From the streets of New York City to the “Vogue” runway, top models, designers and celebrities flooded the city last week to officially kick off fashion month by showcasing the newest trends and inspirations for Spring 2023. Two years after the COVID-19 pandemic began, this year’s New York Fashion Week felt refreshingly normal.
If you’re new to the world of fashion, it’s important to note the two worlds of fashion week. In the first, there are the shows in which models walk the designer’s runway, usually wearing over-the-top, impractical outfits that are not for everyday wear. The designer’s runway serves to push the boundaries of fashion and celebrate clothing as an art form. The concepts behind many of the pieces then trickle down to streetwear that make appearances on Princess Polly, Marshall’s and other name brands months later.
The second tenet of fashion week is what’s known as street style. This is what “off-duty” models and celebrities wear between shows and events. Street style is usually compiled of chic, everyday wear that gets captured by paparazzi. With that being said, these models and celebrities are acutely aware that their photo will be taken and therefore treat the street as a personal runway where they seize the opportunity to show off their personal style through curated outfits made to look nonchalantly thrown together.
This year’s street style consisted of 90s trends — miniskirts, baby tees, track pants, moon bags, oversized leather jackets and dark sunglasses. Think Rachel from “Friends”, and you’ve got it. Interestingly, the 90s Kate Moss-esque messy makeup look did not make a big appearance. Instead, in the battle was between the “Clean-Girl aesthetic” and the “Rockstar-Girlfriend aesthetic”, and the dewy, natural skin won over smeared eyeliner and glitter. With Hailey Bieber and her newly released skincare line, “Rhode”, leading the charge, fresh and hydrated skin is the new contour. The look was often accentuated by pairing a slicked-back ponytail or tight bun.
Amongst Bieber, other faces that stood out in the remarkably good-looking crowd were Lil Nas X, Emily Ratajkowski and Hari Nef. Lil Nas X experienced fashion week for the very first time by walking Coach’s show, wearing an open leather vest and jelly shoes. Ratajkowski stole the spotlight both at the Tory Burch show and on the streets after a whirlwind of a year. Her feminist book “My Body” became a New York Times Bestseller, and she left her husband and father of her son after multiple cheating allegations arose. In Emrata fashion, she looked absolutely incredible and rocked the runways with her distinct, confident walk.
Hari Nef was the first transgender woman to sign with IMG Worldwide in 2015, yet it was only this year that she was able to make a lasting impression. She walked the JW Anderson show, will be seen in Greta Gerwig’s upcoming “Barbie” movie and is featured in The Weeknd’s long-awaited HBO show, “The Idol”, alongside Lily-Rose Depp. She’s bound to be soaking up the spotlight in the upcoming months.
With New York Fashion week coming to a close, models and designers are gearing up for the remainder of “The Big Four” — the next three fashion weeks in London, Milan and Paris. For models, this month is seen as a marathon, not a sprint. To keep up with the world of fashion, I recommend reading “Vogue”, “Harper’s Bazaar” and following your favorites on Instagram to see their fits and gather inspiration. It really is the most wonderful time of the year for those of us who are spiritually aligned with Carrie Bradshaw and watch Vogue YouTube videos religiously.
Remember the wise words of Lauren Hutton as you face fashion month, “Fashion is what you’re offered four times a year by designers. And style is what you choose.”