Marc Jacobs made his models walk the runway in silence and asked guests
to refrain from whipping out mobile phones until the last minute at New
York Fashion Week AFP/Angela Weiss
White bandanas, intended to promote tolerance, were ubiquitous,
included in invitations from Calvin Klein and worn by models at Tommy
Hilfiger AFP/Robyn Beck
Ashley Graham, became the first plus-size model to walk on the New York
runway for Michael Kors, who unveiled a collection full of opulent fur
coats and monochrome looks AFP/Angela Weiss
Tory Burch offered a Katharine Hepburn-inspired collection for the powerful woman at New York Fashion Week AFP/Angela Weiss
Ralph Lauren stunned guests by adorning his flagship Beaux Arts store
on Madison Avenue in wall-to-wall white orchids and filling the air with
birdsong AFP/Slaven Vlasic
New York - New York fashion week wrapped with designers unable to
agree on the season, the future of the runway in jeopardy and
anti-Donald Trump political outrage palpable.
As the global fashion circus now flits to Europe with fashion week
beginning in London on Friday, before moving onto Milan and Paris, here
are the top 10 trends that New York offered this season:
- Politics -
There was no escaping the specter of Donald Trump, with America's
cultural elite upset that Hillary Clinton, much admired in the fashion
industry, lost the election and angry over the first chaotic weeks of
his presidency.
Public School parodied his "Make America Great Again" hats, Mara
Hoffman opened with a manifesto from protest organizers and Nepal-raised
Prabal Gurung sent models out in protest feminist T-shirts.
White bandanas, intended to promote tolerance, were ubiquitous,
included in invitations from Calvin Klein and worn by models at Tommy
Hilfiger. Many designers distributed buttons in support of Planned
Parenthood.
- Bigger is beautiful -
After years of complaints that stick-thin models do not reflect the average woman, plus-size models took to the catwalk.
Ashley Graham -- self-proclaimed body activist and the first
plus-size model to appear on the cover of Vogue -- walked for Michael
Kors, who complained last season that larger models on the catwalk were
not possible logistically.
Gurung, who has designed a line of clothes for plus-size label Lane
Bryant, led the way earlier in the week by sending out Candice Huffine
and Marquita Pring. All three wore looks intrinsic to the rest of the
collections.
- Taboo busters -
Breast cancer survivors modeled lingerie or dared to bear all for
AnaOno, a label that designs for women who have had mastectomies, breast
reconstruction or breast surgery, in a bid to raise awareness for the
disease
Downs Syndrome model from Australia, Madeline Stuart, who has also
sought to confound stereotypes in the beauty industry, debuted her own
fashion label.
- The hijab -
Mere weeks after Trump temporarily banned travelers from seven Muslim
majority countries, the hijab made a statement this season.
Somali-American Halima Aden, 19, walked for Kanye West's Yeezy Season
5, while Indonesia's Anniesa Hasibuan returned for a second consecutive
season with a hijab-only show styled with iridescent gowns fit for a
princess.
- Power dressing -
Tory Burch offered a Katharine Hepburn-inspired collection for the powerful woman.
Victoria Beckham came into her own with menswear given a sexy,
feminine edge with statement boots and flat men's style shoes with a
pointy toe.
- Diversity -
Quintessential American brand Ralph Lauren offered a nomadic-inspired
collection, with shimmering gold lame, snake-skin wedge sandals and
silky sheaths with billowing trains.
Belgian designer Raf Simons made his Calvin Klein debut inspired by
the diversity of American culture, from traditional quilting to Art Deco
and the wild west.
Indian designer Bibhu Mohapatra said his muses were women throughout
the world, while Chilean designer Maria Cornejo used models from 16
different countries from Uganda to the Dominican Republic.
- Bella Hadid -
The model younger sister of Gigi is having a moment. The daughter of
Dutch-American model Yolanda Foster and Palestinian American Mohamed
Hadid, she wowed on the catwalk from Ralph Lauren to Anna Sui to Oscar
de la Renta.
The girlfriend of singer The Weeknd also features in a string of
lucrative campaign ads for the likes of Bulgari, DKNY and Moschino.
- Velvet -
Luxurious and warm for fall/winter 2017, velvet was everywhere --
velvet boots, velvet track pants and velvet capes at Anna Sui; and gowns
at Marchesa.
Furs were also prominent, as were capped shoulders or strapless gowns.
- New horizons -
Marc Jacobs made his models walk the runway in silence and asked
guests to refrain from whipping out mobile phones until the last minute.
Zac Posen said changing times called for a new approach and threw a photo exhibition to create a conversation.
Vera Wang is to release her collection by video and Sophie Theallet commissioned an online photo campaign.
- New York losing its touch? -
Fashion week was noticeable for its absentees: Tommy Hilfiger went to
Los Angeles, as did Rebecca Minkoff. Vera Wang is to release a video at
the beginning of Paris fashion week and Rodarte is going to Paris.
Next season, Lacoste will stay in France and cutting edge New York
label Proenza Schouler is also joining the exodus in moving to Paris.
- AFP
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