On Day 4 of New York Fashion Week, we were basically running on coffee, mascara, and the promise of Tom Ford. Along the way, we discovered some really beautiful clothes that were a new kind of wake-up call… though yeah, more coffee would also be nice.
Carolina Herrera
If trends are gambles, Wes Gordon wants to up the ante. The Carolina Herrera designer blurred oversized floral prints into tie-dye-esque patterns, acknowledging the fad without trying to zip The Grateful Dead into evening gowns. For those who prefer their clothes super-pretty but still self-aware, this show says, “game on.”
Zimmermann
Do. Not. Panic. Yes, Nicky Zimmermann disrupted her usual hit parade of structured lace Insta-candy with a riotous orange and pink print lifted from vintage surf posters. But by the time Florida native Grace Elizabeth closed the show in a tomato-red eyelet gown, the influencer crowd that relies so heavily on Zimmermann’s pieces for clickbait looked noticeably thrilled.
3.1 Phillip Lim
All hail a navy blue and black combo, from the midnight trench and black boots to the blue-black UZI eyeliner! This look is perfect for witches-in-training, along with women deigning to slay their inbox like a knight coming for a dragon. (That’s SIR Brienne to you, Jaime.)
Zero Maria Cornejo
One of the most revered women in New York fashion made a collection sufficiently worthy of worship, especially for adults who enjoy looking like adults. There was no glitter, no torn denim, not even a bell-shaped sleeve. Just a series of quietly powerful clothes that look effortless because of training and hard work. Never change, ZMC.
Lela Rose
The best scene in Roman Holiday is when Audrey Hepburn flips out for pajamas. She thinks they’re cool, and fun, and—since she’s a princess under very tight rules—she’s never allowed to wear them. Lela Rose channeled that energy in her own pajama-cut suit, stamped with a city skyline and way too fun to be kept indoors, even if “indoors” is a palace.
Joan Smalls at Tom Ford
Did she know the backdrop at Tom Ford would be red? Did she just pick the red suit for his front row because it’s a knockout? Either way, this photo op outside Mr. Ford’s Spring 2020 show is a cosmic force.
Alice + Olivia
Listen, Stacey Bendet makes clothes we all want, whether they’re office-conquering blazers or dresses that scorch the dance floor. But if she’s ever tired of the fashion racket, we hope she becomes a set designer, because damn, these vignettes! Excuse me while I figure out if I can live on paper flowers and a sleeveless dress alone.
Jonathan Simkhai
This guy must have hacked into our group chat. How else would he know we never have enough outfits with pockets, and make some go-anywhere blazers with three giant pocket panels on both sides? That’s like a Mophie, a lip balm, a lip balm for when you can’t find the first one, and an iPhone, so we can text Jonathan Simkhai and be like, “Hey, this is really working for us. Thanks.” Oh and if you’re not the pocket type of gal, try one of his newly-launched bags.
The Row
We’re used to seeing sent-from-heaven staples like oxford shirts and camel coats, built to perfection and priced exclusively for the one percent. What’s new is this floaty collage of sheer shapes that’s honestly a little weird, and gratifyingly so. We can’t stop thinking about it.
Paris Hilton and Her Little Dog, Too
Paris Hilton’s been toting this tiny chihuahua around with her all day. Here she is in a teeny Wonder Woman costume.