NYFW A/W '18 Roundup

New York Fashion Week has been among us, and seems as if it came and went in the blink of an eye. As the last few shows wrap up, the fashion world will jet off to London for the next round of collections, it’s worth noting that NYFW is in the midst of some major shake-ups. A handful of New York’s top dogs have recently moved to showcase in Paris (Proenza Schouler, Altuzarra, Rodarte), while others are shifting the timeline of runway-to-production. Another recent pattern worth noting is that more and more designers seem to be opting out of the runway show all together—instead, they conspire appointment-only/intimate showings that make their way into the public through editorial-like look books.

Diane von Furstenberg, Rag & Bone, Zac Posen, BCBG, Lela Rose, Alice + Olivia, Yigal Azrouel, Narciso Rodriguez, J.Mendel and Jill Stuart are among the brands that have chosen this route for their F/W 2018 collections.

And while the experience and excitement of a real-life runway show is immeasurable to even the most breathtaking and cleverly curated look books, it makes sense that designers are straying from the flock. 

In a time where social media, e-commerce and all other digital shenanigans have completely reshaped the fashion universe, it’s vital that the brands who wish to survive take a long look in the mirror and act accordingly. The importance of strategizing in an ever-changing landscape is crucial. 

But just because NYFW has lost a few of its headliners doesn’t mean that The Big Apple is lacking show-stopping talent or innovation. Tom Ford has been a welcome addition, and Bottega Veneta debuted its F/W collection in the city to celebrate its new flagship store. Emerging brands are also proving themselves to potentially be New York’s brightest new stars—Ulla Johnson, ADEAM, Sies Marjan, Brandon Maxwell, Christian Siriano and Phillip Plein, to list a few.

Although one fashion city isn’t quite enough to hypothesize what the major trends for the F/W 2018 season will be, there have certainly been a handful of recurring themes. Whether it be colors, prints, or details, there’s quite a few trends that have given New York a cohesive, collective mood. 

SEEING RED

Forget about orange being the new black—it's feisty sister is taking over this season. A pop of cherry, vermillion or rich burgundy—pick your poison and wear it proud. Red symbolizes power, lust, anger, passion, sexuality and love—a powerful and bold statement that is especially relevant in today's times.

ADEAM, Tibi, Prabal Gurung, Self Portrait, Christian Siriano, Zadig & Voltaire, Badgley Mischka, Hellessey, Carolina Herrera, Oscar de la Renta, Adam Selman, Sally LaPointe

PRETTY IN PINK

The color pink represents femininity, sensuality, sweetness, nurturing, caring, tenderness and understanding. "Millenial Pink" has been a term on the tongue of fashion for quite some time, and it certainly seems that the hue has come to conquer full-force for spring and summer. Flamingo, bubblegum, peony pink... you don't have to be a girly-girl to embrace this hot hue.

Tibi, Bibhu Mohapatra, Jason Wu, Cushnie Et Ochs, Tory Burch, Carolina Herrera, Adam Selman, Christian Siriano, Hellessy, Ulla Johnson, Jeremy Scott, Alexander Wang, Oscar de la Renta

HELLO, SUNSHINE

Optimism was a major theme overall for the S/S 2018 collections, and unsurprisingly, the color yellow seems to be making a major splash. Yellow symbolizes happiness, joy, enlightenment, clarity, positivity, creativity, sunshine and warmth—an appropriate combo for a much-needed uplifting mood.

ADEAM, Ulla Johnson, Bottega Veneta, Prabal Gurung, Bottega Venetta, Brandon Maxwell, Tibi, Oscar de la Renta, Carolina Herrera

VELVET VIBES

Velvet first exploded with last year's F/W 2017 collections, and it seems to be lingering with no signs of dismissal any time soon. There is something about velvet that feels lavish and luxe. Not only is it texturally pleasing, but it also elevates any look to a certain level of luxury. In New York, velvet appeared with utmost prominence.

Prabal Gurung, Brock Collection, Christian Siriano, Tom Ford, Jonathan Simkhai, Bottega Veneta, Anna Sui, Ulla Johnson, ADEAM

SHINE ON

Perhaps piggybacking on the disco ball fever that we saw for the S/S collections, designers were certainly not afraid to embrace the glitz and glamour of all things that shimmer. Fall and Winter tend to be a more melancholy, dark and cold time in which we layer up and hibernate. Perhaps the recurring theme emerging in fashion within the past reason seasons—escapism and fantasy—is a factor of this emerging trend. Sequins, paillette embellishments, metallics and lame were seen on both tailored suits, body-hugging silhouettes and gowns that are practically screaming to be worn by Hollywood Elite.

Badgley Mischka, Anna Sui, Naeem Khan, Tom Ford, Juicy Couture, Prabal Gurung, Ulla Johnson, Sally LaPointe, Jeremy Scott, Christian Cowan, Cushnie Et Ochs, Milly

ANIMAL INSTINCTS

Animal print motifs are a recurring pattern that seem to make their way on the runway season after season. There is something truly timeless about feline prints. Cheetah and leopard first came into fashion in the 1930's when the rich and famous embraced their extravagant lifestyles after the war, jetting off to exotic resort vacations. Emphasis on exotic: leopard was seen as a playful, whimsical embrace of the natural world and its beauty. At NYFW, leopard popped up everywhere, adding a playful appeal to otherwise structured and tailored silhouettes. But that's not the only wild feline designers are looking to for inspiration— tiger stripes appeared as well.

Victoria Beckham, Juicy Couture, Bottega Veneta, Tom Ford, Michael Kors, R13, Naeem Khan, Zadig & Voltaire, Proenza Schouler, Badgley Mischka, Carolina Herrera

All Images: Livingly.com