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The Men of New York Fashion Week

Thursday was the official close of New York Fashion Week where designers debuted their Spring 2017 collections.

Thursday was the official close of New York Fashion Week where designers debuted their Spring 2017 collections. Fall fashion week is undoubtedly the most anticipated season for fashion contributors with Vogue’s annual reveal of their September issue which is the most comprehensive of the year. The reason behind this huge push is mainly psychological by arbitrary creating a restart point for consumers in the hopes of ramping up interest. It’s no secret that designers feel the pressure during fall fashion week and those who have seen long term success still have to grapple with finding a point of view that will captivate consumers and garner attention from press. 

 

It may be surprising to some but womenswear designers have been traditionally dominated by men such as Calvin Klein, Roberto Cavalli, Valentino Garavani and Stefano Gabbana. This season yielded a new generation of designers forging their perspective of modern femininity into audiences around the world. Of course, there are always those who remain a strong force within the industry, those which manage to keep classic fresh. 

 

  1. New designer most likely to succeed: Joseph Altuzarra

Joseph Altuzarra

 

I remember seeing Joseph Altuzarra’s first runway show and leaving wanting more. He managed to somehow make the 9-5 pencil skirt stand through an eye for detailed tailoring. Eight years later, Altuzarra has earned his way to a CFDA Vogue Fashion Fund award in 2011, womenswear designer of the year in 2012, designer of the year award in 2014, voted as one of the rising star for 40 under 40 by Crain’s New York Business and managed to push out one a successful collaboration with Target. One thing still remains with Altuzarra since the start of his first collection: a strategic placement of a slit that conveys strength and sensuality. Altuzarra’s collection is an ode to the strong modern day women. This season, Altuzarra is playing with prints (alot of it!). While I must admit that not all the pieces are work appropriate, there are pieces that can be integrated into a simple and classic pieces in your wardrobe to add a wow factor to an otherwise plain look. 

 

Altuzarra spring 2017

 

Favourite look of the season (above): The iconic pencil skirt with a slit and a layering of printed skirts. 

 

Try this now: “Marian” Stripe Silk Shirtdress by Joseph Altuzarra from Nordstrom.

 

 

 

2. Designer of today’s generation: Alexander Wang

 

Alexander Wang

 

Alexander Wang is one of the most recognized brands among millennials. His collections are edgy, eye catching, non conformist but wearable. It has all the right mixing of appeal for millennials all wrapped up with a strong message. Remember those shirts with the print “parental advisory; explicit content” which everyone had to get their hands on? That was an Alexander Wang creation in his Spring 2014 line. This season, he brought us plenty to look at from a very wearable black jumpsuit to a series of beaded dresses that will never earn you the title of basic. I must admit that I only own one item in my closet by Alexander Wang but it’s definitely the one that most people ask about. Not surprising. 

 

Alexander Wang spring 2017

 

Favourite look of the season (above): The bralette and long skirt mix adding a splash of attention with the memorizing movement of a full length skirt with a front slit. 

 

Try this now: The Kori Boot by Alexander Wang from Nordstrom.

 

 

 

3. Designer that transcends through time: Oscar de la Renta

 

Fernando Garcia and Laura Kim

 

By far my favourite designer (Saint Laurent as a close second), the Oscar de la Renta brand has managed to reinvent ways to bring the classic to the forefront of fashion. The brand has undergone changes with the departure of Erika Bearman who overlooked their public relations and skyrocketed their social media. In 2014, just before De La Renta's passing, he named Peter Copping as his successor who has managed to highlight and capture the essence of the brand—femininity. Just months before fashion week, Copping's announced his separation from the brand leaving Laura Kim and Fernando Garcia (pictured above) to reign. Kim and Garcia has worked with the fashion house before taking over and currently owns their own clothing line name Monse. Within six weeks, Kim and Garcia churned out a collection where not only is each piece extremely wearable, you can visually take in the level of detail when it came to creating each piece. This season, there were a mix of whites and golds which is refreshing. I like that print did not take centre stage but rather a play on hemlines and fabrics took centerstage. The Oscar de la Renta summer is one that is youthful and light for 2017. 

 

Oscar de la Renta Spring 2017

 

Favourite look of the season (above): The perfect mix of pattern fabric and pleats. 

 

Try this now: Floral Damask Silk Satin Jacquard Skirt by Oscar de la Renta. 

 

Amy Yew is a contributing columnist at Vancouver Courier and a fashion and style writer. She is also the author of a blog Style du Jour. Tell us what you think and submit any questions you have to amyvancouvercourier@gmail.com.