This season New York Fashion Week was pretty different, to say the least. Thanks to the global pandemic, most in-person shows were replaced with digital presentations. There were some outdoor shows and presentations happening, as well as influencers attending in their most stylish face masks. However, I decided to sit it out. Although I was bummed to turn down a couple of invites, I wanted to take the safe route and just stay in Michigan with my family for a bit longer — as opposed to crowding around Spring Studios like usual.
This is the first NYFW I completely missed since my first attendance in 2017. I’d be lying if I said I didn’t feel a bit left out after seeing some of my fave bloggers strutting the streets in their fabulous outfits and experiencing some pretty amazing rooftop fashion shows. But at the same time, I did still get to participate in NYFW in a pretty interesting way: I attended shows from the kitchen table at my parent’s house.
Ah, thank goodness for technology. Here are the two shows I “attended” for NYFW:
Anna Sui Spring 2021
I’ve always wanted to attend an Anna Sui fashion show, but due to her popularity, I haven’t been able to score an invite… until now. Obviously, there isn’t really a maximum capacity with digital fashion shows, so lucky for me, I was able to “attend” my first Anna Sui show right from my parent’s kitchen table in Michigan.
Sui’s spring collection, also called the Heartland collection, is a great reflection of present times. With a theme of home and comfort, it really takes the bleakness of the pandemic and channels it into something beautiful. According to Sui on Runway 360, “The Heartland collection is full of what we need now –– comfortable, locally made, versatile pieces without a lot of fuss.”
Full of delicate nighty-like dresses and comfy oversized layering pieces, it’s easy to picture yourself in these clothes whether you’re taking a Zoom call, lounging around, or out on a socially distanced date. I especially love the accessorizing with bucket hats, cozy socks, and elegant fanny packs. The florals, lace, and shades of cream, jade, and pink have a vintage DIY feel, and yet it still feels very present and trendy.
Photos courtesy of Anna Sui.
Badgley Mischka Spring 2021
Last season, I was able to attend the Badgley Mischka runway show in person. It was a really wonderful experience. This year, was a bit different. I was “invited” to watch a video presentation of Badgley Mischka’s Spring 2021 collection. And although I was sad to not see the beautiful garments in person (or accidentally photobomb Alec Baldwin) it was a really lovely presentation that still brought the collection to life in its own way.
Two models twirled through a beautiful garden setting. It was luxe and glamorous. I honestly felt like I would wear any of the pieces, ya know, if I had a fancy occasion to actually wear them to. It was elegant and sophisticated, but still fresh and fun. I also really love that they chose to use two Black models for the entire show. That’s such a powerful choice, given the fashion industry’s long history of excluding people of color. I feel like this was a very meaningful use of representation, especially in such an intense political climate.
Photos courtesy of Badgley Mischka.
For both shows, I was of course disappointed to not see any plus size models. This is sadly expected, but I still feel it’s necessary to call out. If you want to see beautiful displays of inclusivity at Fashion Week, check out Chromat, Christian Siriano, and Versace.
Did you consume any Fashion Week content this year? What are your thoughts on Fashion Week during the pandemic?
