The Classic Faves
Other New York favorites also presented classic standards to represent their labels. Donna Karan, who celebrated 25 years of design this season, reworked her signature black silhouette, producing feminine-yet-sculptured dresses constructed from various textures like stretch wool, or mixing matte with shine. Calvin Klein showed stylized simplicity, using modern fabrication and architectural structure to deliver the chic minimalism that his followers covet. Diane von Furstenberg and Ralph Lauren both celebrated prints, although in drastically different visions. Lauren’s collection was for the wholly romantic with floral prints, lush velvet-embroidered tops, and long flowing sleeves. DVF remained playful, inspired by her idea of living a man’s life in a woman’s body. Designing under the influence of the menswear trend this year, she unveiled a tailored, energetic, and print-filled collection that ran the gamut of pinstripe blazers, felted wool, and jacquard-tiered skirts, as well as organza and georgette dresses.
Some of the Standouts
There was a great show of individuality from designers Ralph Rucci and Altuzarra, both of whom produced triumphant collections, ranking high in quality and style. After a successful showing for Spring, Rucci returned to create a look of rock-star glamour with exquisitely executed detailing on everything from chiffon dresses to sable horsehair coats. At at the Ecco Domani Fashion Show, designer Joseph Altuzarra also offered exceptional fashion, particularly by way of his form-fitting leathers and shiny goat fur coats. Investing in pieces from these collections is sure to bring an element of sleek-and-sexy femme fatale to your fall wardrobe. Similarly, there was a wealth of ingenuity from Thakoon, Alexander Wang, Derek Lam, Phillip Lim, and Helmut Lang, whom all continued to push the boundaries of fit and form through various urban themes, offering a cool edge through layered separates.
Of course, fall is a season full of special occasions and there was no shortage of beautiful dresses, whether a cocktail mini (Narciso Rodriguez, Jason Wu) or a red-carpet gown (Monique Lhuillier, Vera Wang, Badgley Mischka), all of which had front-row socialites clamoring for more.
In a fitting end to New York Fashion Week, Tommy Hilfiger, a quintessential American designer, closed with his latest collection as almost two decades of fashion under the tents in Bryant Park came to an end. The shows will be moving to a new home at Lincoln Center next season. To quote Vogue editor Anna Wintour: “Bryant Park became the beacon of what New York fashion stands for—an industry that’s fearless, tireless, and always moving forward.”
