New York Fashion Week is now a month past, and it seems fitting to dissect the best looks from the shows. As a part of the “big four” fashion weeks– London, Paris, and Milan– New York’s fashion scene has been a long time in the making. It was the first city to organize large, seasonal fashion shows by the Council of Fashion Designers of America (New York Fashion Week Live). Today, many organizations and groups host events and shows that bring this week and a half to life.
1. Ralph Lauren
Ralph Lauren has become the epitome of American luxury fashion season after season. His focus on elegance and craftsmanship has put him on the global scene as a leader of Americana. This season, he moved the show outside the city into a barn setting. This collection, with cashmere and silks, along with his impeccable tailoring, was a nod to sophistication. It transported the audience in a rustic and elegant Americana feel. Hilary Xu (11) said that it embodied the idea that “timeless classics become everyday items.” A couple of standout pieces are Look 38, with its effortless casualness and beige tones that bring the rustic feel, and Look 42, an elegant gown with a tailoring and flowy state.
2. 3.1 Phillip Lim
Phillip Lim is a newer designer who has made space in luxury fashion with minimal, modern designs rooted in durability and craftsmanship. In this collection, Lim dove into minimalism, which focused on exploring structure with neutral tones and sleek silhouettes. One standout piece was Look 18. It has a fluidity captured with the inlay of silks, sheer fabrics, and the cinched waist that defines his minimalism.
3. Palomo Spain
Palomo Spain is renowned for rejecting gender norms and focusing on opulent and bold styles that define modern style. Palomo dived into emotions and their inherent being in humans in this collection. He explores these ideas with bold silhouettes that intertwine the concepts of art and emotion into one. One standout piece is Look 8, which has a free-flowing cardigan and poplin shirt that revolts against gender norms and aids the idea of freeing the human mind.
4. Willy Chavarria
Willy Chavarria tends to blend his designs with activism–they often serve as statements for inclusivity and empowerment of marginalized communities; this collection is no different. He explores democracy and how America is built on its people, the backbone of its society (WMagazine). It featured working, utilitarian clothing–ones people will find at factories, hardware stores, gas stations, etc. A standout piece is Look 14, which features cargo shorts and an oversized workman’s jacket that drives this highlighting of the working class home.
5. Thom Browne
Thom Browne is known for his avant-garde and theatrical designs that push fashion norms. His collections reflect this by showing potential in experimental tailoring and performance, which is almost a showlike experience. This collection was no different–guests gathered in an Inn in New York’s West Village to experience an intimate dinner. This season, it was a focus on fabrics and textures. From cashmere to nylon, nothing was left off the table. A notable look that embodies his nostalgic tailoring with a more petite silhouette.
New York Fashion Week 2024 has wrapped up, and these designers kept the city alive during that week. They brought new ideas, emotions, and connections into the fashion world and nostalgia for traditional tailoring and excellence. This week will continue to influence fashion and expression for years to come.
