While there might not have been a catwalk this year, designers still showed off their latest looks digitally.
Like many events this year, New York Fashion Week looked different due to the ongoing pandemic. Designers swapped the traditional runway show for virtual lookbooks and livestreams to show off their newest designs.
The Council of Fashion Designers of America included access to these lookbooks on their website, meaning fashion lovers everywhere could get a first glance at the latest looks.
From looks inspired by historical movements to the year 2020, fashion week was nothing short of riveting.
Here were 10 standout collections from New York Fashion Week 2020.
1. Victor Li Fall Winter 2021 Collection
This collection, inspired by designer Victor Li’s previous travels, is where the Wild West meets Wall Street. With the perfect mix of blazers, cowboy boots, and stirrup bolo ties, the pieces in this show are sophisticated but full of life and story. The jackets in this collection stole the show. Li crafted a variety of jackets, including denim jackets, hybrid coats, and puffer jackets. One coat in particular, a double-breasted checkered blue and yellow coat, shined in this collection. The coat was paired with a simple black swing dress and black leather riding boots, giving off a very chic yet western feel. The show did a fantastic job combining two aesthetics for a rugged finish.
2. ONYRMRK Fall Winter 2021 Collection
Solace, simplicity, and 90s fashion were all subjects of inspiration for this collection. The pieces in this collection stick to a strict color palette – white, cream, tan, brown, black – while sliding in a few mustard yellow and greyish-purple pieces. There are multiple monochromatic looks, and they work. The practicality of these designs would appeal to anyone in any stage of life. This collection includes beanies, turtle necks, button ups, puffer coats, and baggy pants. The 90s inspiration is apparent with the way models wear layers of clothing. There’s sophistication in this collection, with a hint of swag.
3. STAN Fall Winter 2021 Collection
Tristan Detwiler, the designer of this collection, was inspired by a quilting group he joined in 2018 for these pieces. This inspiration is obvious in the way some of the jackets, dresses, and pants look like they were literally made from quilts. The pieces, designed to be gender-neutral, flow together while viewing the lookbook to create a naturalistic feel. Detwiler crafted funky patterns, used a wide range of colors, and overall delivered on this collection. There’s bright colored matching sets and earth-toned jackets. The pieces are playful without trying too hard, making this a very appealing collection.
4. Neon Cowboys Fall 2021 Collection
Combining neon lights and classic cowboy apparel, this collection is full of fresh and spunky pieces. Every look incorporates neon lights – eight of them include a light up, neon cowboy hat. Some apparel in the show include a fringe bodysuit, a battery belt, LED cactus earrings, and light up boots. One piece in particular that shined in this show (literally) was a light up, neon pink macrame bustier. The macrame design almost looks like a messy doodle of flowers, giving off dreamy, light, cowgirl feels. These pieces would be perfect for any cowboy or cowgirl to wear to their first rave, in the post-pandemic world.
5. STAUD Fall 2021 Collection
The slogan for this collection goes as follows: “The STAUD woman emanates warmth and comfort. No matter the destination, she always feels at home.” This slogan sets the tone for this collection, as all of the pieces give off a chic yet practical feel. There’s a wide range of textures, colors, and clothing included. There are pieces made out of sherpa material, vegan leather, and cotton poplin. Pieces incorporate lots of neutral colors, bright pinks, periwinkle, and forest green. Long story short – it’s hard to dislike any piece in the STAUD collection. This collection includes a lot of power looks – a muted matching green vegan leather blazer and pants is just one of them. The designs in this lookbook are effortlessly gorgeous.
6. Private Policy Fall Winter 2021 Collection
This show wanted to highlight xenophobic behavior towards the 1800s Chinese transcontinental railroad workers. According to History, Chinese laborers were often viewed as a lesser race in the late 1800s. This collection perfectly combines culture with fashion, with models wearing traditional straw hats and cowboy boots similar to those of the railroad workers. This collection included multiple matching sets as well as strong, solid statement coats. This show stuck to a color palette of cream, light grey, with pops of pink. The cultural influence on this show made the collection all the more one-of-a-kind.
7. KEENKEE Fall Winter 2021
Starting off with utilitarian-esque pieces then moving into a more flashy palette, this collection is full of solid streetwear. The collection includes patterned jackets, funky button ups, and baggy pants, a fashion trend that seems to have been popularized this past year. The use of color in this show is phenomenal—the designer keeps viewers on their toes. The collection slowly becomes more colorful and vibrant, making this a unique lookbook. A standout piece in this show was a pair of baggy blue pants with a neon orange, geometric design. These pants are simply cool. They would be an eccentric addition to anyone’s streetwear look, much like any piece in this collection.
8. Alice and Olivia by Stacey Bendet Fall 2021 Collection
Designer Stacey Bendet took inspiration from New York City, New York for this collection. From vegan leather, plaids, pearls, and lace, this collection feels like the perfect ode to the city that never sleeps. According to the CFDA, Eric Damon, a former stylist for the TV show Gossip Girl, styled these pieces. The Gossip Girl influence shows, as models match sets, classy prints, and of course, plaid skirts. These pieces have drama and attitude. There’s slip dresses, pearl necklaces, and stunning pants. The collection sticks to a strict color palette of red, black, white, gold, and citrus. Overall, this collection is sophisticated with a touch of glamour.
9. Naeem Khan Fall 2021 Collection
Dresses, dresses, and more dresses! This collection features 34 glamorous jumpsuits and dresses. It includes a solid use of color and material. From beaded dresses with slip linings to simple chiffon gowns , there’s a strong sense of femininity in this show. A standout dress from this show is a green sequin slip dress with beaded fringe. This dress looks like it could be on a flapper from the 1920s, as the fringe gives the dress a sense of personality and movement. The collection also included a cape in one look, a unique addition that gives the overall look a sense of power. The individuality of every dress in this collection makes it all the more interesting.
10. Kim Shui AW 2021 Collection
Designer Kim Shui took inspiration from a tropical trip she couldn’t go on. Still, the bright colors mixed with silk, mesh, and velvet material gives off a lush feel. The apparel in this show is flirty, with knee high boots, dresses with dramatic cutouts, and tight skirts being only a few of these flirty pieces. The prints in this show also work to present a tropical finish, with Shui using tie-dye, zebra print, and different geometric prints to make viewers crave a vacation stat. This collection was fun and flirty, and one I could see celebrities like the Kardashians buying from.
In my opinion, the STAUD collection ranks number one. There’s not a single piece I dislike, as the looks are romantic and trim. The pieces feel feminine yet strong, mixing dresses with boots and trousers with sandals. The use of color in this show gives the pieces a playful and lively feel to them, a refreshing take after a very draining 2020. Overall, this show is a solid 10/10.
To check out more lookbooks from fashion week, head to https://runway360.cfda.com/schedule.
