The comments sent shockwaves around Dimes Square. Chloë Sevigny, Queen of New York City, the woman who wouldn't live anywhere else, least of all L.A., the style icon whose wardrobe sale shut down half the sidewalks in Manhattan, saying the streets today are full of people wearing Lululemon activewear and walking their dogs.
Typically a description that conjures up images of sunny, hike-filled California – somewhere, as a New Yorker, you never want to be caught complimenting – Sevigny's observations added fuel to the fire around the discussion of Hollywood's laidback lifestyle infiltrating the East Coast. There have long been rumours L.A. luxury health food store Erewhon has its sights set on expansion into Manhattan, not to mention shows from Versace, Chanel and Balenciaga having people question whether L.A. could soon be a serious fashion city in its own right. (DAZED went so far as to provocatively ask whether L.A. could take NYC's fashion crown. Much to the dismay of the internet).
With New York Fashion Week taking place in the weeks preceding Sevigny's spandex accusations, I took to the ground to find out whether the city really is destined to a culture full of align-high-rise leggings, Hailey Bieber smoothies and four-legged creatures. And, thankfully, after taking note of the street style outside of shows and, more importantly, of everyday New Yorkers on the subway, streets and shops, I found style still very much alive and well.
In fact, I'm not sure I saw one pair of Lululemon's all week long and when I saw dogs, they were dressed, aptly, in Sandy Liang. Though I should add, this morning when I looked under the kitchen sink of my East Village sublease to find cleaning supplies, I was greeted by a red shopping bag, covered in the activewear brand's unmistakable logo.
Below, five women share their thoughts on NYFW and the state of style in the city today.
Alexandra Hildreth
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Favourite show/moment from the week?
Definitely LUAR. Beyond the Beyoncé of it all I enjoy seeing his collections get stronger and stronger every season, redefining his own traditions and exciting his community.
Favourite outfit you wore?
I worked on the MYUS show and wore a Cop Copine Dress layered underneath a Marques Almeida net top and my boyfriend’s Ann Demeulemeester boots, that look definitely felt the most me!
Favourite outfit you saw (either on the runway or off)?
I think it has to be said that I love anything that Jalil Johnson wears— one of the few true arbiters of personal style in New York. On the runway, I loved it’s a tie between Look 9 at Eckhaus Latta with the fur scarf and velour pleated pants or Look 13 at Thom Browne. Not only is that a dream jacket but I love the idea of a short-suit set paired with a birdcage veil.
What runway trend you will be adopting off the back of the shows?
Mixing a menswear base with womenswear accessories.
Do you think New York is still a stylish city?
Yes and no. I think New York is full of personal style, but like any other major city, style is not a conscious daily activity for 90% of its inhabitants.
Favourite area in New York?
Lower East Side, but I’m biased, I’ve lived there for years.
Favourite shop or place to shop?
James Veloria and Laura Koleji.
Do you wear Lululemon and/or have a dog?
I don’t wear Lululemon but I do have a dog, she’s 15 and I’ve had her since I was 11!
Imani Randolph
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Favourite show/moment from the week?
I loved the Eckhaus Latta show; the live covers of “hope is a dangerous thing for a woman like me to have” and “new york, new york” were so unique and heightened the emotion of the experience.
Favourite outfit you wore?
Attached! It was a pretty casual moment but I felt very myself. (JW Anderson polo, Levi’s jeans, JW Anderson pillow bag - which got a lot of attention lol, and Loewe shoes).
What runway trend you will be adopting off the back of the shows?
Tinsel! I loved this tinsel moment of Paloma for Tory Burch, as well as the tinsel footwear at Eckhaus Latta.
Do you think New York is still a stylish city?
I don’t love to generalise. And also style is quite subjective. From my perspective, I’d love to see people edit a bit more and not give into the instinct to dress for the internet.
Favourite area in New York?
The Lower East Side for day-to-day activity. Uptown, around Central Park, for special occasions.
Favourite shop or place to shop?
Procell and Lara Koleji.
Do you wear Lululemon and/or have a dog?
No and no.
Alyssa Coscarelli
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Favourite show/moment from the week?
The Marc Jacobs show, which technically happened before NYFW even started. The venue, the art, the hair, the location — Marc always knows how to really make it a show, which I feel can be lacking these days at NYFW. It's always super memorable, and an honour to attend.
Favourite outfit you wore?
It's tough to pick because there were so many outfit changes, but I loved this look I wore to the Proenza Schouler show because I just felt comfortable and completely like myself (and warm!). Of course I love dressing up and stepping into various personas for different fashion week shows and events, but this one just felt effortless.
Favourite outfit you saw (either on the runway or off)?
There were a handful of especially enviable outfits at the Tory Burch, Sandy Liang, Proenza and Altuzarra runways, but I really loved this look at Dauphinette — I've known the designer Olivia since she was still in school and seeing her shows and collections grow and evolve has just been such a treat.
What runway trend you will be adopting off the back of the shows?
I felt my pixie haircut was really justified this season, and I saw a lot of great short hair variations on the runway, so I think I'll keep the super short crop going for a while.
Do you think New York is still a stylish city?
Yes, absolutely, but I'm not necessarily talking about the fashion week street style — it's the authentic personal style of real New Yorkers, commuting to work in the morning or going out to meet a friend for a museum date on the Upper East Side. I see similar levels of unique personal style in Berlin and Tokyo. Not so much in L.A.
Favourite area in New York?
I've got family in Brooklyn Heights and have been enjoying getting to know that area lately, but I really feel most at home in the Lower East Side.
Favourite shop or place to shop?
I always pop into Lara Koleji when I'm in town.
Do you wear Lululemon and/or have a dog?
I don't own any Lululemon, and I'm a Dog Aunt (to my roommate's dog), but I don't technically have my own... Yet.
Jazmine Rogers
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Favourite show/moment from the week?
Dauphinette always is a fave of mine. I always adore how they upcycle so many items to make one-of-a-kind and show stopping pieces.
Favourite outfit you wore?
Though I honestly adored all my outfits this season, I absolutely loved my fit for the Wiederhoeft after party. I wore a corset set upcycled by my friend Tracy (@transformationbytracy) and got to borrow my dream jacket from my friend Mandy (@oldloserinbrooklyn). Just shows what great taste my fellow New Yorkers have.
Favourite outfit you saw (either on the runway or off)?
I saw so many amazing avante-garde pieces, but this corset mini dress by Agbobly completely stole my heart. The rich green color and construction lives in my head rent-free. I need this piece on my body, asap!
What runway trend will you be adopting off the back of the shows?
Corsets and embellishments! I mean if you can’t tell I had a moment this season that reinforced that corsets are IT for me. I especially loved the way that Wiederhoft styled it in this look with baggy pants. But I’m also heavily inspired by Dauphinette and Melke to grab my hot glue gun and craft supplies to zhuzh up some pieces collecting dust in my closet.
Do you think New York is still a stylish city?
Oh absolutely! I think a lot of people hate on the city when they think of big, house brands that have lost their character. However, the city is seeping with creative juices. So many independent designers and creatives are bursting with innovative ideas. What they need is money and attention to keep it going, and frankly think it does them a disservice to dismiss them and say that the New York fashion scene is ‘dead’.
Favourite area in New York?
Bedstuy all the way.
Favourite shop or place to shop?
Is it lame to say any thrift store?
Do you wear Lululemon and/or have a dog?
No, but I have a cat.
Djouliet Amara
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Favourite show/moment from the week?
Dauphinette! Dauphinette! Dauphinette! That show, and the Vivienne Westwood party!
Favourite outfit you wore?
My vintage black ballerina sweater that was given to me as a gift, my Hai brown skirt, black polka dot knee highs, and a pair of pumps.
Favourite outfit you saw (either on the runway or off)?
The black corset gown moment from the Wiederhoeft show comes to mind.
What runway trend you will be adopting off the back of the shows?
The shows I went to were all about fun. So more fun. More play! And corsets!
Do you think New York is still a stylish city?
I think it can be, but people are a little too terminally online.
Favourite area in New York?
Downtown.
Favourite shop or place to shop?
Consignment stores! Thrift stores! Lara Koleji.
Do you wear Lululemon and/or have a dog?
Hahaha! No and no!
