Trends are finally emerging from the New York Spring 2015 collections. On the runway, it’s still all about the cut-out and dressing in head-to-toe white. Off the runway, it’s heat. “I barely have clothes on and I’m so hot,” said one editor to another as they made their way into the James Farley Post Office to take in the Prabal Gurung show, on a busy Saturday that felt more like mid-August than early September.
Once inside, Mr. Gurung’s breezy, belted silk dresses, strapless cutout gowns and drawstring jumpsuits cooled down the crowd, which included jewelry designer Jennifer Fisher, the CFDA’s Steven Kolb, Peter and Harry Brant and Lauren Santo Domingo. Then it was on to Milk Studios for the highly anticipated Ostwald Helgason show. Hailing from London, Susanne Ostwald and Ingvar Helgason are still new on the New York scene, but their collections are gaining a quiet confidence among the downtown set. The designers remarked that this was their first “serious” collection, based on their childhood. The show featured an elevated take on scout uniforms, with folklore prints and patches, dreamy organza skirts and separates with oversized pockets. The stellar front row, which included Yasmine Sewell, Kate Foley, Leandra Medine, and Natalie Joos showed that the brand is quickly becoming a force in New York fashion.
Then it was back uptown to Mara Hoffman, a fan favorite known for her tribal, spiritual take on swim and resortwear. This season, Ms. Hoffman eschewed her typical bold palette for more muted hues, as seen through bandeau dresses, wide leg trousers and button down tops. With a brief stop at Herve Leger, which showed its typical bandange dresses and variations thereof for fans like Petra Nemcova and Katie Cassidy, it was onto the epic Alexander Wang show at Pier 94. Another steamy venue, fans like Rihanna and Nicki Minaj fanned themselves as Wang sent out his edgy take on sportswear, complete with colorful little minidresses that would be perfect for tennis and high waisted slim pants with his signature tee-shirt tucked inside. As fans made their way outside, it was on to one more show, Altuzarra, to wrap up Saturday. Back down to Spring Street Studios, where the young designer, inspired by Rosemary’s Baby sent out a feminine array of plunging floral dresses, sexy gingham suits, and striped day dresses.