By Julie D'Alessandro By Julie D'Alessandro | September 3, 2019 | Style & Beauty, Fashion Week,
There’s a new sheriff in town—here are the shows the fashion elite will be scrambling to attend come September 6th.
New York Fashion Week has a new master of ceremonies—Mr. Tom Ford. He took over as chairman of the CFDA in June, and revitalizing the storied event is at the top of his list. The vast majority of his modifications have yet to be seen, but Ford has already managed to shake up the week by rearranging the calendar and condensing the schedule to attract the international set.
With some of the industry’s most celebrated names and most promising newcomers showing in the Big Apple this season, we’re positive that the street style photographers will be armed and ready to capture the looks at these six runway spectaculars. If you manage to secure a coveted invite, make sure to put your best heels forward and prepare to be dazzled.
Our first-ever digital cover star is fresh off his CFDA win for Womenswear Designer of the Year and his inaugural season of Project Runway. These major career accomplishments combined with a sensational turn with longtime collaborator Lady Gaga at the Met Gala mean that all eyes will be on Maxwell when he shows his latest collection on September 7. We expect the familiar glamorous gowns and star-studded slew of models but are looking forward to seeing the latest outrageously fabulous accessories he comes up with. Long live the champagne bag.
Ralph Lauren’s classic sensibility has captured a fanbase across the world, and his runway shows are usually a reflection of that timeless elegance. He’s following up last season’s intimate breakfast with a Saturday night rendezvous. The front row tends to be one of the most exclusive with recent attendees including Oprah and Hillary Clinton, so it’s always a hot ticket. No one does Americana quite like Ralph Lauren—we hope this catwalk will be filled with pieces that remind us why his name is so famous.
Tommy Hilfiger’s collection with Zendaya was one of the highlights of Paris Fashion Week last season. This time, they’re bringing the magic to New York’s Apollo Theater. Theatrics seem to be an integral part of this collaboration—see Zendaya’s light-up Cinderella gown—so the anticipation for what they could bring to such an iconic venue is mounting. Designed to empower and promote inclusivity, the inspired TommyNow collections are not to be missed.
Kerby Jean-Raymond had a moment last year. His uniquely spiritual Spring/Summer 2019 collection for Pyer Moss was named one of the best collections of the season by Vogue, and he won the CFDA Fashion Fund prize, earning $400,000 to invest in his business. Despite his success, he decided to sit out last NYFW in a much-talked about move. He’s back this season, and fashion insiders across the globe are waiting in anticipation to see what he does next. One thing is for sure—it’s bound to be a runway show that gives us insight into more than just upcoming trends.
Perhaps the biggest change Ford has implemented thus far involves himself. His eponymous label usually opens fashion week and feels like a splashy party, filled with high-profile guests. Now, he has a more subdued time slot on Monday evening, which is sure to throw everyone for a loop. The adjustment undoubtedly makes his show even more desirable as it leaves room for an element of surprise. Will Ford bring back some of his ever-trending looks for Gucci to capitalize on the resurgence of early 2000s fashion? One can only hope.
There’s certainly a number of shifts this season, but one reliable constant tends to be the finale. Marc Jacobs has been the closing ceremony for years, and there is no sign of this concluding anytime soon. Last season’s somber tale featured bare faced models and dim lights with some of the most beautiful and intricate pieces we’ve seen from Jacobs. After this summer’s highly publicized launch of his new contemporary label, “THE Marc Jacobs,” we’re excited to see what he has to bring to the runway stage.
Photography by: David X Prutting/BFA.com