New York Fashion Week (NYFW) Highlights: Prabal Gurung, Lapointe, Eckhaus Latta, Sami Miro Vintage, and Kate Spade
New York’s early September weather can be sweltering, but this season also brought much-needed rain, especially for Prabal Gurung’s unique outdoor show at the Franklin D. Roosevelt Four Freedoms State Park on Roosevelt Island. The park, famous for FDR’s historic speech on human freedoms, faced the challenge of rain during the show. Despite the treacherous Plexiglas runway, the event was a testament to the models’ resilience and professionalism.
Gurung paid tribute to fashion week’s unsung heroes, emphasizing the models’ dedication and hard work. His collection, inspired by the blending of Western and Eastern cultures, featured fabrics like cotton and linen treated with elegance, as well as Indian beading to symbolize this fusion.
Sally Lapointe’s show experienced a bit of luck as the rain held off until after the outdoor event concluded. Lapointe, known for her dressy separates and cocktail dresses, presented a collection inspired by the idea of winning the lottery. Shiny metallic sequins, sleek thigh-high boots, and monochromatic color schemes dominated her runway.
Eckhaus Latta showcased its collection near Fifth Avenue, expanding its audience beyond the cool downtown New York crowd. Known for denim-inspired pieces and knitwear, the brand experimented with jean silhouettes and introduced lace, showcasing their evolution from indie-art-project vibes to a more mature aesthetic.
In a notable NYFW debut, Sami Miro Vintage transformed traditional denim into micro skirts, shorts, and jackets using eco-friendly materials and recycled fabrics. Miro’s sustainable approach to fashion added a touch of performance art to the show as she cut and transformed a model’s pants into a mini skirt and long train on the runway.
Kate Spade’s sophomore collection, presented at the Chelsea Passage section of the High Line, showcased bold color combinations and sporty styles. The designers aimed to capture the feeling of the first glimpse of spring, resulting in comfortable and casual separates with house codes like florals and polka dots. The brand reintroduced the 1999 Noel motif as a print, adding a retro modernist graphic design to the Dakota bag.
These NYFW highlights reflect the diversity and creativity of fashion in the current season, from cultural fusion to sustainability and fresh design perspectives.