September is notoriously the busiest month in the fashion industry. Not only is the September issue traditionally the most prestigious issue of the year, this month marks the start of Fashion Month — a 4-week fashion fiesta starting with New York Fashion Week and ending with Paris Fashion Week. Did we mention The Met Gala, London Fashion Week and Milan Fashion week fall in between as well? Oh, and we get to do it all again in February. Anyone else exhausted yet?
Since its inception in 1947 by founder and fashion publicist Eleanor Lambert, New York Fashion Week has played a crucial role in showcasing the very best that the American fashion industry has to offer. You might recognise Lambert’s name from her role in establishing the CFDA, MoMA and Netflix’s Halston. After a year-and-a-half hiatus, the last time New York was graced with a runway presentation was in February 2020. NYFW returns to present the Spring/Summer 2022 collections of 91 emerging and established domestic and international designers.
With almost 100 designers presenting over 5 days, (beginning on the 7th of September and ending on the 12th of September), our feeds are sure to be bombarded with an array of runway shows, front rows and street styles. We can’t wait.
The official schedule for September 2021 is jam-packed with an array of local and foreign favourites including the likes of Moschino and Rodarte, who are returning to New York after presenting abroad. Fashion punters with a keen eye will also notice some major absences — most notably Marc Jacobs, Ralph Lauren, Pyer Moss and Tommy Hilfiger.
In the lead-up to NYFW we have your bases covered, ensuring that you’re across the top designers to keep an eye out for during the week ahead. From cult classics like Tom Ford to up-and-comers like Telfar, we have everything you need to know.
LaQuan Smith
LaQuan Smith is a New York icon. Born and raised in Queens, it’s no wonder he chose NYC landmark, the Empire State Building (for the first time in history may we add), to host his upcoming collection. Put so perfectly by Tom Ford, LaQuan has “great instincts, and a sense of style that is remarkable.” Speaking on his iconic show location, LaQuan remarks “for me to have my runway show here represents the strength and vibrancy of New York, it represents luxury and Black excellence. Nobody else has done this, and it represents that I can break barriers and reach new heights”. See you up top.
Telfar
Telfar Clements is no stranger to success. The Liberian-born, Brooklyn-based designer has had his signature shopping bag spotted on everyone from Real Housewives reality star Sonja Morgan to Solange and Beyoncé. You’ll be hard pressed to get your hands on one, though, since the bags sell out almost instantly. Since his debut at NYFW in 2014, we’re excited to see how Telfar will evolve his non-gendered fashion project for this season.
Moschino
It’s no wonder that Jeremy Scott is described as “fashion’s last rebel”. Unashamedly bold and camp, Scott has continued Moschino’s legacy with collection after collection of satirical and tongue in cheek dressing. Moschino hasn’t presented on the runway since their Fall/Winter 2021 Marie Antoinette inspired collection, but its Spring/Summer 2021 marionette presentation was definitely a standout, (, not to mention a lesson in virtual collections). We know that Scott is no stranger to a theme, either. Remember his Fall/Winter 2019 game show themed collection and the Halloween inspired 2020 Resort show? After 18 months, we’re sure the brand will go out with a bang.
Coach
For almost 80 years, Coach has been a mainstay within New York’s style set. The brand has pioneered artistry and craftsmanship, evolving itself from a luxury brand known for their leather goods to a fully fledged force to be reckoned with. With ambassadors including Bronx’s very own Jennifer Lopez and New York legend Bob The Drag Queen, Coach’s Stuart Vevers will triumph with his all-American designs.
Michael Kors
As another New York native, Micheal Kors’ affinity for fashion is unparalleled. With almost 4 decades in the business, he has dressed countless celebrities and was even a past judge on Project Runway. Kors will continue to bring opulence and glamour to the runway time and time again.We can’t wait to see which supermodels will walk the runway for his 40th anniversary show.
Eckhaus Latta
This bi-coastal brand was co-founded by Zoe Latta and Mike Eckhaus in 2011 and encompasses the best that both worlds have to offer. Combining effortlessly-chic Los Angeles style with the guts and glory New York is known for, Eckhaus Latta is a vanguard of emerging designers. A trailblazer for the use of unconventional materials, this texturally aesthetic label is redefining what it means to be avant garde. Just don’t search for their 2017 Spring campaign.
Proenza Schouler
Since 2004, when Prozena Schouler was awarded the inaugural CFDA Vogue Fashion Fund Award, the brand has played an important role in reinvigorating American fashion. Their designs are innately New York, with the male co-founders Jack McCollough and Lazaro Hernandez offering contemporary yet classic womenswear and accessories.
Collina Strada
For their Spring/Summer 2022 collection, we know that Collina Strada is bringing a ‘special guest’ to the Brooklyn Grange – a world leading sustainability centre and set for the show. Creator Hillary Taymour offers easy to wear clothes, imbued with a fearlessly fluid attitude. Creative, youthful, loud and expressive, Collina Strada doesn’t compromise on craftsmanship or conscious creations.
RODARTE
Since 2005, SoCal sister duo Laura and Kate Mulleavy have unequivocally and consistently delivered romantic and gothic-inspired psychedelic couture, expertly crafted and equally loved by celebrities. Their Spring/Summer 2020 presentation broke the internet with their guerilla tactic, seeing them forfeit the runway, instead choosing to drop a star studded look-book the day before NYFW was set to begin. We can only imagine what the sisters have in store this year.
