Despite the heavy snowstorm Thursday, fashion pioneers attended the New York Fashion Week shows, headquartered at Skylight Clarkson Square downtown on Washington Street, and at designer shows held all over the City. There were no cancelations because of the weather. As they say, “The show must go on.” Attendees, mainly press and industry people, were fashionably cloaked and warm in colorful furs, leathers and shearling jackets, and boots in every style from thigh-high to short booties. There were lots of platform boots, which were great for the deeper melting snow at the curbs that needed skillful navigation. You are in fashion when you’re dressed for the occasion and the weather.
New York designer Nicholas K opened the shows to a standing-room-only, 10 a.m. crowd. His collection was chic, edgy and functional. The line was “built from scratch,” the theme of the show. The high-fashion looks were stylishly street, and one could imagine seeing these clothes in Paris, London and New York. His inspiration stemmed from the ‘90s, a time that promised communal diversity and unity. That decade was also the golden age of hip-hop, with artists whose wide range of topics, political militancy and undertones of experimentalism became a celebration of widespread diversity and cultural acceptance. The late decade’s digital world brought the promise of a global humanitarian community. Recent events seem to have unraveled this progress, and it’s now relevant to revisit the promise of the ‘90s. For the show, sounds by DJ Rob Swift rocked the place. Nicholas K’s jewelry was designed by K/LLer. Every piece was handmade,
Erin Fetherston’s show was about the “pursuit of rhapsody.” Quite the contrast, her classic looks were softly tailored and romantic. Her styles were timeless in shades of burgundy, nude pink, indigo, rose and saffron. Her billowy dresses flowed softly in Indian-inspired prints, styled with poet sleeves. To bring back the rich history and texture, there was lots of velvet and fringe. Streaks of gold illuminated some of her silk chiffon gowns and jacquard patterned blouses. As for her customer, she is dancing the flamenco in Seville, sipping tea in Marrakesh, dreaming about Paris. “We are citizens of the world, and we are stronger together,” said Fetherston during an interview backstage after the show. “This collection is made with love in New York City.” Good shows!