NYFW came and went, and left us feeling invigorated about the direction of fashion. This year brought seismic shifts in runway production like AREA's takeover of a high school pool, inclusive casting as seen at Gypsy Sport, and out of the box show concepts that will stay with us for months to come. Blast from the past trends like iridescent jackets and the revamped return of the elbow-length glove became focal points across runways, as designers found innovative ways to keep audiences reimagining what "classic" means across the industry.
NYFW is going through a metamorphosis. Designers are opting for more relatable models, runways are becoming heartfelt concerts, and there's a feeling of possibility that's downright electric. It's a movement we hope to see blossom even further come September, but until then peep our favorite moments and trends from the non-stop week below.
Area took it poolside
There’s something inherently serene about an indoor pool and Area took full advantage of it. With its clean, minimal tiling and placid water, the line's choice of holding its runway show at a high school pool evoked a stillness that let the collection of wild prints and dripping glitz speak for itself. Plus, there's the added bonus of having no jocks in sight.
Cardi B and Anna Wintour sitting together at Alexander Wang
Revel in this! Anna Wintour — the not-so-invisible hand that dictates fashion — always has the hottest seat in the house, which makes sitting next to her a big deal no matter how you look at it. Cardi B, a vocal advocate of both couture and Fashion Nova, finally takes her rightful place on the throne where we always knew she belonged.
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Executive realness was the name of the game at Alexander Wang's final February show, and with unexpected pops of color and cool metal accents, wasting in endless meetings has never looked better.
Matthew Adams Dolan added a 90s flair to his collection with oversized, boxy cuts that are anything but clueless. You just know adult Cher Horowitz is totally wearing this set in a charity board meeting right now.
Raf Simons’ Calvin Klein show may have been one of the most highly anticipated shows of the week, but it's not the collection that made a lasting impression. With the eerie vibes of an abandoned warehouse and confusing choice of popcorn covering the floor, the runway itself usurped the clothing and left us with a few lingering questions. Is popcorn like glitter or sand? Will attendees be picking kernels out of their hair and shoes for weeks to come? Only time will tell.
Children are the future! 10-year-old "drag kid" Desmond Napoles made his NYFW at Gypsy Sport's show and it was adorable. Inspired by gender-bending icon RuPaul and designers like John Galliano, Alexander McQueen, and Commes Des Garçons, Napoles calls his style "avant-drag," setting himself up as an androgynous prodigy we hope to see more from.
Gypsy Sport's commitment to diversity went beyond Napoles. The line pushed against what a model can be, casting men, women, and nonbinary people of all sizes and ages, each exuding a fierce confidence that set Rio Uribe's show apart from its contempories.
Corseted looks were a favorite at Jonathan Simkhai, opting for rich fabrics like lace and velvet for an opulent take on the Victorian staple.
NYC-based Vaquera had its own take on the corset, using minimal denim and allowing the skin to peep through the strings.
You thought Cardi was only going to have one iconic moment? Are we thinking of the same Cardi? Seeing two queens of rap looking sublime in shades of green at one of NYFW's most anticipated shows is inspiring.
Pyer Moss founder and designer Kerby Jean-Raymond's NYFW show was an unadulterated celebration of blackness. His use of a gospel choir dressed in white was pure and cemented him as a refreshing talent to watch for seasons to come. We're holier for it.
Maryam Nassir Zadeh's iridescent gown is fit for a benevoltent moon princess.
Sies Marjan went bold with a head-to-toe rainbow fit that had us wondering if we had accidentally ingested some LSD.
Sequins shimmered and sparkled all over the Adam Selman runway, making us feel like the KiraKira App had gone sentient for the sake of NYFW.
Area had one of our favorite shows of the week, and these vibrant boots with dangling crystals are something we want to see on everyone's feet.
As the 2017 winner of CDFA's Vogue Fund, Telfar Clemens continues to break through the confines of fashion and NYFW show was no different. Clemens — who's become a favorite of musicians like Kelela — utilized his music world relationships and opted for a full-blown concert in lieu of the typical runway. Along with Kelela, he enlisted Dev Hynes, Ian Isiah, Oyinda, 070 Shake, and Kelsey Lu for a touching moment that exemplified Clemens' dedication to taking big risks with even bigger rewards.
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Alexia Elkaim's Miaou burst onto the scene last year with universally flattering pants inspired by vintage finds in Paris. For Miaou's runway, Elkaim brought back an often underutilized print, snakeskin, for an unbearably chic set.
Sandy Liang, the NYC-based designer who creates some of the most luxurious outerwear out right now, also tapped into the print for a to-die-for revamp of the classic leather moorcycle jacket.
Elbow length gloves have historically been sanctioned off to opera-goers, one-percenters at cotillion, and ex-wives with a secret. The gloves were a staple on the Raf Simons runway, where his models wore their slick accessory scrunched up, falling somewhere between avant-garde fashion and sophisticated medical professional.
The gloves also were a favorite on the Calvin Klein runway, where they were worn oversized and thick (probably as a healthy barrier against the popcorn.)