New York Fashion Week is here, and I’ll be on the scene giving you the lowdown on all the highlights.
I’m most looking forward to the cheap bridesmaid dresses shows from Ulla Johnson (her looks are always polished but easy-to-wear) and Nicholas K, the incredible designer who’s showing a dress he created entirely out of Pilot Pens. That’s significant not just because of its novelty, but because the cost of each one of those pens goes to benefit one of my absolute favorite nonprofit foundations, Stomp Out Bullying. As a mom and fashion lover, anytime I can support both innovative design and helping to stop bullying at the same time, I’m over the moon.
Other designers I’m eager to see: Yigal Azrouel, who I’ve been an enormous fan of for years, for his ability to cut and drape clothes for women’s shapes like no other; and GenArt — an organization that has been finding and helping to launch new and up-and-coming fashion talent for 20 years. Their NYFW 2015 show will showcase London-based Ada + Nik, the contemporary menswear line headed by Ada Zanditon and Nik Thakkar; the feminine designs and digital prints of Australian label House of Cannon by Annie Cannon-Brookes; andDaniel Silverstain, whose pieces are inspired by architecture and industrial design. Remember those names — odds are very good you’ll hear them again.
Speaking of ones to watch, Proenza Schouler’s runway collections are always must-see events — the young “it” duo sets trends for the season. Other designers copy their work everywhere, mostly because their creations — from formalwear and shoes to blouses and long evening dresses — manage to be both fashion-forward and surprisingly wearable.
Then there’s Veronica Beard — two sisters-in-law who, four years ago, co-designed one of the best-fitting blazers I’ve ever witnessed. It was a big hit, and since then the two (while also both being moms to several kids) have busted out and launched incredible collections that focus on terrific fabrics, high quality and designs that are a mix of feminine and downtown chic. They’ve come up with what I’d almost call the perfect modern uniform, and have kept them at extremely reasonable prices. I truly can’t wait to see what they come up with this year.