The Top Trends of New York Fashion Week SS22

Taking place in-person for the first time since the COVID-19 pandemic, New York Fashion Week was welcomed back with open arms; not to mention, the week was capped by the MTV VMAs and The Met Gala in the city, too. Overall, it’s safe to say that the excitement surrounding making an IRL fashion statement was obvious.

Home-based at Spring Studios in TriBeCa, the fashion set came to support in full-swing; heavy-hitters like Tom Ford and Proenza Schouler were back with major runway shows and newcomers like Peter Do and Maisie Wilen debuted on the scene. Across the board, we can see that the designers of New York decided to leave simple fashion behind. Bold hues, psychedelic prints, deconstructed basics and glam details like feathers and sequins made repeat appearances on the runways.

So, will we still be working from home come Spring 2022? It’s hard to say; but, if so, apparently we’ll be doing so in some pretty bold looks, according to New York designers. Read on for our top five trend call-outs of the week.

Retro Redux

From left to right: Alice + Olivia, Cynthia Rowley, Coach 1941
Free-spirited creativity has been top-of-mind through a moment in time where much around us was restricted. A retro influence from the 1960s and 1970s has been a key source of inspiration that has only grown over the past couple of seasons, but for Spring/Summer 2022, this drove the tone of collections in New York. Designers like Alice + Olivia took a bohemian-meets-rocker route while Cynthia Rowley recreated dresses reminiscent of the mod era and Studio 54.

Anything But Basic

From left to right: Eckhaus Latta, Khaite, Victor Glemaud
Subversive basics have been on the rise throughout COVID; while still having a need for casualness and comfort, upgrading basics (typically knits) have been a way to make throw-and-go apparel a bit more exciting. You can spot these deconstructed knits at edgy Eckhaus Latta to more grown-up versions of the trend at Proenza Schouler. Victor Glemaud and Khaite remade classic closet staples with twists of metallics, fringe or subtle cutouts.

Technicolor

From left to right: Tom Ford, Brandon Maxwell, Theophilo
Haute hues were key on the New York runways. Tangerine orange, hot pink and sunflower yellow were feminine yet punchy, while mojito green, electric purple and bold blue channeled a party feel with many designers referencing the return of raves and EDM as a source of inspiration this season. To note, if full garments in these shades aren’t your ideal, channel this through pops of color instead.

Punk Princess

From left to right: Sandy Liang, Cinq a Sept, Maisie Wilen
Romanticism that’s not so sweet has birthed the punk princess trend. The music industry has been leaning towards this aughty style and it’s easily translated into style providing a punk-rocker-meets-Bridgerton aesthetic. Look to cool-girl brands like Sandy Liang, Cinq a Sept and CDLM for examples of sweet shades and classically feminine details with brushstrokes of edgy elements and styling cues.

Architechtural Accessories

From left to right: Christian Siriano, Altuzarra, Rodarte
As the puffed accessories trend has maxed out in the luxury market, its juxtaposed alternative is on the rise. Architectural accessories can be seen through geometrically structured handbags at Christian Siriano and dynamic earrings at Altuzarra and Rodarte.

Stay tuned as we outline the coming global fashion weeks, as well as an end-of-season recap that will release next month.