This year, New York Fashion Week (NYFW), which occurred from Sept. 6-11, had one clear message: the line between fashion and innovation is as blurry as ever. As a college student in New York City who also holds a distinct interest in runway and high fashion, I’ve been closely following this year’s fashion week. While I wasn’t able to attend any of the shows in person, I decided to dive deep into this year’s press releases, runways videos and
industry commentary to keep up with all the latest trends and new styles. Watching the collections unfold, albeit virtually, gave me a sense of the themes designers are pushing this season as we head into the fall of 2024.
Most of the trends this season were aiming to blend the lines between structure and futility. Designers experimented with tip-toeing the line between traditionally masculine styles like tailored, oversized blazers with softer, more feminine elements. For instance, I noticed in Khaite’s Spring/Summer 2025 collection leather jackets were contrasted with delicate and soft organza dresses. The juxtaposition of the tough leather with lighter, layered fabrics gave the looks a rebellious, yet refined edge. Leather was a huge presence across many collections this season, reaffirming its place as a wardrobe staple, especially as we head into the cooler months.
One color that we saw a lot last year, and is continuing to make a strong comeback, is red as a statement color that is both timeless yet bold. This color was featured by designers like Jason Wu and Theory, which experimented with bold monochromatic ensembles, while other collections featured red in more subtle ways, like accessories or evening wear. Even on the streets of New York City, I’ve seen pops of red emerge, especially as a bold statement color in accessories such as bags and ballet flats. I love how this color, which was previously overshadowed by pink, has reclaimed its throne as a dominant hue and the color of this fall and winter.
On the high fashion and couture front, designers like Rachel Scott of Diotima brought bright new looks that balance tradition with modern styles. Scott’s designs paid homage to her Jamaican roots, with intricate details like crochet and crafty embellishments, and a thoughtful understanding of feminine dressing. Her ability to make the sensual feel real and accessible made her collection one of my favorites. Cathy Horyn of The Cut captured this beautifully in her review, noting Scott’s commitment to handcrafts and the effortless elegance of her pieces.
Meanwhile, Tory Burch delivered a unique show that balanced precision and freedom. Set against the backdrop of the former Domino Sugar Factory, her collection opened with a sleeveless, quilted top paired with a pencil skirt that stood away from the waist, signaling both strength and a sense of release. Her use of sharply tailored trousers, sleek polos and long, loose wrap dresses highlighted the power of form and femininity, a theme echoed across many NYFW collections, including Dior and Chanel.
On the street style front, there was a huge emergence of a new silhouette: the dropped waist dress. It’s interesting to see how the fashion community is embracing this 1920s-inspired trend again as Katie Holmes donned one as well. The elongated silhouette creates a relaxed yet sophisticated look, especially when styled with more minimalist accessories, and I’ve personally been seeing them everywhere on Instagram. I’ve also noticed an emergence in the popularity of boxy blazers, which continue to dominate street style. Oversized, yet sharply tailored, they bring an effortless chic vibe, whether paired with dresses or casual jeans.
One of the biggest moments at NYFW that caught the fashion world’s attention, however, was Madonna’s stumble at the Lunar show. Dressed in towering stilettos and making a rare NYFW appearance, Madonna made her way to her front-row seat, but a small misstep caused her to briefly trip. Fortunately, she recovered quickly, but the moment sparked conversation across social media and fashion circles. Despite the stumble, she looked bold in a camel trench dress, black latex gloves and fishnets. Another fashion look that caused the fashion world to hold their breath was Bella Hadid and her boyfriend, Adan Banuelos, shutting down the street to end off NYFW atop horseback in coordinatingWestern wear.
Overall, it’s been fascinating to observe the evolving narrative of NYFW as it represents more than just a week of fashion but a representation of life, art and personality. The shows this year were a blend between bold color, timeless elegance and contrasting textures. Trends like leather with soft fabrics, the resurgence of red and the dropped waist silhouette have been at the forefront. The creativity and innovation of the designers keep me inspired, and I can’t wait to see how these trends make their way into everyday fashion.
