Everything We Did, Saw, and Loved at New York Fashion Week

The topic of whether Fashion Week is still relevant has been discussed ad nauseum. Industry-wide, questions pervade: Is it necessary to attend shows when Vogue Runway publishes photos moments after final walks? Has attention shifted from designers to the influencers that post about them to a degree that makes Fashion Week more about the latter? And why are people still supporting an industry that, despite efforts (from some) to be more inclusive and sustainable, is still falling short in both arenas?

All are valid and worthy of continued discourse. But for all the debate and eye rolls that Fashion Week elicits, there are also a lot of bright spots. The excitement surrounding a designer making their runway debut; the first glimpse of a gown that’ll no doubt be spotted on a red carpet; a collection so thoughtful and beautifully-made, it reminds you why you fell in love with fashion in the first place. There are also fun behind-the-scenes moments, celebrity sightings, and comical editor and influencer antics. In that fun, fashion-enthused spirit, here’s everything we did, saw, and loved during New York Fashion Week, plus the fall trends that stood out.

THE SHOWS WE LOVED

“I’m as shocked as you are that this seemingly minimalist dress struck such a chord with me. I’m typically drawn to more prints and wild colors (look 10 at Khaite, Christopher John Roger’s show-stopping emerald gown, and any of Rodarte’s crystal spiderweb pieces are all a very close second place) but as I tackle my first fashion week season as a 30-year-old, I find myself hungry for clothes that feel especially womanly. Jack and Lazaro were inspired by the way their stylist, Camilla Nickerson, wore a blanket they gave her as a scarf, setting off this collection filled with perfectly draped and body-conscious (never skin-tight) gems. The buttery leather of this dress keeps it from feeling too prim and proper, and lord knows I love an off-the-shoulder moment any day of the week. I’d probably lose the tights and heels and pair it with some platform shit-kicker boots and oodles of chunky gold jewelry, but I have no doubt that if this look joins my happy closet family, I’d feel like a million bucks every time I slipped it on.” —Hannah Baxter, Senior Beauty Editor

“I’m a forever Proenza stan, and this season felt like a return to form of sorts—not that they ever fell off, that is. But there was nonetheless a distinctively different vibe to what they showed this time around: the mood throughout was refreshingly sexy (but never obvious), with outsized shapes that still managed to show glimpses of skin through asymmetric and off-the-shoulder silhouettes. It was also characterized by, frankly, what can only be characterized as ‘details I’m a sucker for’: those sick ruched boots, lots of buttery, slinky leather moments, cool-girl chain mail and plenty of statement-y gold.” —Meagan Wilson, Associate Creative Director

“Oscar de la Renta’s Laura Kim and Fernando Garcia nodded to a ‘party collection’ this season, and I am 100% here for it. While a great deal of the collection focused on color blocking, look 37, in particular, leaned into cocktail attire in the most sincere of ways. Drape me in this gorgeous gown for just about anything—I swear it’s very wearable. Also, who doesn’t love a little feather embellishment, and I’m nothing if not extremely consistent in my love of everything gold lamé.” —Jessica Teves, Head of Content

“I may have a bias (as they designed both my wedding and reception dress last year) but Laura Kim and Fernando Garcia absolutely dominated the NYFW runway. In an age where collections come out almost monthly and it feels like every single piece of clothing needs a hook or trend attached to it, the duo managed to put a fresh and exciting take on evening wear, which in my opinion is a hard wheel to reinvent. Of course their RTW also had me dreaming of pink trousers and green blouses, but it was the fact that I was already planning a vow renewal in my head as an excuse to wear one of those dresses that really blew me away.” —Stephanie Mark, Co-Founder and Editor-in-Chief

“For me the obvious winner of NYFW was the opening look of Rodarte’s Dracula themed AW20 show. I was intrigued when I heard the line was inspired by Francis Ford Coppola’s Bram Stroker’s Dracula...but I was downright smitten when I saw how they pulled it off. Every last detail of the show played into this haunting theme, from the candlelit setting of St. Bartholomew’s Church to the rose covered alter to the models’ jet black lipstick. And then Bella walked out and I was fully dead. Her opening look of the ’50s-inspired polka-dot belted dress, and her vampiric black lips. Oh, and did I mention white mesh gloves? Who knew Dracula could look this chic?” —Abby Miller, Head of Production

WHAT HAPPENED BEHIND THE SCENES

Marie Claire accessories editor Julia Gall once again entertained the masses with the return of her hilarious meme account, Fashion Week Frog. Meanwhile Coach showgoers were treated to a bit of nostalgia with a live performance by Debbie Harry. Spotted throughout the week were a host of editors staging money shots, alongside chauffeured BMW SUVs (the brand was this season’s official NYFW partner) and word got out that Caroline Herrera is launching beauty (announced backstage at the show). Our favorite moment? Being seated across from Gabbi Butler and Lexi Braumback of Netflix’s Cheer at Brandon Maxwell, where the two gave every model that walked the runway a mat talk. Unforgettable.

Top photo: Getty

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