New York and Madrid Street Style: From the Streets to Global Catwalks

Photo Credit: Antonio Filigno from Pexels

For those who don’t eat, sleep, and breathe fashion, it might seem like all of that stuff happens exclusively on runway shows, far away from the lives of us mere mortals. In truth, you don’t have to be in the front row to see what’s in style right now – all you have to do is look around. Street fashion has always been a huge reference point for what’s on the catwalk, especially in vibrant cities like Madrid and New York.

Let’s explore this intricate connection.

New York City Is the Birthplace of Concrete Fashion

Flights from New York to Madrid in February and September are a common occurrence for those who like to keep up with the haute couture, as these months are marked by fashion weeks in both cities. However, real style is very much alive and kicking on the streets year-round, where self-expression and culture come together without an adjacent dress code.

Just like the city itself, New York street style is fast-paced and effortlessly eclectic. While it’s always on the run with the latest trends, what makes the NYC concrete catwalk truly iconic is its mash-up of subcultures and personal rebellion. It’s about being seen, being different, and owning your space, and that can be done with thrift finds as much as with high-end labels.

NYC always had a knack for turning ordinary into extraordinary and a source of inspiration. In fact, the legendary Bill Cunningham, who is often credited with being the pioneer of modern street style photography, was based in New York and described his work as “ordinary people going about their business, dressed in fascinating ways.” Thanks to these shots, everyday city fashion became endlessly influential.

Madrid’s Style Language Is as Vibrant as the City Itself

Madrid street style strikes the perfect balance between laid-back and bold. Influenced by the warmer climate, locals often favor natural fabrics like linen and cotton. When matched with vibrant colors and statement accessories, it’s never boring. It’s also a beautiful mix of traditional and contemporary touches, with deep roots in Spanish cultural heritage.

Espadrilles, embroidered blouses, fringed shawls known as mantones – there are plenty of glimpses into the traditional Spanish wear on the streets of Madrid today, reimagined with a modern twist. The city is also known for its sustainable fashion scene, with a growing number of local slow-fashion brands and the ever-lasting presence of flea markets like El Rastro. All in all, Madrid is a living showcase of how personal style can honor the past while confidently stepping into the future.

Street Style Is High Fashion’s Favorite Muse

Previously known as stand-offish and downright elitist, fashion weeks are, now more than ever, directly communicating with the world of street style. Designers are constantly scanning the concrete catwalk, remixing these ideas into high-fashion narratives and infusing the haute couture with just the right dose of the everyday. This makes their brands feel more relevant and inclusive, which is obviously changing the conversation around fashion weeks and other similar events.

This inclusive mindset can be, once again, traced back to the New York City scene. One of the earliest pioneers was designer Willi Smith, who coined the term street couture in the 80s. His label, WilliWear, blurred the lines between haute couture and street culture, basing collections on what people were actually wearing. Smith’s legacy is alive and well today, as designers around the world continue to draw inspiration from real-life, everyday expression.

Madrid’s Catwalks Offer Street Style With a Spanish Soul

Madrid’s local designers are also following the street couture line of thought, but many of them like to top it off with a play on cultural heritage. After all, Spanish traditional fashion has a deep connection to craftsmanship, with techniques such as hand-stitching and artisanal dyeing.

Even the biggest brands like Loewe and Palomo Spain like to incorporate both cultural heritage and street style into their collections. One visit to the Mercedes-Benz Fashion Week Madrid, and you’ll see that loud and clear.

You Don’t Need a Front Row Ticket to Make a Statement

When talking about the influence of street style on the official fashion narrative, there’s one interesting phenomenon that needs to be highlighted. Outside shows in Madrid, New York, and other fashion-forward cities, both attendees and casual bystanders turn up in statement looks, and these are sometimes more memorable than the pieces on the runway itself. Right there on the curb, style speaks loudest, and it’s often the most exciting story of the entire week.

In Both New York City and Madrid, Style Lives Everywhere

The fashion scene in both Madrid and NYC is a cultural conversation happening in real time. Collections might begin in a studio, but with more and more designers looking to everyday expression for inspiration. The future of fashion is already out there, walking through the streets. So, next time you’re in New York City or Madrid, make sure to look around. These cities are runways in motion, and you’ve got the front row seat.