NYFW SS15: Day 1

I wore: kate spade ny with an Anne Bowes Jewellery necklace
Image by Lord Ashbury

As you cannot possibly have missed from the many, many over excited instagram posts I’ve churned out, since last Tuesday I have been in the Big Apple for NYFW SS15! I always go out as early as I possibly to spend as much time as possible enjoying it. This usually involves visiting multiple J.Crew and kate spade stores, wining and dining with my friends in the city, getting fairly stressed out by the time difference (nothing makes a girl hyperventilate like waking up to a hundred urgent emails) and tiring myself out in the best possible way before shows even begin. After two very fun nights and one slightly frantic day in New York, on Friday morning it was time for me to don my first carefully concocted fashion week outfit and head to show number one. For some reason unknown even to myself I decided it would be a great idea to walk from Soho to the Meatpacking district. I do this every damn season. The sun is out, I’m too excited to spend any longer sitting at my laptop and I think it’ll be a lovely opportunity to soak up some of the city. In reality I arrived a sweaty mess and then discovered I was seated next to Leandra Medine who is possibly my biggest all time girl/life/wardrobe/career crush. Generally speaking I’m pretty ballsy about speaking to people but on this occasion my confidence gave out and I sat feeling uncomfortable and sticky trying to drum up the courage to introduce myself and eventually managed a hugely lame outfit complement and stammered “I love your site”. Urgh. Luckily it wasn’t too long before the show kicked off and I could be distracted from what a loser I was by a very impressive collection…

Wes Gordon SS15

Inspired by the colours, atmosphere, and freshness of morning light. Wes Gordon described his collection as a celebration of a minimalist femininity and I certainly couldn’t have put it better myself. Combining sveltely sculpted shapes with slouchy summer tailoring, Gordon offered up a clear vision of laid back luxe. The aesthetic was all about simplicity and cleanliness but there was a real precision this air of effortless, plain to see from the designer’s innovative use of fabrics ranging from structural crepes and delicate pleated chiffons to modern tweeds, laces, and salt-airbrushed denim. To put it plainly, Wes Gordon totally nailed contemporary city dressing with an intelligent and original brand of minimalism, something that’s not easy to achieve. The show closed with a series of immaculately cut, palette cleansing ice white dresses, a wholly fitting finale.

kate spade ny SS15

Feeling well and truly in the fashion week swing by this point, and mildly less sweaty after half an hour of air conditioning, I trotted off through Chelsea to a presentation I was very much looking forward to, kate spade new york. Kate Spade presentations are always an absolute treat. Obviously there’s the fact that I’m completely and utterly obsessed with the brand but even if you weren’t into print and pleats you’d still have to admit that they’re perfectly styled and a whole lot of fun to attend. This season’s theme was “Escaping the Ordinary” and I certainly enjoyed escaping the sweltering head and entering a grass carpeted world of vivid floral motifs, joyful brights and handbags shaped like frogs and flower pots. Deborah Lloyd’s attention to detail is extraordinary and no clutch, pair of shoes or manicure wasn’t bang on theme and bang on the money. All in all, the collection was unmistakeably Kate spade. It felt fresh, fun and there was not a single look I didn’t want to take home and never take off. Especially the co-ords. They all need to find their way into my wardrobe.

Show number 3 for me was Jason Wu over at Spring Studios, a stunning venue with floor to ceiling windows offering panoramic views over the Hudson river. Wu’s models glided out from behind a prismic glass entrance, adding to the place’s feeling of serenity which permeated the collection. Aptly titled, “beauty”, Jason Wu’s SS15 offerings were an elegant affair indeed. Just as Jason elevated American Sportswear staples with luxury fabrics and immaculate cuts, classical piano added an air of refinement to the soundtrack. Refined would be a good way to describe the clothes too. The show opened with brushstroke prints in light khaki and ice white, adorning classic silhouettes cut in the luxe likes of chiffon, suede and fluid jersey. Then came loosely flowing coats, gossamer fine knits, lightweight tweeds and sumptuous silks in a palette that traversed earthy neutrals through to richest navy, chocolate and burnt orange by way of fresh blues and monochrome hues. Understated opulence is undeniably Wu’s forte and this was the epitome of modern, grown up luxury; everyday items given a haute incarnation through the highest quality materials and immaculate craftsmanship.

Jason Wu SS15

Next on my agenda, after a much needed lunch break and twenty minutes or so of directionless, mildly confused wandering, I was headed uptown for my penultimate show of the day, Rebecca Minkoff. With 3D glasses on the seats, a bevvy of ‘slebs on the FROW and Indie band Little Daylight providing the live soundtrack, anticipation was running high was Minkoff met the crowd’s expectations and more. Inspired by Deborah Turbeville’s iconic fashion photography during the 1970s, the designer offered up a vision of easy, breezy sensuality that oozed carefree nonchalance. Silhouettes were slouchy and fabrics fluid in a palette of good-enough-to-eat ice cream hues. Dreamy florals and delicate broderie anglaise were paired with crisp cotton, wide stripes and chambray for a laid back romanticism with just the right amount of tomboy insouciance.

Rebecca Minkoff SS15

Last but not least was SUNO, back downtown in the West Village. With a couple of hours to kill in between I decided to swing by Soho House. I’ve said it before and I’ll say it again, all roads really do seem to lead there, even when in New York. After a few glasses of rose and a bite to eat with Alistair, Michael and Simbarashe I felt fortified enough to make the high heeled walk to Centre 548 and the trials of the blistering heat and my rapidly blistering feet were quickly swept away by a collection that felt like a breath of fresh air. There is something truly unique about SUNO’s brand of quirky, cool chicness. Undeniably fashion forward – and unsurprisingly a favourite with those in the sartorial know – but also fresh, feminine and totally wearable. It’s appeal goes far beyond the kind of industry types who avoid putting their arms through sleeves at all costs. Stripes and brights and boxy silhouettes in light cotton tempered desirability with comfort beautifully while imaginative detailing such as ruched trims in contrast coloured silks and asymmetrical hemline pleats provided the playful point of difference SUNO fans know and love.

SUNO SS15

That’s day 1 over and out! Of course, a whole lot more fashion week fun went down after dark but I’ll save that for another post.

Love Ella. X