NYFW- Oxford Fashion Studio AW20
With the help of Oxford Fashion Studio, ten amazing designers showcased their talent during NYFW on February 7th at Pier 59 Studios. Needless to say, each designer put their heart into their collection and gave us something unique, whether it was a bold mixture of patterns or reinterpretations of traditional pieces.
Founded by Lulu Almuhanna in 2018, Mayan the Label is a Saudi Arabian brand inspired by art, interior, and travel. The brand took modest traditional Arabic styles and added unique embroidery and embellishments to create a couture and modern-day contemporary look. The darker palette of this collection and the long coats are perfect for layering in the fall and winter months while still looking classy.
The fashion crime of mixing patterns has been challenged time and time again and Christy + You, continues to do just that. The brand takes plaids and pinstripes and cuts them into interesting, non-traditional shapes to create pieces that look like abstract collages. It then also layered these pieces on top of a floral dress. The purpose of this collection was to create elevated looks with deconstructed tailoring and fabric limitation while also delivering a message of love. The name of this collection, “Superpower,” refers to the power of telepathic love signals you send to your lover. These signals translate onto the pieces through the wavy shapes all over the collection.
Inspired by her Indonesian and Chinese heritage, Samantha Darryanto reinterprets traditional pieces and fabrics to create an avant-garde collection called “Anak-Ku.” From her Indonesian side, Samantha used batik, a fabric made using the technique of wax-resist dyeing, to create a bohemian-esque robe. Then from her Chinese side, she used silk for many of her robes, skirts, and dresses. She also created a bodysuit inspired by the traditional Chinese Qi Pao, a body-hugging dress popular in Shanghai in the 1920s-1940s, and layered it under a robe that covered only half the body which was unique and effortlessly stylish.
Rene’ Tyler put the spotlight on plus-sized models to show that fashion is for everyone. The industry does not have enough plus-sized options and that needs to change. Shown by the name “Noir Et Blanc,” the collection used a monochromatic palette and a pop of red with accessories to create sophisticated looks inspired by Parisian style and elegance. The pieces in this collection accentuated the models’ curves and proved that no matter what size or shape you are, you can find clothes that will flatter your body.
Black never goes out of style. The Los Angeles based designer and UCLA student, Matt Sarafa created a lookbook of monochrome outfits made from different black fabrics: fur, chiffon, satin, leather, etc. You know what they say, you can never go wrong with an all-black outfit and you can always elevate it with different textures and fabrics. Matt accessorized his outfits with what seems like a gem embroidered fishnet to add a glam and chic element to his collection. Overall, these looks screamed “insta baddie.”
Minimalist outfits and statement pieces are in. Inspired by NYC in the 1970s-1980s, Nadia Kuzentsova created chic and modern statement pieces that bring an outfit to life. She handmade leather fringe earrings, geometric cuff bracelets, distinct hair wraps, bold necklaces, and more to give outfits a bold and rebellious look. Many of her accessories used studs and spikes which seem loud, but when paired correctly, elevated a simple and classy outfit.
Sustainable, minimal, and handmade. The Pre-occupied Collection hinted at the endless flow of information invading our subconscious and the hand-embroidered flora and fauna on the pieces signify what has been lost and needs to be conserved. It paid tribute to the hand embroidery and weaving techniques from local villages in India and brought them to contemporary fashion. All materials used were ethically sourced and produced in North India.
From the East End of England, Poli and Jo brought functional, practical, sustainable, and aesthetically pleasing bags perfect for the needs of modern work life. All the bags in the Defender City Collection are made from Land Rover Defender canvas and are accented with red stripes for an interesting edge. They were created with the help of artisans and manufacturers based in England.
Inspired by the utopian Waitomo Glowworm Cave in New Zealand, MVR presented “Waitomo,” an “organic-inspired” collection that gave viewers a visual tour of nature. First, the changes in the cave were observed and then visually represented as new textures on fabric. They were then put together to create pieces inspired by the hip-hop culture of the 80s, similar to how minerals were mixed with water to create large structures in the cave.
Na Yeong Baek created the Mesmerizing Darkness collection as her way of expressing responses to electrical blackouts. The collection used playful silhouettes to create interesting and classy pieces. Most of Na Yeong Baek’s designs were inspired by her time in Myanmar and how she interacted with people as a woman and a foreigner.
About Oxford Fashion Studio:
Oxford Fashion Studio is a platform for independent designers to showcase their talent. Learn more here: https://oxfordfashionstudio.com/about/oxford-fashion-studio
Photos provided by Oxford Studio
