This NYFW, L’AGENCE presented the Spring / Summer 2023 collection at the iconic Boom Boom Room at The Standard, High Line.
Set against the backdrop of the New York City skyline at sunset, the collection’s saturated shades and signature silhouettes define a spring revival for SS23.
Romantic prints, after-dark dresses, trademark tailoring, and signature denim are translated through a fresh lens to set the tone for the season. The space’s sparkling glamour, reminiscent of a 1940’s nightclub, perfectly complements the ethos behind the collection.
See Also: Kendall Jenner Wows At Proenza Schouler SS23 Show
“We never lose sight of our DNA. This collection is full of emotion and is quintessentially L’AGENCE,” said Fashion Director Tara Rudes Dann. “Dramatic pop colors, romantic shades of neutrals, new denim shapes, and tailored feminine suiting have our woman looking beautiful and feeling confident.”
VIP guests in attendance included Aimee Song, Amanda Steele, Aurora Culpo, Baron Scho, Cassie Ventura, Chriselle Lim, Emily Alyn Lind, Isabela Grutman, Jasmine Tookes, Jourdan Sloane, Joy Corrigan, Katya Tolstova, Leonie Hanne, Marianna Hewitt, Mary Lawless Lee, Nick Austin, Olivia Culpo, Rocky Barnes, Said De Silva, Sophia Culpo, Tessa Brooks, Tezza Barton, and Tinx, amongst others.
We had the opportunity to sit down with Jeff Rudes, L’AGENCE’s CEO and Creative Director, for the inside scoop on all things NYFW.
Can you talk a little bit about your day-to-day as the CEO of a major fashion label? How do your responsibilities shift during peak times, such as fashion week?
The priority for me starts with the creative side of the business –product first. I am the Creative Director as well as the CEO. I have a partner who manages the business side and who has been with me since our J BRAND days. It allows me the freedom to work with design and marketing initiatives. As CEO, developing a great team is one of the most important achievements for a leader. New York Fashion Week brings on the challenge of how L’AGENCE will present. Each aspect is looked at very carefully being the presentation will go viral the morning after.
Tell us about your craziest NYFW memory.
We created a JBrand, Proenza Schouler collaboration in 2009 which debuted at their New York Fashion Week runway show. Just before the show, I saw Natalie Massenet, founder of Net-a-Porter, and Anna Wintour and told them to look for the collaboration jeans. Well, that wasn’t hard at all as the first three looks of the runway show were the hand-painted super high waist jeans we did. The positive remarks from both said it all.
As you very well know, industry trends are rapidly evolving. What do you expect to see on the runway this season?
Bold bright color, dramatic silhouettes, and extreme wide legs. Rich and elevated fabrics as well as prints continue strong although with an edited point of view than the past few seasons. Denim and jeans will show up in a major way and we are planning a very strong jeans season.
If you could describe L’AGENCE’s brand ethos in one word, what would it be? How is this year’s collection reflective of that messaging?
Wearable!
Where do you see the future of NYFW and the industry, in general, heading?
If established and emerging designers are relevant with their product offerings, NYFW will be taken seriously. For me, it’s all about product and wearability first.
Photography by: Jacopo Moschin, Madison McGaw for BFA
