Digital NYFW 2021: Jonathan Simkhai, Tory Burch, Sally LaPointe

Jonathan Simkhai

Nature Healing

Los Angeles designer Jonathan Simkhai leaned into handcraft this season, creating a custom lace cleverly inspired by Pop Art artist Keith Haring’s infinite maze paintings.

After the months we’ve had, cooped up in these apartments, I cannot think of anything more beautiful than the outdoors — it’s true what they say, nature heals all. Being grounded by the ocean sand and crisp outdoor air is a weightless conception that Jonathan Simkhai’s spring collection brings to life through a sense of poetry and hopefulness. Whether we attend socially distanced beach weddings or backyard get togethers it will be done in the utmost fashion. The crisp white and neutral pieces of dresses, pleated skirts, and tailored paints — many of which showcase Simkhai’s signature look — have been updated for spring to add depth.

The backdrop of beach water and rocks bring an artsy vibe, as I found out much of the collection was anchored by Simkhai’s love for pottery — leading to the silhouette curves and figural poses. I loved the more tailored pieces such as the corset jumpsuit and double-waisted pants paired with elongated trench-like pieces. Each outfit has a sense of "airiness” that made it feel light and floaty. Almost as if by the summer of 2021, we will once again be able to breathe.

Tory Burch

An Odeon Ode to NY

An Ode to New York as Tory Burch’s fall collection is shot within the walls of The Odeon; simultaneously, she worked with Daniel Arnold to create a film highlighting and supporting eight individual women entrepreneurs and their businesses.

“One thing I love about New York is the diversity. To me, that’s what is truly beautiful, is having people who are different, who have different perspectives, different beliefs. That’s something I thought of when we were working on the collection”

— Tory Burch

Pandemic be damned, the fashion show must go on. And so New York Fashion Week is back — albeit in a very different form. Inspired by the The Odeon, a New York institution since 1980; Tory Burch revived New York through her collection of nostalgia of this city. The love for New York is felt and referenced by many designers this season, given our current global circumstances, but Tory Burch brings back hopefulness and moments of beautiful fall intrigue to each look. Tory Burch’s decision to shoot in an iconic place sets the stage to remind us that New York is alive and well. For fall, Burch reflected on how much the city has done for not only herself, but everyone — giving us New York nostalgia, creativity, diversity, and fall inspiration.

The biggest takeaway was an emphasis on 70s artisanal and polished luxe sportswear — the feminine classic suits and cotton poplin shirts offer a familiar comfort for post-pandemic back to the office. The idea of the dickie continued for fall alongside new outerwear (a great water-resistant faux patent trench), new hand-knits, tunics and dresses. Even Burch’s most artisanal, dressy looks were designed in humble fabrics: minimalistic, long cotton poplin frocks with slight bubble hems and long silk chiffon fringed decoration. The beautiful leather barn jacket lined in bouclé paired with moleskin sailor pants shows the subtle hints of western detailing in the classic American workwear. Each ensemble perfect for striding along those New York City streets in the months ahead.

Sally LaPointe

Ease and Comfort

Dressier than pre-fall, Sally LaPointe’s latest collection highlighted the brand’s key tenet of luxurious comfort, with an extra dose of relaxed silhouettes to easily transition from day-to-evening or home-to-wherever you’re allowed come fall.

How will we dress when the pandemic is over? During a period of uncertainty, this season felt like a dreamlike collection disrupted by unrest. In a way, the collection connects to the reality of us all staying in one space — one of comfort and ease. The clothing are structured and tailored, each piece lined with purpose. Who hasn’t felt their grip on reality slip a little this year?

For her latest collection, Sally La Pointe emphasizes on ease and lounge, from wide-cut trousers in silky twill and drawstring culottes in stretchy faux leather to sequined boxer shorts and glam long-sleeved dresses in metallic silk as comfortable as slipdresses. An embrace of the world through pieces that balanced cozy and sophisticated, designed to compliment at-home lifestyles as we embrace getting back into the normal world.

Sally La Pointe’s signature fur accents were alive and well combined with silky cashmeres and cardigans, but newer plays with animal motifs in the form of textural ostrich-patterned stretch jersey cut into a sexy tube dress — It’s a clever answer to how women might like to dress once they’re back in the office again: polished, but with a twist.

Nora GharibFebruary 16, 202102/17/2021, NYFW, Fashion