NYFW: The Most Important Time of the Year

By: Natasha Magrefte

New York Fashion Week is, in my opinion, the biggest fashion event of the year (only second

to the Met Gala of course). But these two major events have more in common than just their

prestige—it’s no coincidence that they both take place in the same city. The “big 4” fashion

weeks of the world take place in Paris, Milan, London, and New York, giving some of the

most iconic designers a stage to showcase their work. New York also happens to be where the Costume Institute at the Metropolitan Museum of Art hosts its annual fundraising gala, aka the Met Gala.

New York seems to be the heartbeat of fashion in the U.S., and after visiting NYC for the first

time earlier this month, I can see why. The city is a melting pot of creativity and innovation,

filled with designers, artists, and visionaries who influence fashion on a global scale. NYFW

brings together talent from a variety of backgrounds, and the trends that emerge from these shows often set the tone for what we’ll be seeing in stores, on social media, and eventually in our own closets. Now that we’ve covered the who, what, and where, let’s talk about the when. NYWF occurs twice a year, once in February and once in September. The Met Gala, as you may already know, occurs on the first Monday in May. This means that February’s NYFW is the first major fashion event of the year in the U.S.. In the fashion world, the month of February marks the beginning of the transition from winter into spring. But NYFW is one step ahead. Spring and summer collections are usually showcased in the fashion week of the previous year (in September), leaving fall and winter collections to be showcased in February.

While these seasons may seem so far from now, it’s never too early to start forming and

predicting fashion trends of the future. And while trends are always evolving, they also tend

to repeat themselves, taking inspiration from the past and reinventing it in new ways. Staying

on top of trends isn’t about wearing the exact same thing as everyone else; it’s about

understanding what’s coming, exploring new styles, and making them your own.

One of the shows from this month that really caught my eye was Carolina Herrera’s

Fall/Winter collection by creative director Wes Gordon. See for yourself! Or watch a short

TikTok recap here. Let’s break down some of the trends that were showcased and how you can incorporate them into your own style without breaking the bank.

Statement Florals and Bows

I know what you’re thinking. When is this bow trend going to stop? Personally, I’m tired of

putting back cute clothes I found because they're covered in little bows or have a huge

graphic of a bow plastered on the front. I’ll admit, it can look tacky. However, when styled

the right way, an actual 3-dimensional bow or flower can add a sculptural and sophisticated

element to any piece. This Zara top gives the same textured floral vibe and is currently on

sale for 8 dollars!

Jewel-Toned Vibrant Colors

Another theme we saw repeated throughout the collection was the use of bold and vibrant

colors. Many of the looks included rich shades of emerald green and sapphire blue. Who

doesn’t want a dress the color of a gemstone? This dark blue maxi dress from Peppermayo

has the same pleated bottom and cinched waist structure, while also incorporating the bold

blue color that’ll make sure you stand out in a crowd. If you were born in September, this is

also your birthstone color. Find your own birthstone color here!

Sophisticated/Structured Blazers

We could continue observing the trends from the show all day, but you probably don’t have

the time for that, so we’ll just look at one more. Many of the looks in the show featured sharp-looking coats and blazers, with tailoring that emphasizes the hourglass figure. Pinstripe was a common pattern on these pieces, creating a look that makes you feel cute, while also showing that you mean business. If you ask me, these pieces make for the perfect mix of feminine and professional.