new york fashion week

Not packed for NYFW again

September 8, 2021 in General Fashion tagged new york fashion week / nyfw outfits / nyfw ss22 by Bay Area Fashionista

Looking back at the way things were: original post can be found here / sneakers / black top /

If you have been following along, you know by now that the pandemic moved New York Fashion Week to a digital format starting last September. In February of 2021, the format remained digital, and press continued to watch the shows, and learn about the new collections, from home. For the spring/summer 2022 collections, which will be shown starting today and through the weekend, the shows are a mixed bag.

Designers have chosen one of three avenues for showing their spring/summer 2022 collections this September during New York Fashion Week. Many have continued with releasing videos to the press and to the public. This has turned out to be a more financially beneficial way to show off a new collection, as well as a way to not have to worry about the pandemic and if people have been vaccinated. This brings us to the second option designers have this week.

There are in-person shows. I repeat, there are in-person shows! I received several invitations to in-person shows, but since I am staying home, I will be watching for the press photos after the fact, instead of traveling to New York to enjoy them live. These in-person shows will mostly be shown at a new venue; not Spring Studios. The new venue is on 5th avenue and much smaller than Spring Studios, or going back to when the shows were in tents. Guests of in-person shows must prove vaccination status, and masking is highly encouraged.

The third format designers are testing out this season is by turning their fashion show into an actual show, that one would buy a ticket for. Instead of inviting buyers and press to their shows, these ticketed shows are for customers. Ticket prices will start well over $1000, and in some cases, reach into the five figures. What does that mean for the future of fashion week?

If the ticket sales method turns a nice profit, and buyers are still receptive to collections while viewing them in-studio or at market week, will designers opt for the money making fashion show as opposed to the exclusive buyer/press events we have become accustomed to over the past several decades? Will some designers continue on the digital path and never stage a live show again? This is not happening in London, Paris and Milan. Does this mean New York will lead the future of fashion shows? Or will New York become irrelevant? Only time will tell. . .

I have to admit, I am worried. In case you haven’t noticed, several large American designers are not participating in New York Fashion Week. They are staging their own shows at other times. Some designers are timing their shows with market week so that buyers can attend without making a special trip to New York. Others have staged shows at completely random times, or in other locations such as Southern California. It will be interesting to see what works this season, and which direction designers choose to take in February, when we assume the pandemic won’t be so dominant in our movements.

Outfit idea if I was attending NYFW in person this season:

For me, my oldest daughter is a senior in high school. She has a lot of milestones happening this year, so traveling to New York for fashion week this month wasn’t in the cards for me. I will still continue to cover the latest trends from the runway while wearing my fuzzy slippers, and sitting at my desk; within close proximity to my daughter who will be away at college next year. I am currently cherishing every moment I have with her before leaves for college next year.

So don’t worry! Trends from the runway, and the spring/summer 2022 color trends will hit the blog soon!

Thanks for stopping by!

XOXO

Cathy

Fall 2021 trends from the NYFW runways

February 22, 2021 in General Fashion / Trends tagged fall 2021 / new york fashion week / NYFW FW21 / winter 2022 by Bay Area Fashionista

*All Photo credits: IMAXTree 2021

The fall/winter 2021/22 collections from New York Fashion Week have all been presented. While the shows were presented digitally this season, we were still able to feel the overall vibe of the season, and recognize a few stand-out trends to look forward to for the cold weather season later this year.

Fall 2021 has been heavily influenced by the 1970s, 1980s, and mildly by the 1990s. We also saw some 1960s inspiration in the collections. Designers wanted to keep their collections comfortable, yet structured and chic enough for city streets. As consumers emerge from their homes this year, after being quarantined and kept at home for such a long time, people will want to start dressing up. That being said, they will want the comfort their loungewear spoiled them with over the last year. Therefore, designers worked hard to make street-worthy collections which are made more sustainably, and offer comfort.

So, without further ado, here are the standout trends from the fall 2021 NYFW collections!

Comfortable Street Style

The Power Suit

Pump up the volume sleeves

Giant squishy handbags

Totally tonal winter white

Cozy Sweaters

That’s a wrap! What do you think of the new fall 2021 collections?

Thanks for stopping by!

XOXO
Cathy

Badgley Mischka fall 2021 NYFW

February 18, 2021 in General Fashion tagged badgley mischka / fall 2021 / new york fashion week / NYFW FW21 / winter 2022 by Bay Area Fashionista

Photos credit: All photos in this post courtesy of Badgley Mischka

New York Fashion Week is in full swing, and once again, the shows are digital. While most designers present pre-recorded videos during their allotted time slot on the American Collections Calendar, Badgley Mischka took a different approach; and it was fabulous.

Badgley Mischka sent out invitations; just like when the shows are in person. Offering the show to a limited amount of people allowed them to present their fall/winter 2021/22 collection over Zoom. It also created an interactive environment where we were able to ask questions, and talk live about the collection with the designers. It was amazing!

In addition to an interactive environment, Badgley Mischka sent us a beautiful hand painted linen along with Mimosa’s to enjoy during the show. Loved it!

Since I was able to attend the Badgley Mischka’s fall 2021 show over Zoom, and interact with the designers, as well as benefit from the questions other guests asked, I have a lot of information to share with you!

Badgley Mischka are looking forward to the fall season; as we all are. They envision a vaccinated population ready to go out and live life. For their inspiration, they looked to their archives, and the New York restaurant scene from the 1980s and 1990s. They were inspired by the chic socialites of the time who attended the Met Gala, socialized at restaurants, and were the ultimate social scene in New York during that time. Love this!

The fall collection encompasses the vibe of lighthearted enjoyment. Socializing without a care in the world, and having fun with fashion. I love all the volume in the sleeves, the sparkling fabrics, and overall fun vibe. The fringe dress pictured farther up in the post is my dream dress for fall. Isn’t it fun? Reminds me of the roaring ’20’s and the carefree attitude of the era. I’m ready for the roaring ’20’s to happen 100 years later! I’m quite certain I will buy this dress before any invitations to events roll into my inbox! I will be party-ready! Yes!!

An interesting point Badgley Mischka brought up during the question and answer section of the show, was the fact that everyone has been enjoying comfortable clothing over the past year. We have left our structured clothing hanging in the closet while we lounge around in yoga pants, sweats, and sportswear. To keep the comfy trend going, yet offer women clothing which will be occasion appropriate, Badgley Mischka has tried to eliminate zippers, and include designs in their collection which feels like sportswear; yet look party ready. When you see a pant set from them for fall, know it’s comfortable like sportswear, yet perfectly fabulous for every party invite you receive. Love this!

The fall 2021 collection from Badgley Mischka will begin to hit store shelves at the end of July, and in early August. I cannot wait to snap up the fringe dress in anticipation of a fabulous fall and holiday season. Which design is your favorite?

Thanks for stopping by, and stay tuned for more NYFW coverage!