“You look amazing,” is a common compliment, but on yesterday’s runways, it acknowledged the extraordinary. From Motown Muppets to parachute raincoats, it was a landmark day to love fashion. Here’s why:
BECAUSE ANNA SUI IS THE ROCK STAR NOW
“When I was growing up in Detroit, I was too young to get into concerts even though I was always dying to go. Creem would have been my ultimate dream, or The Beatles, obviously, but I was just too young. But this older guy in high school would come back from rock shows and give me the handbills he got from the venues, basically mini-rock posters advertising the latest gig. I kept them, in fact I still have them, and they became the inspiration for this collection” and the runway backdrop, too.
With shades of Motown, the Velvet Underground, and Janis from The Muppets, this fuzzy frenzy was like a backstage pass for our closets. Rock on, Anna!
BECAUSE CAROLINA HERRERA MAKES IT EASY BUT NOT BORING
Who needs gimmicks when you’ve got a job? Wes Gordon’s latest for Carolina Herrera was a straightforward guide to getting shit done when it comes to beautiful clothes. Quality fabrics + classic floral prints + a few wonky flourishes (like a bonkers raincoat-slash-party-dress) = gorgeous stuff for grown-ups. Done.
BECAUSE OPENING CEREMONY HAD A NOVEL IDEA
Here is novelist Jenny Han in the Opening Ceremony look book. We want to call it “to all the clothes we’ve loved before,” but this is the fall collection, so we get to keep loving them way into the future.
BECAUSE ZIMMERMANN KEPT ITS HEAD
Gosh I’m grateful Taylor Hill and Grace Elizabeth wore black leather berets with their reliably dreamy runway looks at Zimmermann. It means 1) Those Dior caps from two years ago are definitely the investment piece we’d hoped 2) Now I can spend my cash on one of these dresses instead of buying another hat 3) I don’t have to touch up my roots for another month. Phew.
BECAUSE ALICE + OLIVIA UPPED MY SERATONIN
When the Hamilton soundtrack and a strawberry smoothie are no longer enough, turn to Alice + Olivia to banish the blues. “I was having a butterfly obsession,” says designer Stacey Bendet, which led to papillon parkas, rainbow-beaded skirts, and vibrant optimism all around. Alice + Olivia is the Prozac of fashion and it’s time to up my dosage.
BECAUSE RYAN ROCHE ACTUALLY GETS “GENDER NEUTRAL”
The trap of “gender neutral” clothing is that it’s made for men, and if women have bodies boyish enough to squeeze into it without looking floppy, then great. Actually, not great, because hips and breasts and butts are amazing, and we shouldn’t apologize for them. Ryan Roche is making sure we don’t have to with vivid and tactile pleasures for everyone. From the saffron cashmere knits to the silky coats and dresses, this desert-colored collection was an oasis from all the noise.
BECAUSE YOGA MOMS (AND DADS) ARE STILL HAPPENING
Why yes, these are models, old and young, male and female, sporting the same plastic headbands that have long been yoga teacher staples (and 7th grade hair savers). To Vinyasa we go!
