Celebrating his namesake brand’s 10-year anniversary, Prabal Gurung is releasing a lush coffee table book chronicling his decorated fashion career. Raised in Nepal, Gurung moved to New York in 1999 to study at Parsons before working at American labels including Cynthia Rowley and Donna Karan. Ten years later, he launched his own line from his studio apartment in downtown Manhattan. The rest is history.
With a foreword by Sarah Jessica Parker, as much a New York fashion institution as Bergdorf Goodman, Prabal Gurung chronicles the designer’s ascent from East Village wunderkind to red carpet mainstay. Featuring never-before-seen photos and glimpses into his genius, with mood board images and illustrations, the book is a perfect addition to any sartorial connoisseur’s collection.
Once again, fashion month kicks off with several high-profile shows in New York before crossing the pond and making waves in London, Paris, and Milan. For Spring/Summer 2020, Helmut Lang returned to prominence by referencing its past, Tom Ford invited the glitterati to a show in a subway station, and Libertine returned to the city to show off its signature LA humor. In case you couldn’t make it, we’ve rounded up some of the week’s highlights.
Mark Thomas and Thomas Cawson, who debuted their first collection for the brand in February, are more comfortable at the helm of the legacy label. Treading on some of the designer’s signatures — reflective fabrics, sheer tops, and understated yet pristine tailoring — the collection was a solid albeit safe progression for the seminal brand. Steady as she goes.
Johnson Hartig’s return to NYC (after staging his Fall show in his native Los Angeles) was a cornucopia of all his favorite things that totally hit the spot. He used his home textiles and even wallpaper as a basis for the prints and mixed that with crystals, vintage painted Hèrmes bags, and, of course, his louder than life humor.
The fashion crowded went underground for Tom Ford’s latest, which was held on the subway platform at the Bowery and Delancey (J) stop. Ford’s signature party-ready suits were made over with funky prints (including zebra among other things) and full leather looks were softened by lighthearted pastel hues.
The latest collection from the American designer was packed with more Americana than Lana Del Rey’s entire discography. Combining ’40s influences with a contemporary and sporty spin, the designer recalled the more optimistic days of the country while acknowledging the current divisive state of affairs with a graphic anti-hate sweater.
Music pulsed through the veins of Pyer Moss’ most ambitious and striking collection yet. Influences from disco, rock, and hip-hop, among others were visible in the pieces, which was largely inspired by Sister Rosetta Tharpe, the little-known actual Godmother of Rock and Roll. In addition to celebratory ensembles, a political call to action was present with a graphic tank urging onlookers to “Vote or Die — for real this time.” Read our interview with the CFDA Award-winning designer here.
Richard Bernstein — who helped define Interview Magazine’s pop-aesthetic with his cover illustrations — lent his work to Coach’s recent collection in a full New Wave art-school revival. In addition to the graphic prints starring some of the ’80s biggest stars, the key takeaway was definitely the leather pants, available in every color of the rainbow.
In good Jeremy Scott tradition, the designer just wanted to have fun with his collection. Strongly inspired by the ’80s cult class film Liquid Sky, Scott put his models in colorful rock wigs and dressed them in hallucinogenic pieces. Silly and surreal, the collection was an escape from the seriousness of Fashion Week.
The designer combined utilitarian fits with a serene sensibility that elevated traditional men’s pieces. Suits were reimagined with subtle cut changes, outerwear was enhanced with performance materials, and while a neutral color palette grounded the rest of the collection.
Always a critical favorite during NYFW, this year Prabal Gurung celebrates his brand’s 10th anniversary. He was once told that he did not look American and so his collection dubbed “Who gets to be American?” marries the cultures he belongs to or countries he has lived.
A decade since launching his eponymous line, Dion Lee has taken the global fashion stage. The latest output from the Australian designer raises subversive elements (like the S&M influences evident in the harness tops and leatherwear, and the hanky-code reminiscent bandana that has been converted into a series of loose button-downs and dresses) and adds a sharp and sophisticated spin in the form of concise minimal staples.
Hosted in the former Bendel’s boutique on 5th Ave, Alexander Wang x BVLGARI was potentially the hottest party of NYFW. With a star-studded guest list including Dua Lipa, Coco Rocha, and all of fashion week’s front row, the bag collection was displayed on nude mannequins as if in a “closed-down store.”
SWAROVSKI BOOK OF DREAMS
The brand’s book launch was celebrated on a Hudson Yards rooftop reminiscent of a prom after-party. Tons of sparkles and plenty of neon lights lit the evening dancing throughout the wee hours of the night.
Saint Laurent had perfectly nick picked a concert location for the launch of their fragrance with Dua Lipa only for the singer to announce that she would not sing. (She instead went to her own after-party.) Despite this, the party featured the city’s most beautiful guests wearing tons of black, drinking champagne, and eating Dominique Ansel ice cream-filled mushrooms.
The year’s hottest playwright Jeremy O. Harris has landed on Broadway with his controversial and critically acclaimed Slave Play. To celebrate, Telfar hosted a star-studded after-party at the Edition Times Square, with appearances from Hari Nef, Lily-Rose Depp, and Timothée Chalamet.
New York-based designer Pyer Moss has won the coveted 2018 CFDA/Vogue Fashion Fund. The label joins the ranks of Proenza Schouler, Alexander Wang, Prabal Gurung, Joseph Altuzarra, and Gypsy Sport who have also won the prize over the years. The label was launched in 2013 and has been continuously lauded for its political collections and celebration of Blackness over the years. As part of the award, founder of the label Kerby Jean-Raymond received a prize of $400,000. Runners-up this year were Bode and Jonathan Cohen, who were both presented with a cash prize of $150,000. Congrats to all!
Read our full profile of Jean-Raymond in the Summer 2018 issue here.
Last night in New York City, something strange occurred that doesn’t happen very often: a group of well-dressed, highly-noted faces from fashion and Hollywood sat down to have a serious conversation. We kid! But seriously—the evening was pretty great. Part of W Hotels New York’s summer-long programming series with Liberatum, celebrating the transformation of New York from dark city to thriving capital of everything-related-to-culture, “Living New York” took place in the Living Room of the the W New York- Time Square yesterday, July 29, 2014. Hosted by Karen Elson, Paul Haggis, Prabal Gurung, Joe Zee, and Karim Rashid and with special appearances by Paul Schrader, Stacy Engman, Cynthia Kirchner, and Tabitha Simmons, the forum dove into each personality’s relationship with New York City, and how it was a catalyst for all of their careers. While it’s still unsure if we can completely relate, we can’t wait until the day comes that we have to decide.
Last night, New York’s finest and most fashionable tastemakers joined Anna Wintour, Steven Kolb, Jeffrey Kalinsky, and Roopal Patel in attending the 11th annual Jeffrey Fashion Cares, a fundraiser that benefits The Hetrick-Martin Institute, Lambda Legal, and ACRIA & Point Foundation, hosted by Anna Chlumsky at The 69th Regiment Armory. After a red carpet opening and a wickedly-tempting silent auction (more Proenza and resort packages than should ever be up for grabs), Rob Smith was presented the Jeffrey Fashion Cares Community Leadership Award by Steve Madden. Afterwards, top-models (such as the legendary Chad White) stomped the stage in couture from Givenchy, Christopher Kane, and more. Other attendants included: Jason Wu, Joseph Altuzarra, Dennis Basso, Carole Pope, Thomas Krever, Diane von Furstenberg, Prabal Gurung, Mickey Boardman, Justin Tarquinio, and of course, us!
Designer sunglasses are a dime a dozen. Unfortunately their prices are not. And worse, they’re usually not creatively-affiliated with the fashion houses whose names are glossily embellished into the sides of each frame (licensing deals!!!). There is, however, one brand that has managed to maintain the integrity of its own label, as well as push innovative collaborations with an editorial elite deck of designers including: Jeremy Scott, Oscar de le Renta, and KRISVANASSCHE.
Linda Farrow was founded in 1970 as a luxury eyewear brand in London. After a few years of early success, Farrow—a RTW designer, turned sunglass-producer—put the brand on pause to focus on her young family. In 2003 Simon Jablon, Farrow’s son, and Tracy Sedino re-launched the brand, and today, Linda Farrow 2.0 observes its ten year anniversary. To celebrate this passing, the label has teamed up with fashion non-profit BOFFO for a New York City pop-up shop and installation at Super Pier, as well as released a special anniversary capsule collection. On our end, we’re enjoying things from the sidelines and paying homage by lusting over reflecting on our most favorite sunnies from the past ten years.
KRISVANASSCHE x Linda Farrow rounded glasses with a double bar detail and key-hole nose-bridge ($540). Available for purchase online at LindaFarrow.com.
Dries Van Noten x Linda Farrow structured low sunglasses with a thick mid-frame and oval-shaped lenses ($371). Available for purchase online at LindaFarrow.com.
KTZ x Linda Farrow oversized glasses with an accentuated cat eye ($290). Available for purchase online at LindaFarrow.com.
Linda Farrow Luxe white, gold and black aviators with snakeskin inlay and top frame titanium rims ($1,175). Available for purchase online at LindaFarrow.com.
Jeremy Scott x Linda Farrow oversized cross sunglasses with small square lenses ($310). Available for purchase online at LindaFarrow.com.
Veronique Branquinho x Linda Farrow steel aviators with detachable leather side pieces ($380). Available for purchase online at LindaFarrow.com.
Alexander Wang x Linda Farrow aviator-inspired sunglasses with a double bar bridge attached to an acetate brow shield ($429). Available for purchase online at LindaFarrow.com.
Prabal Gurung x Linda Farrow chunky straight top frame sunglasses with rimmed contrasting details ($419). Available for purchase online at LindaFarrow.com.
KRISVANASSCHE x Linda Farrow rubberised acetate aviator-styled glasses with a thick bridge ($381). Available for purchase online at LindaFarrow.com.
The Row x Linda Farrow signature rounded oversized glasses with a contrasting stainless steel frame ($450). Available for purchase online at LindaFarrow.com.