Two thousand origami birds hung above Thom Browne’s runway—fluttery and poetic, but don’t be fooled. The show kicked off with two models in head-to-toe gray, folding more birds at a table in the middle of the set. For a second, I thought we were getting a subdued, monochrome Thom moment. NOPE. Turns out this was one of his most colorful collections in ages—think candy-hued bird motifs and specially woven heritage tweeds bursting with life.
If New York Fashion Week felt a little meh this season, blame Jack McCollough and Lazaro Hernandez. The Proenza Schouler co-founders exited the brand just three weeks before their usual fall show—leaving us all hanging. Rumor has it they’re headed to a European label (cue wild speculation), but in the meantime, the show must go on for the American house they launched 22 years ago.
On a snowy February night on the Upper East Side, the historic James B. Duke House was practically glowing pink. Outside, a woman in a giant bow (of course) leaned into a security guard, wide-eyed. “This the line for expedited passes?” He nodded. She looked down the street like she just realized she wasn’t the only one who wanted to play dress-up tonight.
In a classic LaQuan Smith curveball, his fall 2025 runway show was scrapped last minute—replaced by a more intimate setup at his Long Island City studio. There, he invited clients and buyers to cozy up to the collection (literally and figuratively). And while he promised more star-studded, fashion-meets-nightclub affairs in the future, this season was all about dialing in. “I needed to focus on the business—on the collection, the market,” Smith said. “I’m doing something a little different right now.” Different vibe? Sure. But the collection? Still 100% LaQuan: sexy, bold, and just the right amount of dangerous.
