Although some thought it went well, New York Fashion Week was somewhat of a non-entity. Let’s break it down: There were 177 designers registered to show their collections during NYFW. That number was reduced to 66 this season, with mostly all of them doing virtual fashion collections, via video or short film. Only about five designers presented live shows, with a limited number of guests and mostly utilizing outdoor locations with full social distancing and temperature testing before entry. 

BOLD MOVE

Jason Wu was the first of the bold ones to move forward with a live show. He transformed the rooftop of Spring Studios into a tropical garden in Tulum, Mexico – the inspiration for his spring/summer 2021 collection. There were only 36 guests, made up of a few editors and friends, seated in a social distance situation. Actress, model, and activist Indya Moore (from `Pose’) opened the show with 33 other models in tow. It was a vacation-ready collection that vogue.com described as `a collection that spoke to the beauty and joy that can be found through escapism.’ 

UNDER THE BRIDGE OR POOLSIDE

Christian Siriano had a small group around the poolside of his Connecticut home for his show of bright colors and fussy shiny gowns. Michael Kors was due for a small showing in Manhattan, but alas – word is that he will do his show at a remote location in the Bronx….in October. Eckhaus Latta designers, Mike Eckhaus and Zoe Latta invited 10 guests to congregate along a jogging path under the Manhattan Bridge. They asked a few friends to model the collection and they did their own, and each other’s make-up in the park, before parading in the Eckhaus Latta collection all wearing masks.

   
PUSHING THROUGH

I admire the designers who pushed through, even with the dull virtual presentations, they tried to deliver a positive message showing bright yellows and reds, with a vibrant tropical theme. At the end of the day, we are still in a pandemic. Clothing sales are down because there is nowhere to go. Designers are doing the “see and shop” concept, hopefully by Spring/summer 2021 things will make a drastic change. Let’s keep our fingers crossed.   

IN EUROPE

As the European designers in London, Milan and Paris move forward with virtual shows, they seem to be more organized and prepared. The trends are similar and they are more creative in their content – ruffles, frills, color. Nothing stunningly new or innovative but more sustainable clothing are coming through. A sure `attention getter’ was Prada, whose video presentation showed bold color in sustainable fabrics. Everything was long and narrow, with a few exceptions like the holey turtlenecks over full gathered skirts, and the words and graphics festooned across loose shift dresses and loose flared coats. Completing the Prada uniform – pointy toe, sling back, kitten heeled shoes. Voila!