Top 5 Shows at NYFW
In recent years many have claimed New York Fashion Week to be “dead.” That it lost its allure and is no longer up to the standards it used to be when it started in 1943. However, editors, attendees, influencers, and more, can confirm that New York Fashion Week is in fact thriving. This year we have had many talented designers and jaw dropping collections featured. But what collections were the best? In this article I’ll be covering the top five collections at New York Fashion Week and what makes them so special.
Ralph Lauren
For his spring 2025 show, Ralph Lauren invited guests out to a horse farm in Bridgehampton, New York, where the attendees started off the evening watching horse jumping and admiring the vintage cars that he personally owns. The show started with Lauren showcasing his classic and sleek designs, perfect for everyday wear in the Hamptons. The color scheme of his collection consisted of blues, whites, and tans, and towards the end changed to reds, oranges, yellows, and greens. The mix of clothes from his eponymous collection, Purple Label, and Polo pull the show together. Additionally, the outfits are styled with chic accessories such as his popular brown leather bags and dangly earrings, which helped bring the whole look together. Ultimately, his collection is timeless and elegant – his attention to detail pulls his designs together. This is why he was one of the best shows at New York Fashion Week.
Alaïa
The Alaïa fashion show took place at the Guggenheim museum which was designed by the one and only Frank Lloyd Wright. The show started with the models walking down the museum’s iconic rotunda and down the ramps. Throughout the show various looks were showcased all based around American fashion. Pieter Mulier, the creative director of Alaïa, has always valued American fashion for its sense of ease and quiet luxury. In this collection he wanted to showcase his appreciation of American fashion and the less known designers in America who still have importance. For example, the sculpted puffer jackets shown on the runway pays homage to Charles James, one of his favorite designers. James’s evening jacket had the same sculpted look to it and voluminous effect as Mulier’s. Additionally, Mulier created clothing that are simplistic but have fabulous silhouettes. Ranging from dresses that look like they are floating off the body to skirts with a spiral look that remind you of the Guggenheim itself. Moreover, flip flops are coming back and are being deemed as the new “it shoes” for next spring due to Mulier’s collection. All in all, his collection might be minimalistic yet it makes a big statement. For Alaïa’s first year at New York Fashion Week they did a fabulous job.
Badgley Mischka
From Marbella to Malta to Mykonos, Mark Badgley and James Mischka traveled through Europe on the beloved fashion muse boat: Jackie Kennedy. Jackie Kennedy or now Jackie Onassis, let the duo travel on her husband’s yacht all throughout Europe where there they gained inspiration for their spring collection. Their collection is filled with florals, bright colors, and beaded embellishments. Additionally, they used their traditions, but also branched out. Caftans are seen in the collection, which are favored by both designers. However, a modern take on the cocktail dress is seen, a sleeveless tuxedo jacket over shorts. I personally love this idea, however, there are mixed opinions on this design. Overall, their collection demonstrates the epitome of spring with a mix of old and new styles.
Alice and Olivia
Stacy’s Bendet new collection is dubbed “The Hotel of Imagination” since she made each component of her collection a different room. Throughout this collection, bright colors are emphasized as are 3-D hand-beaded floral embellishments. Additionally, she wanted to add her classic wide-legged pants to the collection, the reason why she built her brand in the first place. The collection screams spring through its fun patterns. Overall, her collections emphasize her style which has never changed, and although it might not be as original as other designers, her sticking to what works for her makes her collections beautiful.
Jason Wu
There are two main ways to look at fashion. One, you can look at it by seeing the fabric used, look, style, etc. Two, you can understand the deeper meaning besides the look of the clothing, which is what Jason Wu shows in his collection at the public square and gardens at Hudson Yards. His collection was inspired by Tong Yan-Tze, a Taiwanese artist known for her large works of art with calligraphy written on them to showcase the ancient traditions of Chinese art and culture. Wu adapted her work into his designs. He used black colors to represent the ink and left some of the under fabric exposed in the designs to represent a painter’s canvas. Furthermore, the cut of his dresses had geometric shapes that were left unattached and folded over, adding movement to his collection. Additionally, the material in his collection varied and created a sense of airiness, tying his collection back to spring. Ultimately, the uniqueness of his collection and the different textures, fabrics, colors, and shapes, make this collection one of the most interesting at New York Fashion Week.
In conclusion, these top five New York Fashion Week shows were major successes, showcasing a diverse array of designers whose unique backgrounds and perspectives shaped their collections. While also using the stories of others and the world to highlight broader cultural trends and conversation within the fashion industry.
