The Best of New York Fashion Week 2017
Another one for the books, New York Fashion Week has come and gone like a puff of magic — and really, it was.
1. HELMUT LANG
Lang is beloved for his minimalism, for turning everyday staples into luxury items, for his unisex approach to dressing and for his fetish-y streak. The latter was apparent in his Spring 2018 collection, which featured asymmetrical bras, waistband harnesses, and risqué straps and garters.
2. MARC JACOBS
The Marc Jacobs show was silent. That is, beyond models' shoes hitting the old wood planks of Park Avenue Armory, and the aria of the 1981 French film Diva, which they walked to for the finale. Amongst other things, film critic Roger Ebert argued the film was foremost about the joy it brought its director, Jean-Jacques Beineix, in making it, which jibes with Jacob's own written summary of the collection, "reimagining of seasons past somewhere beyond the urban landscape of New York City." Besides, who has more fun making fashion than Jacobs? Turbans, track pants and fanny packs galore.
3. COACH 1941
The set for Coach's Spring 2018 collection–with it's glitter-paved streets and sparkling life-size replica of a New York alleyway–gave a Tinsel Town film a run for its money. Equally as flashy, the fashion combined satin slips, patchwork quilting and sun-bleached vintage floral petticoats with the energy of a dance floor.
4. RALPH LAUREN
Little rivals Lauren's love for fashion but his fascination with cars. Hence, the display of rare and coveted cars–including a 1938 Bugatti Type 57SC Atlantic–at his Spring 2018 show. They were also the inspiration for the collection, which played with the color palette, leather and lines of a 1980s sports car. Still, it's hard to surpass the classic elegance of well-tailored suiting–Lauren's spin featured houndstooth, Prince of Wales check, broad shoulder structure and slouchy-thigh trousers.
5. DIANE VON FURSTENBURG
It's fair to say that Creative Director Jonathon Saunders succeeded in translating "'70s glamour and nostalgia for the past using innovative fabrics" for the Diane von Furstenberg Spring 2018 collection. Confident with color and print, he's giving DVF a fresh currency with high-necks, billowed-sleeves, belted dresses and hand-painted florals. Our favorite: an asymmetric, one-shoulder black dress with white piping and embroidery.
6. 3.1 PHILLIP LIM
With '90s minimalism and flamenco dancers as touchstones for the collection, Lim nailed the less-is-more approach that will likely carry weight on the shop floor come spring. Think clean: gently asymmetric lines, crisp cotton ruffled dresses, slouchy pinstripe pants and barely-there sandals–which included a chic and comfy take on the currently-coveted sock-style shoe. Oh, and the new 3.1 handbag's bowling silhouette, cross-body strap and cool, understated vibe was refreshing among the current abundance of impractical mini purses and flashy logo "it" bags.