While some New York designers opted out of showing during the spring/summer 2021 season—including industry heavy hitters like Michael Kors, Marc Jacobs, and more—others persevered. NYFW’s digital stage saw many interpretations, but a few moments felt as chaotic as trying to find your seat at an IRL runway show. It begs the question: must the show go on? For the following designers, it did. From designer Segways to socially distanced catwalks, read on for the wildest moments that happened this week.
1
Coco Rocha’s Wet Mask at Christian Siriano
Christian Siriano held an actual runway show at his stately home in Connecticut this season. And while the clothes were lovely as always, chaos ensued when a pregnant Coco Rocha stepped into the pool wearing a ball gown. Her dress weighed down with water and she struggled to climb out, requiring assistance from an onlooker. All in all, it made for really great TikTok content.
2
“An absolute nightmare” with Tom Ford
COVID-19’s impact directly hit Tom Ford, as he explains in a video posted to the brand’s Instagram. With sample rooms and showrooms closed during coronavirus, the company had limited access to not only getting fabric, but working altogether. Seamstresses were sewing at home and it impacted the brand’s workflow. “It was very hard to be creative in that environment,” Ford admits. You wouldn’t be able to tell they struggled though, given the collection’s end result.
3
Jason Wu’s Socially Distanced Runway
Snagging a front row seat is difficult as is, but this season edited down the guest list for the sake of safety. Many designers like Jason Wu opted for a socially distanced runway show, which created an intimate setting (and very surreal wide shots).
4
An Intimate Dinner at Laquan Smith
Outdoor dining meets NYFW with Laquan Smith. Instead of presenting, Smith invited his closest friends and creatives to a brand dinner on a rooftop in Manhattan hosted with musician Lion Babe. To say the dress code was good is an understatement.
5
Lil Nas X, Segways, and Christian Cowan
Designer Christian Cowan joined forces with Lil Nas X and—reads notes—Segway for a spring-summer collection that is all about giving back and showing up. 100% of the profits from this unisex line will benefit Atlanta’s Black queer youth community with the Loveland Foundation, an organization founded by activist and writer Rachel Cargle who also starred in the show. Oh and there were custom scooters, too.
6
Collina Strada: Change is Cute
As the industry pushes forward, Hilary Taymour of Collina Strada utilized her show as a platform to discuss the world’s current climate. Not only was the inclusive casting a welcome change, but she partnered with two artists who directly address Black issues. The digital show was made in collaboration with Sean-Kierre Lyons, whose “By Any Means Necessary” series features Black folklore minstrel and personal experiences, and Alicia Mersy, an artist who specializes in political resistance video.
7
Dystopian Street Style
Street style has long been described as a circus, but this season took it to the next level. For the brave attendees that actually showed up IRL, some went beyond matching masks to their outfits and instead wore Fauci and NASA-approved headgear.
8
Augmented Reality at Khaite
Khaite went beyond the digital format and looked to creating an experience for viewers at home. In addition to their collection, they launched an augmented reality that allows you to fill your own living room with their shoes, because why the hell not?
Justine Carreon
Justine Carreon is the market editor at ELLE.com covering fashion, Dutch ovens, and fashion again.
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