Digital NYFW 2021: Coach, Rebecca Minkoff, Altuzarra

Coach

Hey, It’s Coach tv!

The brand’s Coach TV program, a lineup of shorts written, is the rare instance of a digital fashion experience being just as good, if not better, than the real thing. Coach’s method leaves fashion shows firmly in the past and brings the future of upcycled and collaged Leather bags and jackets to create new garments.

“I am excited to bring my latest vision for the house to life via Coach TV. I wanted both the collection and the presentation to make sense and resonate in these unique times, and I am excited to share both in a way that I hope will entertain and inspire.”

— Vevers

Fashion is truly in the service of storytelling—and isn’t that the point of all this? To sell clothing in a way that allows people to imagine it in their own lives, in their own stories? Well — leave it to Coach to bring us through a series of nostalgia for 9 minutes as we sit on our laptops, popcorn in hand. Maybe I’ve just been watching too many 90s shows re-runs during quarantine, but imagine the smile on my face as I watched the opening segment, immediately thought of Friends, and I realized Coach was taking me through my childhood digital experience. Fashion week film of the century, channel surfing through Coach’s star-studded take on iconic American tv.

Coach is not just innovating in format, like spoofing TV shows like Friends, the Home Shopping Network, and MTV music videos, but also in form. As we become more conscious in society of our global impact, Coach introduces the idea of upcycling bags from the ’60s and ’70s alongside leather and shearling jackets made into new, collaged-together styles. Coach has saved the fantasy for its film and delivered the reality of nostalgia through its garments. Each piece brings a sense of comforting familiarity, mostly due to the knit material, cozy layered outfits, and fluffy mules. Each styled together with a certain magpie sensibility that makes it look all the more believable, I can easily imagine myself walking to the grocery store in any Coach outfit, as I (like many) have become a creature of comfort in this new world norm.

Rebecca Minkoff

Botanical-Concrete Jungle

Rebecca Minkoff’s spring 2021 see-now-buy-now collection draws inspiration from the juxtaposition between spring florals and the downtown energy of New York City. Both bohemian and rocker; feminine and masculine, the collection allows the modern woman to express herself through all the moments of life.

“I always find myself drawing inspiration from both my love for the city and also nature, so this collection really embodies both of those environments”

— Rebecca Minkoff

Pamella Roland Fall-Winter 2020 — Rebecca Minkoff S/S 2021

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 trees and greenery, Rebecca Minkoff’s spring collection brings to life the idea that summer in New York City will come. The collection debuted in a botanical garden inspired scene, representing the urban jungle that is New York City.

With a 1970s bohemian vibe, the collection’s summer scene debuted a mixture of floral and animal prints, color palette includes caramel, khaki, and bordeaux, with a rocker retro-inspired mix of vegan leather. The brand’s staples, handbags, complete each look with a variety of shapes with a focus on oversize, studded and moto detailing and fringe. Of course the footwear mimicked these handbag styles like booties with tassel detailing, studded sandals, and strappy heels.

Altuzarra

80’s Sci-Fi

THE ICONIC ALTUZARRA SUITING IS REIMAGINED WITH AN ‘80S INFLUENCE ON TAILORING AND PROPORTIONS: DRAPEY AND OVERSIZED BLAZERS, WIDE-LEG PANTS, AND ADJUSTABLE BELTS TO NIP THE WAIST AND REIGN IN VOLUME. AS THE COLLECTION PROGRESSES, THE SILHOUETTES BECOME UNBOUND ENDING WITH UNABASHED, LIBERATED VOLUME IN A DOUBLE LAYERED HANDKERCHIEF HEM DRESS.

The Spring Summer 2021 collection came to life as the world around us changed. Reflective of the moment and the environment in which he was living, Joseph Altuzarra explored the poetry that exists in the concurrence of freedom and restraint. The notion of opposing emotions—fear and happiness, alienation and comfort, sadness and joy; many of which Joseph was feeling while designing the season—became a symbolic expression of the uncertainty we face while simultaneously informing a collection that is desirable right now.

Drawing on Dune, a futuristic science fiction novel that examines the relationship between man and nature, Joseph leaned heavily on the notion of drapey, soft, and earthy garments that were described throughout the tome—a starting point for the collection.

Nora GharibFebruary 20, 202102/20/2021, NYFW, Fashion

Digital NYFW 2021: Alice + Olivia, Staud, TANYA TAYLOR

Alice + Olivia

An Ode To NYC & Gossip Girl

The modern-day Gossip Girl lives for glamorous New York moments, and knows how precious they are. She knows how to mix and match (career, kids, parties, trips), wears smokey eye makeup by Deck of Scarlet with her fabric mask, and her look is always sophisticated, cool, and full of romantic details, just like life in new New York.

“The modern-day Gossip Girl lives for glamorous New York moments, and knows how precious they are. ”

As soon as I saw models dressed in plaid, descending those iconic “Blair Waldorf” stairs I knew we were in the presence of a modern-day Gossip Girl. Where better to stage this fete than in an Upper East Side townhouse, where uptown revels with downtown, and excitement meets sophistication. It felt like an ode to New York City, after a year of uncertainty, a year where people questioned “is New York is alive?” — here we are, this collection is the debut of everything we love and missed, giving new life to New York.

A collection of black, white, and red with pops of bold citron in a modern approach to tweed and lush faux fur jackets, fun party dresses, and floor length gowns. Almost as if Blair Waldorf and Jenny Humphrey created a line together — it’s the perfect mix of uptown and downtown NYC. Stacey Bendet styled in collaboration with Gossip Girl’s Eric Daman, who styled the original Gossip Girl and is also behind the 2021reboot. His penchant for pearls, plaid and texture makes for the perfect crossover of designers.

Staud

Elegant Approach to warmth & comfort

The Staud woman emanates warmth and comfort. No matter the destination, she always feels at home. with Playful nostalgic grandma-esque pieces of storybook sweaters, argyle pants, and needlepoint bags

“I feel like there’s definitely more of a need to dress for function instead of for fun”

— Sarah Staudinger

This season Staud embraces the familiar. Not only through cozy sweaters and knit soft sherpas, but also hints of a place that has provided us with emotional comfort and familiarity this year — home. With patterns of tic-tac-toe and childhood rooms, it brought forth a simple feeling of childhood nostalgia, family homes, and treasured moments. The collection delivers a sense of playfulness and heartfelt feeling of home in every way, and instead of leaving these simple pleasures behind as we return to normal life in 2021, they are stitched together.

TANYA TAYLOR

Joy is back for a Hopeful future

inspired by feeling hopeful for the future. That hopefulness inspired the energetic, vibrant mood of the collection. The brand focused on joy and expressing that through its commitment to bold color and artful prints. The collection is an interpretation of how women can bring feminine function to their new reality.

“The collection is an interpretation of how women can bring feminine function to their new reality.”

With so few in-person runway presentations in New York this season, the pressure is on to make a show feel like a show. So when I sat down, in my stay-at-home pjs, and opened my Zoom to watch Tanya Taylor’s summer 2021 collection — I was blown away by the energetic, optimistic spirit of the collection. There’s still the big question of how we’ll all ease back out of our homes and into the worlds by the summer. After sitting in my home loungewear almost every day since October, it’s hard to find a compelling reason to get dressed up again.

Leave it to Tanya Taylor to remind us.

The Spring 2021 collection was inspired by feeling hopeful for the future. Full of color, artful prints, and playful sleeves —the collection showed joy and hopefulness inspired by the energetic, vibrant mood of the collection.

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

Digital NYFW 2021: Naeem Khan, Veronica Beard, Bronx and Banco

Naeem Khan

A Dazzling Affair

Pandemic or not, Naeem Khan is delivering his brand of embellished event dressing for fall. Bold floral suiting, bedazzled column gowns, beaded jumpsuits — each a sexy statement maker. Khan is making a bet that there will be parties to attend come fall.

“We all want to feel fabulous”

— Naeem Khan

“We want to feel fabulous” Khan says, as people are reemerging here in New York in this post-quarantine life. After months of uncertainty we are beginning to feel hopeful and find reasons to dress up again — surely summer 2021 will be the season of countless postponed weddings. So Khan has a point, we want to feel fabulous and his collection dove into that idea to bring the glamour and dazzle back into our lives.

He revived some of his classic, Halston-esque silhouettes like tunic gowns and body-hugging sequined halter dresses, set on the stage of Zaha Hadid’s highline building. Other pieces stood out with intricate hand-beaded, colorful patterned tops, jacket, and dresses.. He stuck to mostly jewel tones, with some leopard prints and sparkly star embroidery mixed in. Each piece dripped of elegance and glamour, so even if we stick to at-home dinners, it shall be a fabulous one.

Veronica Beard

Of comfort and Fantasy

This collection had a softer, slightly rugged feel influenced by the outdoorsy attitude that’s been sweeping fashion: Oversized camo jackets and quilted shells, as their cargo pants were tucked into riding boots.

“Because after seeing the lifestyle shift over the past year, we realized the need to expand into more casual and off-duty lifestyle pieces that she can wear to workout or around the house and still feel chic and put together.”

— Veronica Swanson Beard

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 the Veronica Beard’s fall 2021 collection, there was the marriage between extreme comfort and fantasy. With so much change this past pandemic year. the Veronica’s have officially leaned into the loungewear trend. From gray sweatsuits to flannel blazer with stretchy knit sleeves and the latest addition to a more fantasy-esque line of sparkly minis, paisley chiffons dresses and velvet suits.

Bronx and Banco

Disco Fever Moments

A color palette of black, gold and silver created opulent looks designed for a night on the town, echoing moments from the discos of the 70’s. Of note are the sexy cutouts in various looks which add moments of beautiful intrigue to each look.

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 Piano Room in Sydney, Australia, Natalie De’Banco revived disco fever through her collection of beauty and glamorous, glittering nightlife scene. Models walked down the runway at Soho Grand Hotel’s Club Room in NYC in a palette of black, gold, and silver dresses designed for a night out. As we sit at home (while in our quarantine pjs), watching these pieces down a digital runway — it brought back the imagination and hopefulness that we will soon be strutting in seductive silhouettes and cutout shimmering dresses once again.

Echoing moments from the discos of the 70’s, each piece brought an element of sexy which add moments of beautiful intrigue to each look. With her revival of disco fever seventies, came the revival of hope that we will be frolicking in the city streets to summer nights out in these dresses.

Bronx and Banco Fall/Winter 2021 Collection Presentation

Nora GharibFebruary 16, 202102/15/2021, NYFW, Fashionn

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.

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