NYFW: Spring/Summer 2017

Remember to keep checking theFASHIONbox for all the best shows straight from the International Catwalk Shows, starting with New York Fashion Week. Spring/Summer 2017 never looked better!

 Alexander Wang

Fresh, summery with a touch of grunge and as always with Wang, quite sporty. Alexander Wang's ss2017 collection at NYFW not only marked a new collaboration with Addidas but certified the designer as one of the hottest tickets in town - Madonna was sitting frow. I loved the bikini-cum dresses and the sporty leisure wear towards the end of the show. Wang doesn't usually do sexy, but this show had plenty of sex appeal. From the barely there dresses to the tight fitting ath-leisure clothing, everything was hot! I mean a bikini top mixed with a fur coat and flip flops? Only Wang could pull that off...

 Jason Wu

Navy, metallic, baby, pale... every shade of blue featured in Jason Wu's latest collection. There were floral patterns too as well as neon yellow and black, but it's safe to say that Wu was feeling pretty blue this season. I liked the slicked back hair of the models and the ladylike dresses which have become a staple of the designers. 

Zimmerman

I fell in love with the spring/summer 2017 Zimmerman collection as soon as I saw the first look. The ruffles, lace, checks, prairie girl feel were all so romantic and whimsical, and I especially loved the Victoriana style blouses. There was a freshness about this show, very elegant and pretty but also cool with slouchy striped trousers and cotton crop tops. One of my favs so far.

 Tommy Hilfiger

I didn't really know what to expect with Tommy Hilfiger this season. Since it was announced that Gigi Hadid would be co-designing the collection with the designer, I just saw it as another form of celebrity/model endorsement. I was correct in the fact that it drew in Taylor Swift and was trending on Twitter within minutes of the show starting, but the clothes were actually okay. Yes, the Hilfiger logo was everywhere but there was a real mix of all Hilfiger's best bits from over the years. Sporty yet refined, beach glam with high school preppy, this was classic Hilfiger.

 Cushnie et Ochs

Nobody does sexy, smoky evening glamour quite like this brand. Thigh split dresses, deep v necks, dramatic eye make up and simple minimal colours (mostly black and white) sums up Cushnie et Ochs. They have been showing for a couple of seasons now at New York and never disappoint with their body con midi dresses. Not the greatest collection I've seen, but there are plenty of pieces I'd wear nonetheless, and that sunset orange colour was to die for too!

NYFW: Alex Wang, Altuzarra, Victoria Beckham and more...

New York Fashion Week Autumn/Winter 2016 has begun, and theFASHIONbox will be covering all the biggest fashion shows and best bits from the talented designers showing over the next 4 weeks. Aside from the over the top, egotistical spectacle of Kanye West's Yeezy 3 show, this NYFW looks set to be a good one, with big names such as Michael Kors, Marc Jacobs, DvF and Oscar de la Renta set to show next week. Remember to keep checking the Twitter, Instagram and Tumblr page for more updates. But apart from that, enjoy the shows!

Alexander Wang
I have to say, this Alexander Wang collection has to be one of my favourites of his for the last couple of seasons. It was just so cool, so grunge and very urban New York. The words emblazoned on midi dresses, hats and tops were reminiscent of Barbra Kruger's work while the use of black was a clear theme throughout. Stripes were printed onto tight dresses and skirts, layers were built up with fur lined coats and accessories such as earrings and necklaces played a huge part too. Whatever Wang is doing, he should just keep on doing it as it's clearly working very well...

Victoria Beckham
With the whole of the Beckham brood sitting on the front row, this was a real family affair for Victoria Beckham. She has been showing in New York for a couple of years now, and her collection reflected the stability and experience she has gained in the fashion industry. For fall she went for a couple of strappy form fitting dresses, oversized coats and lots of geometric stripes veering off in every direction. Stylish brogue shoes came with a pointed toes while hair was tied back in a swishy ponytail. The best dressed look on the catwalk was actually VB herself when she made a quick appearance at the end of the show. Dressed in a pair of black cigarette pants and cozy white knit and trainers, she looked every inch the designer.

Altuzarra
One of my favourite shows of NYFW, Altuzarra rarely disappoints. For fall 2016, Joseph Altuzarra delivered a wintery collection consisting of everything we could ever want to wrap up warm from the cold. The tan and black aviator jackets were given a fresh update with longer lengths and wide collars, leather knee high boots came pattered and in patent black while cosy knitwear was tight fitting and easy to wear paired with midi skirts and belts. As always, the dresses were a highlight especially those baring the leg with a high thigh split. And the burgundy hues were to die for.

Derek Lam
As soon as I saw the first look I knew it was going to be good, Derek Lam always is. From the neutral tones and long lean shapes, to the fur lapels and stretchy denim jeans, there was a real mix of more casual and more dressy pieces. Tan leather was made into midi skirts, khaki and white were the key colours used and bold bursts of berry red came at the end of the show. The stripy catwalk was something different too, but overall a very strong collection.

Christian Siriano
This designer has risen in prominence over the years. Since winning Project Runway back in the day, Siriano has been a firm fixture at fashion week, with faithful friend Heidi Klum regularly sitting front row. He went bold for fall 2016, with punchy reds and yellows which models wore with slick hair and sunglasses. Chunky scarves were layered over formal dresses, sweeping skirts came with boots while the strong colours stood out a mile away.

Balenciaga's Eternal Beauty

I look back at the Balenciaga spring/summer 2016 show with bitter sweet memories. First of all it was Alexander Wang's last collection for the fashion house. I was never a fan of Wang's appointment as creative director of the brand, but his final collection was nothing less than incredible. It was ironic that he kept his best show till last, not purposefully of course, but because this thing always happens with fashion. He took a risk, and it paid off excellently, allowing Wang to leave on a high.

It was angelic. Every piece crisp white, with sumptuous silk layering, delicate frills, ruffles and intricate lace paneling. In many ways, it was similar to the way in which Ricardo Tisci at Givenchy works, with the underwear theme running through the collection and the romanticism of the clothes, but this was Wang at his finest. The clothes told a story, with their effortless beauty and simple aestheticism, with models striding down the catwalk with their hair gently tied back, make up fresh and natural. It was truly a show of natural beauty, and now the ad campaign photos have been released featuring the 2015 Model of the Year, Anna Ewers and Zoe Kravitz, who both walked in the show. Whether posing poolside or lying on the marble floor of a stately home, the clothes and magic of Balenciaga shine through thanks to photographer Steven Klein and his remarkable camera lens.

Compared to last season, when Lara Stone and Kate Moss modeled for the brands autumn/winter 2015 collection, this current campaign is extremely light. Moss and Stone were photographed with graphically dark make up with an industrial setting surrounding them, while for spring the tables have turned considerably. I love this collection as well as these stunning photographs.

Take a look below at Klein's wonderful photography or watch the show at this link: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=4ew9-CcRy1A

NYFW: Alex Wang, Altuzarra, DVF, Jason Wu and more!

Diane von Furstenberg - Flower Power
I absolutely loved this collection! Right when Karlie Kloss opened the show in a classic pink wrap dress all the way through to the end, finishing with Gigi Hadid in a low cut, black maxi dress. It was extremely 70's boho, with models wearing hippy flowers in their hair and lots of loose, sweeping lines and elegant drapery. There was a vibrant mix of colours ranging from summery white paired with leopard print detailing to clashing polka dot patterns on blouses, skirts and dresses. And with the amount of big names walking this runway, DvF nailed Saturday night fever glam once again!

Diane spoke to Vogue after the show, explaining her inspiration for this very colourful collection. "This collection is called Fortuna. And Fortuna is a Roman goddess, she is the goddess of luck. She's barefoot, she's free, she has butterfly wings and is in nature. So it's really a celebration of nature, beauty, freedom and most of all individuality." I couldn't have said it better myself.

Victoria Beckham - Surfs Up
This collection was so un-Victoria Beckham compared to her past shows it was rather incredible. It was fun, interesting and different with amazing digital prints splashed across dresses and tops of surfers riding the waves. The gingham pieces which opened the show were free and loose compared to her more tight silhouettes, and then that gave way to a more, Californian beach style. Victoria explained her dive into the new, unknown world of print after the show. “I don’t wear a lot of print,” she said. “So I was excited by working on it. It’s been a tough week but this is a very liberating collection.” And with rave reviews flooding in, this has certainly been her best show yet.

 

 

Alexander Wang - Back to the Streets
This guy is just so cool! And can you believe that it has been 10 years since Alexander Wang first stormed onto the fashion scene as the new kid on the block. This spring/summer 2016 collection was just as trendy and urban as it was all those years ago, with plenty of references to hip-hop, the New York streets and urban culture. The sporty shapes and stylish jackets added an edge to this collection, while a mix of more evening and casual pieces was fresh and new. I loved the fringed top that Kasia Struss wore! And you can't beat Wang taking his bow at the end, running down the catwalk, hair flying...

Altuzarra - Grown up Glam
For me, this collection was the definition of Summer. I loved the white, lace dresses and the slouchy off the shoulder style of many of the pieces. Bright pops of colour such as tangerine and red were exciting as were the tasseled bags which were thrown carelessly over the shoulder. However, I don't think it was as strong a collection as last season which really stood out for me. 

Jason Wu - Classy and Beautiful
There has been a lot of green so far at NYFW, and Jason Wu was one of the first to show it. The beautiful forest and bottle green shades were tied in with black suits and abstract floral prints, looking elegant and chic. Wu's collections are always slick, even down to the hair, and there are always smart suits and preppy cocktail dresses thrown in too. The frills on the dresses were reminiscent of flamenco style and the flat, chunky sandals were easy and light to take a stroll in.

Cushnie et Ochs - Red carpet Ready
The then relatively unknown Cushnie at Ochs always presented amazing collections back in the day. And now, a firm fixture on the NYFW calendar, this show was feminine, stylish and beautiful in their array of stunning dresses. The pastel colours were especially lovely, coming in everything from baby blue to lemon yellow. Cushnie's dresses are always charged with stamina and sex appeal, and this collection was no different with dresses cut away at the midriff and across the waist too with tight, streamlined shapes, flattering to most body types.

Alexander Wang leaves Balenciaga

Yesterday it was revealed that American designer Alexander Wang would step down as creative director of famed fashion house, Balenciaga. After almost 3 years, it seems that Wang is struggling to cope with the demands of his own fashion brand and that of Balenciaga, and now wants to focus his attention back onto his self titled line.

Honestly, I didn't see this arrangement working out from the beginning. First of all, Alex Wang is young, very young in fashion terms to head up a major fashion house. He is the cool kid from New York, who likes his sports wear and relaxed way of dressing with fans including Rihanna, Kendall Jenner and Katy Perry. If anything, his brand is on the rise, after the H&M collaboration last year and the success of trendy diffusion line T by Alexander Wang, it's fair to say that Wang is a man on a fashion mission and is setting the ground work for what will be one day, be a huge luxury goods empire. So for him to take the reigns of Balenciaga is like putting together chalk and cheese.

Balenciaga is one of the oldest fashion houses which shows at Paris Fashion Week. It has a clientele which consists of older, more refined ladies who wouldn't be caught dead in Wang's sports wear. Cate Blanchett, Diane Kruger and Kristen Stewart (who is the face of their Florabotanica fragrance) are just some of the women who wear Balenciaga on the red carpet. Plus, Nicholas Ghesquiere was at the fashion house for 15 years - which is a very long time in fashion for a creative director to head a brand. For any designer to follow on from his success would be a tricky task, which is why Kering should have chosen someone with a little more experience for Balenciaga, compared to Wang.

So I guess what I'm trying to say is that this move is for the best. Wang's collections for Balenciaga have been good, but not amazing. There have been a few collections I have really liked, especially the fall 2015 show staged in March this year. There is no doubt that he is a very talented designer. He has definitely embraced the DNA of the brand, but used his own style to modernise it considerably. Who will now replace him? Who knows, but there is talk that Kering will choose someone who has worked their way up at Balenciaga. Someone who understands the aesthetic of the brand and knows the ins and outs of ready-to-wear. Similar to how Kering appointed Alessandro Michelle at Gucci a couple of months ago. In the meantime, we just wait and see. But a fond farewell goes out to Alexander Wang.

#NYFW - Alex Wang, Altuzarra, DKNY and more...

Alexander Wang

For next season, Alex Wang is most defiantly feeling punk. From the studded boots to the long black coats, 'de-con re-con' was a strong theme throughout. The models' hair was wet and sticky while make up was dark and mysterious. Very grungy and rebellious. And those dominatrix transparent dresses at the end of the show were a sexy nod to the new Fifty Shades of Grey movie which hit cinemas last Friday. As always, there was a strong nod to sportswear and a more oversized silhouette, but that is what makes Wang stand out from the crowd; he is a visionary.

Altuzarra

Fur, fur, fur...and more fur! This collection was a homage to the great English hunting days of old, with fox fur stoles, camel man coats and tweed jackets taking centre stage. The colours were classically autumnal with some very beautiful lace dresses standing out as a great option for evenings. I love Joseph Altuzarra and this show was spectacularly crisp, clean and elegant with some amazing clothes for the fall.

DKNY

There were bright pops of colour, strong lines and a fun motif running throughout. It's fair to say the younger, cooler label to Donna Karen has a trendy outlook for next season. I loved the simple shapes and those roll neck jumpers looked so cosy warm for winter. A very sharp collection from Donna K.

Diane Von Furstenberg

I wasn't expecting a show like this one from DvF. COmpared to the cute gingham dresses and frilly skirts from last season, this collection was dark and mysterious. With Kendall Jenner opening the show wearing a white wrap dress, the clothes were beautiful with a work-wear outlook. Pinstripe suits, floral tea dresses and knitted jumpers were chic and stylish with some bright crimson reds and neon blue thrown in. Overall, another great show.

 Prabul Gurung

Again, fur was another stand out moment at NYFW but this time with a more elegant touch. Prabul Gurung sent glam fur lined coats down the runway, along with boxy shapes and simplistic pieces perfect to dress up or down. The grey looks that opened the show completely drew me in with how chic they were styled and then the colours from there were just gorgeous; off white, beige and burnt orange. Stand out piece? That amazing white fur stole layered effortlessly over a knitted jumper and mini skirt.