Highlights from New York Fashion Show

The 2017 edition of the New York Fashion Week came to an end on Thursday marking the end of seven days of trends showcase. From velvet to feathers to

The 2017 edition of the New York Fashion Week came to an end on Thursday marking the end of seven days of trends showcase. From velvet to feathers to fringe to jewel tones – there were lots of gorgeous trends and styles that resonated throughout the fashion week. Held twice a year; February and September, this one focused on autumn/winter collections. Also there were quite a plethora of political statements. Given the current political climate in America, a lot of designers used the catwalk as a platform to make some political and social statements. Here are some of the standout moments from the just concluded New York Fashion Week

Hot convict makes catwalk debut
Remember the convicted felon whose mug shot went viral in 2014 on account of his looks and blue eyes? Well he is now a model. 30 year old Jeremy Meeks who became an internet sensation after his arrest during a gun sweep in California made his modeling debut on the cat walk for Philip Plein

Jeremy Meeks

Support for planned parenthood: The Council of Fashion Designers of America designed pink ‘Fashion Stands with Planned Parenthood’ buttons that was distributed to designers, modeling agencies, PR agencies, press, and guests of New York Fashion Week to raise awareness about the importance of Planned Parenthood’s work.

Assortment of statement making t-shirts: For his final showings, Prabal Gurung sent out a set of tee shirts with phrases like ‘My Girlfriend Is a Feminist,’ ‘Love Is Love,’ and ‘I Am an Immigrant.’ Models walked to the songs ‘Respect’ and ‘You Don’t Own Me.’
Christian Siriano equally had models in tee shirts with political statements strutting the runway.
Public School Creative Directors, Dao-Yi Chow and Maxwell Osborne poked fun at Donald Trumps’ campaign with hats and tees that read ‘Make America New York’ and ‘We Need Leaders while the models walked down the runway to the song ‘This Land Is Your Land.’

Models for Prabal Gurung

Model for Christian Siriano

Designer, Prabal Gurung

Model for Public School

Spoken words: Mara Hoffman’s show provided her with an opportunity to amplify her message of unity, inclusion, diversity, and feminism in the fashion space. Her runway show began with an interpretative dance and a reading by the Women’s March co-chairs including Bob Bland, Tamika D. Mallory, Carmen Perez, and Linda Sarsour. The message was to come together diversity in backgrounds to fight for the rights deserves and to celebrate beauty all over the world. There were also powerful quotes by Angela Davis, Audre Lorde, and Maya Angelou.

The battle for inclusivity: While Naeem Khan sent this gilded gold gown complete with a matching headpiece down the runway while a heartwarming recording about diversity played, ending with the phrase, ‘We are more alike than unalike,’ Indonesian designer Anniesa Hasibuan had all of her models in hijabs. All were either immigrants, green card holders, or first/second generation Americans.

Model for Anniesa Hasibuan

Model for Anniesa Hasibuan

Model for Naeem Khan

The bandana trend: Designers like Tommy Hilfiger and Prabal Gurung styled most of their models with white bandanas, all meant to show unity, equality, and an appreciation for all humankind. The guests were also not left out of the trend.

Model for Tommy Hilfiger

A diverse cast: J.Crew showed that he isn’t all about the model look as editors and friends of the brand showed how to style different looks at his fashion presentation. Also there quite a handful of plus-size models at the fashion show, some of who walked Prabal Gurung’s runway. The designer also paid careful attention to diversity when casting, choosing women with different body types and a variety of different ethnic backgrounds.

Editors and friends of J.Crew