Despite ongoing challenges during the pandemic, you have to admire the designers who participated in New York Fashion Week Fall 2021. While the majority produced lookbooks, designers like Jason Wu and Ulla Johnson opted for conventional runway shows (minus audiences). Heavyweights Marc Jacobs, Michael Kors and Ralph Lauren were left off the calendar completely.
Wu kicked things off with a supermarket filled with groceries and flowers. His models showcased fresh midi skirts, fringed coats and knee-high boots. Former Yeezy designer Maisie Wilen had models walking on water sporting an array of neon looks. The Row once again supplied luxury staples. Minimalist brand Co’s Vogue-worthy lookbook featured supermodel Kirsty Hume, while Johnson displayed a superbly constructed collection boasting rich prints.
Click through the slideshow to see all the hits and misses of New York Fashion Week Fall 2021. At least according to our no-holds-barred forum members.
NYFW Fall 2021 Hits and Misses
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HIT: Ulla Johnson
"This is gorgeous." [upNorth]
"Such opulence. The rich prints, beautiful construction and wonderful styling all come together at such a fine, enticing point. I love how wearable these pieces are, too. Those tiered/cascading ruffled dresses will live rent-free in my head for months to come..." [Fulton St Critique]
"Consistently the highlight of NYFW... She's one of the few living designers who knows how to make prints sustainable. It never gets old." [Benn98]
See all the looks from the Ulla Johnson collection.
Image: Imaxtree
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MISS: Anna Sui
"I just cannot take this seriously with that background..." [YohjiAddict]
"Anna Sui has been doing the same collection since 1991. There's no way this brand is profitable or covetable." [Benn98]
See all the looks from the Anna Sui collection.
Image: Imaxtree
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HIT: The Row
"This is mesmerizing!" [Michelle Taylor]
"Still a sucker for The Row. Not going to knock luxe for luxe's sake given the overabundance of merch-driven brands. There are very few brands out there that provide something wearable, comfortable, glamorous, but not overtly sexy." [SophiaVB]
"I know a lot of people dislike Hermes here, but if I had enough money, I would honestly just fill my wardrobe with Hermes and The Row. No logos, no bullshit, no gimmicks, just minimal, high-quality, luxurious clothes..." [dontbeadrag]
See all the looks from The Row collection.
Image: Courtesy
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MISS: Prabal Gurung
"Good luck selling this." [liberty33r1b]
"Prabal hasn't realized that he doesn't have any signature." [perhydrol]
See all the looks from the Prabal Gurung collection.
Image: Imaxtree
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HIT: Badgley Mischka
"It's chic and elegant. The bow and frayed dresses look stunning." [WAVES]
"When you look at it with focus it's actually a stunning collection. The bow evening dresses, the frayed dresses, all the flowy pant looks and the closing look is amazing." [Benn98]
See all the looks from the Badgley Mischka collection.
Image: Courtesy
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MISS: Jason Wu
"I honestly forgot he still existed." [Nomar]
"The flowers are enough to distract my attention, that's how bland this is." [YohjiAddict]
"Always wonder who's checking for a Jason Wu collection. Judging by what I'm seeing here, he'd be better off going into the kitchen tap business. At least he's good at that." [Benn98]
See all the looks from the Jason Wu collection.
Image: Imaxtree
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HIT: Co
"How beautiful, very 90s! I love it." [liberty33r1b]
"Love the model and the presentation." [THD96]
"The photography and choice of model are very effective, looks like a U.S. Vogue editorial..." [YohjiAddict]
See all the looks from the Co collection.
Image: Courtesy
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MISS: Thakoon
"COS does it better." [FashionFanatico]
"I don’t understand this or its added value. It’s below any level. What a flaccid display of a bunch of clothes." [Norden]
"Why even bother? What a lazy collection." [liberty33r1b]
See all the looks from the Thakoon collection.
Image: Courtesy
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MISS: Tadashi Shoji
"I usually like some of Tadashi's stuff, never the full collection... Can't see a single look that tickles my fancy." [Benn98]
"The prom committee really made an effort with the photo booth for the Game of Thrones-themed night..." [YohjiAddict]
"NYFW is where all the Japanese designers that are laughed off in their own country go." [Phuel]
See all the looks from the Tadashi Shoji collection.
Image: Imaxtree
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MISS: Maisie Wilen
"Miu Miu on crack, these types of shirts always make breasts look terrible and grandma-like. The skirts are pulling everywhere, too..." [YohjiAddict]
"All sorts of awful and resembles some underground graduate collection from London Fashion Week. Not for me whatsoever." [vogue28]
See all the looks from the Maisie Wilen collection.
Image: Imaxtree
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MISS: Markarian
"Quite underwhelming considering all the hype surrounding Markarian dressing Jill Biden for the inauguration." [vogue28]
"Very bad calf-length skirts are already hard to pull off and it doesn't help if said skirt is ugly in itself. The magenta brothel curtain adds insult to injury." [YohjiAddict]
See all the looks from the Markarian collection.
Image: Imaxtree
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MISS: Snow Xue Gao
"Paneling should be used to flatter the body not transform you into a fabric catalog." [YohjiAddict]
"On the one hand you have the wannabe Nicolas Ghesquière x Louis Vuitton messy schizophrenic elements, but a genius thought it was clever to pair it with workwear essentials from Zara/H&M." [Benn98]
See all the looks from the Snow Xue Gao collection.
Image: Imaxtree
