) on Feb 13, 2018 at 5:01pm PST

Carolina Herrera’s Fall 2018 collection marked the end of an era at the helm of the fashion house that she created. After leading the label for 37 long years, the designer stepped down as the creative director, handing over the reins to Wes Gordon, who previously worked as her creative consultant.

“Fashion is a mystery – it’s magical, it’s a fantasy, it’s a dream”. Presenting the #CarolinaHerrera #Fall2018 collection.

A post shared by CAROLINA HERRERA (@carolinaherrera) on Feb 13, 2018 at 10:57am PST

3. Alexander Wang’s final show at NYFW 

A post shared by ALEXANDER WANG (@alexanderwangny) on Feb 11, 2018 at 11:32am PST

Alexander Wang’s announcement that he will not be showcasing at NYFW’s February shows anymore came as a shock to many, but the reason behind his decision is well-thought out. The designer will now be showcasing according to an off-calendar June/December schedule to increase his sales. Well, who can blame him? 

The designer’s final show was poles apart from his previous wild collection that was the #WangFest. This one was reminiscent of The Matrix series — giving us further proof that Matrix-inspired looks are back for sure — except that it was targeted at the working woman who lives the 9-5 life.

Backstage at #WANGINC

A post shared by ALEXANDER WANG (@alexanderwangny) on Feb 14, 2018 at 7:52am PST

 4. 10-year-old drag star’s debut

Repost from @cfda. . . . . . . Hi! I’m Desmond from NYC. . I’m a drag kid, dragutante, dragketeer, and draganista doing what I like to call kinderdrag . I’m a total drag slayer . I am also the youngest member of the original iconic pioneering voguing ballroom house, the House of UltraOmni. . I have the best fans, my AMAZIES! I am sincerely grateful for your love and support. . I call my looks ‘androgynously’ and my style ‘avant drag’. I’m inspired by RuPaul, the fashions of the Club Kids and Blitz Kids, the artists Andy Warhol and Keith Haring, designers John Galliano, Alexander McQueen, and Commes Des Garçons, Nelson Sullivan videos, altdrag, and do-it-yourself drag ✂. I design or style my own outfits. . I’m an awarded LGBTQ advocate. Marsha P. Johnson is a huge inspiration and motivation for me. My motto is “Be Yourself, Always” . . I am also the founder of the first drag house for drag kids, the @hausofamazing, set to open for membership soon (tentatively March 2018). . . .   #altdrag #androgynously #avantdrag #boysinmakeup #clubkid #clubkids #diydrag #draganista #dragart #dragartist #dragketeer #dragkid #dragkids #dragqueer #dragslayer #dragsuperstar #dragutante #futureofdrag #genderisadrag #kidsindrag #kinderdrag #mydragisamazing #mygenderisamazing #nycdrag #preteenqueen – #desmondisamazing #beyourselfalways #amazies – #houseofultraomni #hausofamazing

A post shared by Desmond is Amazing (@desmondisamazing) on Feb 12, 2018 at 9:27pm PST

Desmond Napoles, aka Desmond Is Amazing, broke all records by becoming the youngest drag star to walk the runway at Gypsy Sport’s Fall 2018 show. A self-proclaimed drag kid, Desmond also champions LGBTQ rights and has his very own drag house for kids who like dressing in drag. And you thought you’d seen it all? 

A post shared by Desmond is Amazing (@desmondisamazing) on Feb 15, 2018 at 11:10pm PST

5. Championing body positivity 

Love you to the moon and back Prabal!!! Thank you for always challenging the fashion industries with your inclusion and diversity on the runway @prabalgurung #nyfw

A post shared by A S H L E Y G R A H A M (@theashleygraham) on Feb 12, 2018 at 9:31am PST

From Gigi Hadid being body shamed for being too skinny to Ashley Graham opening the show for Christian Siriano and walking for leading designers like Prabal Gurung, this season dealt with and challenged society’s notions of the perfect body. About time.

6. Brandon Maxwell’s spectacular show

Thank you for letting me close your show in the perfect princess gown for me (hoodie’d up!) @brandonmaxwell – we are all so proud to bring this to life for you and celebrate your perseverance and big heart! X

A post shared by Gigi Hadid (@gigihadid) on Feb 12, 2018 at 4:04pm PST

Brandon Maxwell’s collection was an ode to women — women in his life, women who were walking the ramp in his designs, women who would be wearing those ensembles. “We spend 6 months making a collection that shows in under 15 minutes. It’s a fleeting moment in the scheme of things, but it’s a feeling that fills your soul and lasts forever…The collections for me have never been about changing the game or proving myself as a designer, they’ve been studies in how to give back the feeling of love and safety to the women who have given that feeling to me,” the designer said in an Instagram post.

7. Victoria Beckham’s final show at NYFW 

Look 16 from my #VBAW18 presentation is available for exclusive pre-order on my website now. x VB victoriabeckham.com #NYFW

A post shared by Victoria Beckham (@victoriabeckham) on Feb 15, 2018 at 10:58am PST

No, Victoria isn’t following in the footsteps of Alexander Wang, but she is moving away from New York Fashion Week to London Fashion Week, where she will be showcasing her collections starting September.

8. Philipp Plein’s futuristic fashion 

Stop trying to fit in, when you were born to stand out ! I did it the #PLEINway

A post shared by Philipp Plein (@philippplein78) on Feb 11, 2018 at 12:05am PST

The coolest part about NYFW has to be model Irina Shayk stepping out of a spaceship and right into a setting of (fake) snow, and having a robot walk next to her on the runway.

9. Marc Jacob’s extravagant nod to the ’80s 

“From sharp hats and even sharper haircuts to flamboyant shoes, the in between includes huge scarves, stoles, extravagant neck, waist, and hip flourishes, studded clutches, suede buckets and iridescent quilted nylon sport bags.” — @themarcjacobs on #MJFW18 Photo 1 by @landonnordeman for @nytimesfashion

A post shared by Marc Jacobs (@marcjacobs) on Feb 15, 2018 at 12:47pm PST

Colourful, opulent, exaggerated — Marc Jacobs brought back the spirit of the ’80s through his ostentatious Fall 2018 collection featuring hats, oversized jackets, statement shoulders and more.

“Looking at the ’80s, it was about doing hair that really popped out that wasn’t meant to be natural at all or like you had done it yourself. If you went out during that period, it was about dressing it up with a total look with cut and color.” –– @guidopalau, lead hair stylist for the Marc Jacobs Fall 2018 Runway Show #MJFW18

A post shared by Marc Jacobs (@marcjacobs) on Feb 15, 2018 at 12:15pm PST

 

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