In an age where the Instagram moment dictates decision-making, it’s been pleasant to see the focus shift to what feels like real-life styling for the contemporary woman down the runway these past weeks. With one foot out the door in following the shows closely, and an agenda that prioritises functionality over folly, these are the shows that offered up a quiet sense of focus with a realistic approach to how we get dressed in the morning.
Gabriela Hearst
As of February 12, fringe is very much back. Long-line skirts, purposeful tailoring and endless fringe, Hearst’s nod to the 70s was the only non-modern thing about the show. Hearst set out to implement a number of sustainability-focused practices in her shows in 2020, and the hay bales made of shredded paper that were dotted around the Fall 2020 shows set were just a metaphorical tip-of-the-iceberg for what the designer has planned this year.
Khaite
When sex appeal and classic comfort meet, Khaite always comes to mind. With its roots in elevated jeans and cashmere sweaters, Holstein’s Autumn Winter 2020 collection did not fall short of this. Mixing denim with leather and cowboy-style knee-high boots with translucent tights, the collection was the perfect youthful injection into an otherwise considered aesthetic.
Khaite
When sex appeal and classic comfort meet, Khaite always comes to mind. With its roots in elevated jeans and cashmere sweaters, Holstein’s Autumn Winter 2020 collection did not fall short of this. Mixing denim with leather and cowboy-style knee-high boots with translucent tights, the collection was the perfect youthful injection into an otherwise considered aesthetic.
The Row
Zero surprises here, but everything in this show got me excited for colder weather with unexpected fervour. Whether or not you have the budget to spend on the real deal, The Row’s Fall 2020 show combined clean lines, tones and subtle layering to filled the gap in our Philo-free hearts. An impossibly calm collection of tailoring and rich neutrals provide anyone that owns tailored pants and a turtleneck with a shot at looking the part.
Dion Lee
An everyday collection? Absolutely not. An weekend collection? Absolutely. Lee’s focus on androgynous uniformity never fails to make us want to buckle up our leather garters (literally) and hit a warehouse party quite like any other collection. The elevated club-kid aesthetic offered low rise trousers with thong-like cut-outs, hook and eye closures, cropped tops and skirts suspended and ruched with heavy chains that feel like a considered and robust take on modern sex appeal.
Dion Lee
An everyday collection? Absolutely not. An weekend collection? Absolutely. Lee’s focus on androgynous uniformity never fails to make us want to buckle up our leather garters (literally) and hit a warehouse party quite like any other collection. The elevated club-kid aesthetic offered low rise trousers with thong-like cut-outs, hook and eye closures, cropped tops and skirts suspended and ruched with heavy chains that feel like a considered and robust take on modern sex appeal.
