It’s that time of year when New York Fashion Week takes over our Instagram feeds, fashion bloggers give us a sneak peek on who and what’s walking down the runway, and all the news outlets are telling us what to wear next Spring.
While we can always expect the best from top designer labels like Tommy Hilfiger (who is unveiling a pretty exciting collaboration with Gigi Hadid), Rodarte, Altuzarra, Jason Wu, and Calvin Klein, there are some fly under the radar designers that deserve the equal recognition as the rest of the top fashion houses. Not only that, in an industry that is dominated by male designers, we’re glad to see that there’s an abundance of female designers that are setting the tone for spring trends and bending the rules of a typical runway show.
We’ve rounded up 10 of our favorite female designers that have been showing their amazing designs so far at NYFW - check them out.
1. Cinq À Sept NYC
If you follow Create & Cultivate Dallas alumni Natalie Suarez on Instagram, then you might be familiar with the New York-based label Cinq À Sept NYC. If it doesn't ring a bell, her and her sister Dylana wore these awesome “Suarez Sister” jackets to their presentation.
Spearheaded by Jane Siskin who introduced the brand last year, it is one of the brands that are offering some of the most beautiful designs for their S/S 2017 collection. Cinq À stays true to its name in delivering designs that are perfect for late afternoon/happy hour gatherings, the French way.
2. Ulla Johnson
Ulla Johnson’s collection will make you feel like you’re walking into a garden dream. This theme was present in her AW 2016 show she had this past February and it remains consistent in her SS 2017 collection, with a refreshing update.
The New-York based designer stunned NYFW yesterday with her beautiful bohemian collection with beautiful colors, free-flowing fabrics, and cozy knitwear that is destined to be a Spring 2017 must-have.
See more from Ulla's collection here.
3. Creatures of Comfort
If there is a collection that we will be sure to wear in the office, it is Jade Lai’s Creatures of Comfort S/S 2017 collection. With its fresh and bright minimal color palette and structured designs, it is a minimalist’s dream come true.
4. Misha Nonoo
Misha Nonoo loves to bend the rules. Last year, she skipped NYFW to take her show off the runway and put it right on Instagram. Her bold move received much critical acclaim, which was a perfect strategy for today’s digital age.
This year, the tech-savvy designer didn’t disappoint in giving her digital audience what they wanted, and she revealed her new collection via Refinery 29’s Snapchat in a Live Lookbook that we can’t get enough of. You can view the full roll-out of her Snapchat cookbook here on her Instagram.
5. Rachel Comey
Rachel Comey has been in the game for 15 years now, and her designs today are just as refreshing as when she debuted at NYFW 2001. However, in the 15 years that she’s been a designer, she’s grown so much from not knowing what a line sheet was when she was preparing for her first show to having Tracee Ellis Ross headline her fall 2015 dinner.
Now for her label’s 15th anniversary, Rachel stepped outside of the box with her S/S 2017 runway show, by embracing the influence of streetwear and putting her show on the sidewalk outside of the Crosby Hotel. It’s a short step from the Lincoln Center, but a big move for traditional NYFW runway shows.
6. Claudia Li
It’s 2016, and more and more people are embracing unisex fashions that break away from typical gender constructs. And no, that’s not to say that Claudia Li’s S/S 2017 collection has taken the “boyfriend jean” to a new extreme.
Claudia Li’s fourth collection includes 25 pieces that are meant to defy what’s considered feminine and masculine with boxy and oversized pieces juxtaposed with soft tones and floral detailing. Safe to say her collection is a tomboy’s dream come true.
7. Alejandra Alonso Rojas
Alejandra Alonso Rojas’s Spring 2017 collection was able to bring a different level of minimalism and sophistication to NYFW. Alexandra’s inspirations for this collection were her mother, grandmother, and great-grandmother, which is evident in its vintage yet modern feel. Safe to say that this will be one of our office favorites that are perfect for those that want to embrace a “nonchalant aspect of dressing up.”
8. Noon by Noor
Noor Rashid Al Khalifa and Haya Mohammed Al Khalifa joined forces to create Noon By Noor in 2008, and 8 years later, their vision has grown into a cool and cohesive label that was evident in their NYFW runway show this week. This collection is another minimalist’s dream come true with its limited color palette, yet their use of textures and sheer fabric definitely amplify a sense of variety in the collection. Based on previous collections, the Al Khalifa cousins have met a new level of sophistication in their new collection that we’re loving.
9. Michelle Helene
Fresh-face to NYFW Michelle Helene might be new to the scene, but her designs speak volumes to her knowledge of design. It's evident that tulle and sheer fabrics are going to be a must-have next Spring, and Michelle is no stranger to that. With her mixing matching colors, tribal-inspired patterns, and fabrics, her collection maintains a cohesiveness that is seen in seasoned designers.
Michelle Helene, you're going places.
10. Tanya Taylor
Last but not least, one of our favorites this week was Tanya Taylor’s beautiful and colorful SS 2017 collection. Layers and crochet details are in and we’re not mad at it at all, especially if Tanya set the bar with her amazing collection. Also, the colors in her presentation this week might just flood into every aspect of our Spring color palette, because all we want is to embrace the feel good vibes of her collection.
You can view her full collection here.
What are some of your favorite collections thus far at NYFW? Let us know below.
