With the start of fashion month kicking off in New York, the vibrant city always makes its vibrant start. With amazing fashion programs at schools like FIT and Parsons, there is an abundance of style both on and off the runway, from designers old and new. We caught up with Shopbop‘s Fashion Director, Caroline Maguire, to get her take on the New York Fashion Week, and the Fall/Winter 2020 trends that came with it.
How do you decide what to wear to the shows? What has been your favourite outfit?
“Mornings for me always involve scrambling to get my kids ready and out the door, so my pro-tip is to plan my fashion week outfits in advance. Being a New Yorker has definitely affected the way I dress, especially during fashion week. I’m all about sneakers, flats, and easy shoes. I can’t be bothered to run around in heels all day when running between shows! This past September I wore one of my favourite outfits– an uber-feminine black sequin Sea dress with puff-sleeves. I paired it with a pair of high-top converse sneakers and absolutely loved the juxtaposition of glamorous and casual.”
What were some of the standout shows for you this season?
“I absolutely loved Monse, Ulla Johnson, Brock, Khaite, and Sies Marjan. All of these brands have been influential in global trends that our customer is coveting season after season. The designers are hyper-aware of the latest trends and never sacrifice good style. More importantly, their products are created for an on-the-go lifestyle–cool accessories that stand out and feel both fresh and functional.”
What are some noteworthy fashion and accessory trends coming out of New York Fashion Week for Fall/Winter 2020?
“For apparel, outwear was a huge focus of mine, with plaid and tweed menswear-inspired toppers and bold faux shearling coats done in updated silhouettes and colourways such as peach, teal, hunter green and yellow. Knitwear was consistent throughout collections, with a focus on tonal dressing and twin sets. For accessories and RTW, we saw new colourways introduced in leather (faux, real, and patent!) in burgundy, chocolate brown, and ivory. We always keep an eye out for versatile trends that we know our customer loves, and are predicting lots of handbags in soft leathers, structured frames, thick chain straps, and the evergreen clutch. In footwear, we’ll see tall structured and slouched over the knee boots, as well as Chelsea and moto styles continuing through fall.”
Are there any key elements that set New York Fashion Week apart from the other fashion weeks?
“Being a New Yorker, I like to think that NYFW sets the tone for the season. The energy here is unmatched, and it’s where a lot of new talent and emerging designers are inspired and embraced. NYFW has long been the event to kickstart the season, but the way brands are able to connect with consumers during this time is more important than ever, and NY encourages that.”
Do you have any favourite moments from attending fashion week?
“Too many to count! Being able to see so many of my friends that I only get to see a few times a year, finding inspiration in street style, witnessing our favourite designers reveal new collections, and most importantly– everyone celebrating the beauty of fashion!”
