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Tom Ford kicks off New York Fashion Week
NEW YORK, Sept 6, 2018 (BSS/AFP) – New York Fashion Week opened with a
bang with a masterclass from Tom Ford, A-list models oozing subdued
sophistication in neutral palettes with Tom Hanks and break-out rom-com star
Henry Golding front row.
The US city kicks off a month-long fashion merry-go-round in which editors,
celebrities and influencers descend first on the Big Apple before jetting off
to fashion weeks in London, Milan and Paris.
Everyone from the biggest names in the industry to fresh-out-of-college
hopefuls will pack a frenetic schedule from Thursday to September 12 as the
Big Apple wilts under a late summer heatwave.
Ford took a chill pill — opening the spring/summer 2019 season by sending
down the runway models Kaia Gerber, Gigi Hadid, Joan Smalls in matte make-up,
headscarves and smokey eyes.
For men, the trademark Tom Ford suit was fashioned into candy colors and
metallics, paired with block shades and a traditional mac.
For women, think feminine pencil skirts, little black dresses and feathered
evening gowns worn with snakeskin-style jackets, with only minimal snatches
of animal print after last season’s feline riot.
Hemlines fell below the knee with delicate lace detailing, and there was
double-breasted black pant suit for evening that wouldn’t look out of place
on Meghan Markle, the newly minted Duchess of Sussex.
Guests of honor were Oscar-winner Hanks with wife Rita Wilson, rap star
Cardi B, Vogue high priestess Anna Wintour and Golding, the hero of “Crazy
Rich Asians” and ideal personification of the Tom Ford man.
It’s no longer news to say that the traditional runway show is in flux, but
September’s edition of the bi-annual style fest serves up a smattering of
treats after several seasons in the wilderness.
Kate Spade will show on Friday, the first since the label’s founder ended
her life in June, with a tribute to Spade expected.
Barbadian superstar Rihanna steals an honor customarily enjoyed by Marc
Jacobs, by closing out the week with a Savage x Fenty bash to baptize her
brand-new lingerie line.
MORE/MR/ 1007 hrs
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– European transplants –
Then there are the New York anniversaries: Ralph Lauren is marking half a
century of collections in Central Park with a fashion show and gala dinner
that is strictly A-list only.
The location is the Bethesda Terrace fountain — a popular movie scene
stealer — and the event an homage to the city where the 78-year-old designer
was born, grew up and built his fashion empire.
Jetting across the Atlantic are French label Longchamp celebrating 70 years
with its first full-scale New York Fashion Week show and Germany’s Escada
making its New York debut for its 40th anniversary.
Rodarte and Proenza Schouler are back from Paris. Vivienne Westwood is
hopping across the pond for buyer appointments only.
Marchesa, the red-carpet label co-founded by the estranged British wife of
disgraced movie mogul Harvey Weinstein, is also back — by appointment only –
– after cancelling their show last season.
Others are sitting New York out. Ex-Spice Girl Victoria Beckham is
celebrating the 10th anniversary of her brand in London.
Tommy Hilfiger held his show in Shanghai on Tuesday, the latest pit-stop on
what has been a global tour since declining to show in the Big Apple since
September 2016.
Alexander Wang, the king of cool, has switched to a June-December schedule
and plenty of others make little secret of their a thirst for something new
in a city that constantly glorifies innovation.
“What we know traditionally as fashion week — and I love a runway show —
is changing,” designer Zac Posen told CNBC this week.
“It’s a very saturated field, so you have to find interesting creative ways
of cutting through the market.”
His answer? Unveil his collection in a photo shoot starring up-and-coming
actress Maya Hawke, daughter of Ethan and Uma Thurman.
BSS/AFP/MR/ 1007 hrs