Fashion month is well and truly underway, with New York Fashion Week the first to take centrestage.

We have come to expect star-studded front rows, supermodel runways and inevitable political controversy at the American fashion week, which has been dubbed the commercial capital (thanks to its all-American big hitters like Ralph Lauren, Michael Kors, Hugo Boss and Tom Ford). As such, #NYFW has a reputation for being slick, glossy and preened, but this season has seen an injection of young, innovative designers give the catwalk shows a refreshing and exciting ‘buzz’. That, coupled with some politically charged runway moments (remember Prabal Gurung’s ‘I am an immigrant’ t-shirts?), has made for some mega talking points at New York Fashion Week…

The Newcomer 

Undoubtedly the buzziest show of New York Fashion Week thus far has been that of Tomo Koizumi, the 30-year old Japanese designer that staged his debut show at the Marc Jacobs store on Madison Avenue. 

Koizumi, whose trade is in making costumes for Asian pop stars and celebrities, was approached by formidable fashion force, Katie Grand (who found the designer on Instagram) to bring a show to New York Fashion just a few short weeks ago. And he definitely did so, with a quick turnaround of ginormous, frothy, brightly coloured organza spun gowns that were paraded down the precarious basement steps of the Marc Jacobs.

It definitely all made for what fashion loves to coin ‘a moment’.

Editors and industry insiders stood (shock horror) squeezed into the tiny space as models Gwendoline Christie of Game of Thrones fame, Bella Hadid, Emily Ratajkowski, Karen Elson and Joan Small (this is the Katie Grand effect) transformed everyone’s mood into one of raucous joy.

Will we be seeing these gowns on people IRL? Probably not. But that doesn’t detract from a moment of fashion being utterly joyful, and with a world full of ‘bad news’, we could all do with some Tomo Koizumi in our lives. 

The Finale 

11 Honoré is a luxury e-tailer based in LA that specialises in size 10-20 and up designer pieces. With designers such a Christopher Kane, Marc Jacobs and Preen By Thornton Bregazzi taking centrestage on their website, 11 Honoré felt it was time they took to the catwalk themselves presenting their first see-now-buy-now show. 

And the show, which featured over 30 looks from designers like Roland Mouret and Zac Posen, was a celebration of style and inclusivity. 

A beautiful array of plus-size models took to the runway to loud and cheers and applause, but nothing compared to the eruption of celebration that was the finale of the show as transgender actress Laverne Cox sashayed down the catwalk. 

Wearing a striking burgundy off the shoulder Zac Posen gown, the Orange is the New Black star twirled, twizzled, bowed wowed the audience with what can only be described as the most thematic finale at New York Fashion Week. With a gaggle of models in all shapes and sizes joining Laverne in the finale at 11 Honoré, this was an exciting movement and a moment. 

The Runway 

Swimwear and bodywear runways have always been typically been lacking in representation beyond white and sample size. However, the crowd at this brand was anything but conventional, as was the runway. 

Chromat, founded by Becca McCharen Tran, focuses on bringing colour, futuristic design and diversity to the swimwear and bodywear sector. Indeed, she is a real champion of body positivity using models on her runway that are inclusive of size, gender, race and ability. The show was a statement of power with one model after the next coming down the catwalk in bold, eye-catching designs ensuring that everyone was ‘beach body’ ready. 

The Colour

Beige was undoubtedly the colour of the season on and off the catwalk  (I’m wearing a beige skirt as we speak). From full head to toe looks, to layering in different shades - it’s as easy to wear as black and making a reputation for itself as the cooler colour. 

Tailoring is naturally what Boss does best, taking heritage silhouettes and adding ‘of the moment’ tweaks which for this season meant tonnes of beige - what a delight. FYI beige is now the all encompassing colour for oatmeal, fawn, camel, cream, taupe, sand, stone and biscuit and Boss are fans of them all. 

Longline coats, fluid trouser suits, exaggerated elegant shapes made for a collection that we want in our wardrobes now and next season. 

Images: Getty / Instagram