Hey guys!
Happy New York Fashion Week! I’m back at school in Ohio, so I can’t be in New York to celebrate the best week of winter (besides my birthday week). However, I’ve been watching along from the comfort of my bedroom in Ohio and I can tell you, it’s already been a week to remember!
If you read my post about Victoria’s Secret (if you haven’t go check it out!) then you know how I feel about their fashion show in the fall. It left me, and a lot of other people, feeling defeated and angry. On the other hand, Fashion Week has been proving otherwise. It’s only Sunday and there have been so many different women on the runways. In high fashion, we are finally beginning to get rid of the notion that beauty is reserved only for young, size 0, and primarily white women. So many different women have already been represented at NYFW. If you haven’t been following along, here are just a few of my favorite shows so far.
Chromat
Rebecca Minkoff
Every girl knows Rebecca Minkoff for her practical yet ever-so stylish bags, mainly her cross bodies. However, more girls need to know Rebecca Minkoff for being a feminist icon and a supporter of all women. From the Female Founders Collective to her I Am Many campaign, Rebecca Minkoff proves that supporting women isn’t just a trend or a wave, but it is something to believe in and strive for. Her show on Sunday did not stray at all from this message. First of all, Rebecca Minkoff humanized all of her models by writing a little bit about them on her Instagram story or in actual post captions, in a very I Am Many style. For example, she had Noor Tagouri, Libyan-American journalist and activist close her show. On her stories she featured her and wrote “Meet @noor. I am a storyteller. I am at your service. #IAMMANY”. Rebecca Minkoff did this with a number of models, reiterating the fact that models are not just walking hangers, and people need to start treating models (and women) with respect and celebrate their differences. Noor Tagouri walked the runway in her hijab, which is a big part of Tagouri’s identity and her message. Iskra Lawrence, a famous activist and plus-size model also walked in the show. These are just some of the incredible women that Rebecca Minkoff celebrated Sunday morning. I live streamed this show and it left me feeling very full and optimistic. I could feel the love all the way from my room in Ohio, which is exactly what Rebecca wanted us to feel.
11 Honoré
11 Honoré’s entire mission is to include more sizes and include more women. They are shaking up the industry, being a multi-designer showcase, and their first runway show did not disappoint. They included multiple size inclusive models such as Tara Lynn and Candice Huffine, however the most striking part of this show was Laverne Cox. Laverne Cox is a transgender woman who is known for being an actress and an activist. Her stunning and dramatic Zac Posen gown did not disappoint either. It left us with the message that women and inclusivity are here to stay. Watching her walk the runway sent all viewers a very powerful message. The reviews of this show so far have been incredible as well. This just goes to show that inclusivity is a necessity to stay ahead in the fashion industry. This was 11 Honoré’s first runway show and most certainly will not be their last.
NYFW just started and it’s already kicking butt in the inclusivity department. Not to mention, these designs alone are all stunning. Everything about these 3 shows has been amazing, and I can’t wait to see more of this in the week ahead. Victoria’s Secret if you’re watching, take notes.
XOXO
Kristin