New York Fashion Week continues to deliver plenty of reasons why American style is the unequivocal experiment on balance between edge and elegance. Spring 2024 will be no different and thanks to electrifying presentations by a mix of creatives, from emerging talents to established icons, every Aventura Mall guest will be able to play up their style personalities with looks and accessories that speak to the trends of the season. Although all designers continued to define their DNA with brand spirit, few ideas emerged as the seasonal direction that seemed to embrace the spring moment.
Next season we will see gold and yellow, in a full spectrum of shade variations, as the trending story. There will be plenty of sparkle thanks to a sequence that swaps its preciousness for casual comfort thanks to larger paillettes, an unexpected pairing. Sheer seems to continue having its moment, although, this season it’s less about body showcasing and more about volume. Corsets will play a leading role in your style this spring, as will fringe-forward pieces that swept down the runways. Appliques and bows added whimsey at many of the presentations and statement belts are the accessory of the season.
In a spectacle of pure Ralph Lauren-ism, the Brooklyn Navy Yard was the idyllic setting for a presentation that didn’t celebrate trends but rather focused on what the iconic designer does better than anybody else. The industrial space decked out with glistening chandeliers, draped canvas, wooden textures, and celebrities galore, beautifully revealed looks that were signature Ralph Lauren. Timelessness prevailed; he stuck to the classics in terms of silhouettes, the thrill came in unexpected ways, most noticeably in color that ranged from all-black looks to vibrant primary shades and texture, be it denim, crochet, sequined mesh, or satin. As expected, Ralph Lauren stayed grounded in the present, creating a collection that’s for the women of today, with silhouettes classis enough to remain a staple in anyone’s wardrobe.
Judging by the jubilant “thumbs up” approval by Ms. Herrera at the end of Wes Gordon’s presentation of her eponymous brand, everything is coming up roses for the beloved house synonymous with “lady like dressing.” The show didn’t lack in any of the signature looks so beloved by the Herrera woman. There was plenty of pretty dresses, designed with a nod to the 90s’, the color palette ranged from lilacs, pinks and yellows. Few of the floral prints offered the occasional pop of the diversion as did lace and sequence pieces. The innovation came in form of intricate and endless layers of chiffon crafted into lavish gown, tops and skirts that injected an audacious and unexpected spirit. Lovely clutches seemed to be the tote of choice paired with discrete heels in variety of signature colors. To offset their understated qualities, bold broches and cuffs delivered an edge.
Set in the Gilder Center, the American Museum of Natural History’s new science building, Tory Burch delivered one photogenic moment after another in a collection that has since been heralded as her most trendy and edgy yet. “[This collection] is defined by dynamic layers that build structure and volume without bulk,” read the show notes, which were left on every seat. The futuristic vibe, a definite departure for the designer who often references the past, came in a form of dresses and caped ensembles with a 3D swirl design. Otherwise, the silhouettes that leaned more towards boxy were build using a mix of materials like breezy linen, sleek silk poplin, and stretchy jersey. Likewise on accessory front, Burch pushed her boundaries. “Handbags are molded to rest on the hip, sunglasses wrap around the face, and shoes are constructed entirely of round edges,” said the show notes. Speaking of the shoes, much ado was made in press about their shape and forward-thinking look solidifying Burch’s newfound trend casting abilities.
New York City of the 1990s inspired the latest Coach collection by Stuart Vevers, who transcribed that energy by way of sheer fabrics, asymmetry, and slip dresses. Leather was the dominating factor here, attempting to deliver the message that the fabric is not just your fall/winter option. For those uninterested by nostalgia, modernity was expressed by buttery leather blazers and suits that were intentionally oversized and boxy. Worth of note, the brand championed sustainability by using “repurposed leatherware and denim” from older collections to create the new silhouettes that appeared on the runway. As for the handbags, Coach’s “hero” items, major standout were definitely the extra-large totes, the latest iterations of the iconic Tabby bag in poppy shades like vivid purple, and the whimsical duck and dog bone-shaped purses. You don’t have to wait for spring to appear to score these. Several models are available for purchase right now through the label’s see-now-buy-now model.
This spring we will have Michael Kors to thank (or curse, preference pending) for the resurrection of Empire waists and micro-hem lengths, which dominated his presentation held in Brooklyn with Manhattan as the backdrop. Referencing Jane Birkin and barefoot glamour as the inspiration, the presentation was a signature Kors affair targeting women who love to travel, lunch and run the boardroom while dressing in timeless staples that can work for all body types and styles. The palette of black, brown, purple, pink, and white was crafted in sporadic bursts of sequins, chiffon, and lace. There were lace dresses, sheer kaftans, plenty of swimsuits (which were designed as a key part of full outfits), sweaters to throw on after the beach, and some divine light coats that will likely become heirlooms. Most of the shoes were flat, a major statement especially when paired with long sheer or lacy gown. Belts, set low on the hip, played a central part in the Jane Birkin evocation as did fringy totes and baskets that rounded out the resort sprit of the collection.
