From the established to the new girls on the block, NYFW is in full swing and an eclectic fall mix is in full force. Here, the first roundup of the season:
Relative newcomer Monika Chiang turned it out at her presentation, which focused on hard-meets-soft wearability. Merging don’t-mess-with-me thigh-high leather boots and leather trousers with embroidery-accentuated sheer elements proved a no-fail formula for the designer, and military-inspired clothes have never looked sexier.
As for Rebecca Minkoff, it’s apparent she’s making major efforts to step up her game and enter the realm of true ready-to-wear. With smart tailoring, loads of collared coats, and draped cocktail dresses, it is certainly the most sophisticated collection I’ve seen yet from the designer. The styling was right on, but she’s borrowing from the masters. Some looks (like the closer, a candy-red dress with hyper-puffed sleeves) proved just a tad too Lanvin-inspired for comfort.
It was a momentous occasion for Kenneth Cole. The designer’s bold return to the runway after a seven-year hiatus was a triumphant success. Using social media to generate excitement leading up to the show, the designer unveiled a collection to match and jumped into the 21st century head first. Going deliciously heavy on pony-hair jackets, metallics, tweeds, and cutting-edge details, this luxe collection will forever change your notion of Kenneth Cole.
Last but not least, Chadwick Bell strayed from his comfort zone. These are deconstructed separates from the designer best known for eveningwear. His bold blocks of color feel chic and chunky bracelets strung up as necklaces provided a nice contrast for the relaxed silhouettes, sailing down the runway with fluid movement.
