NYFW Day 1: Let the games begin!
I share my experiences from several pre-NYFW events and explore important questions, such as: What is the current state of New York Fashion Week?
Get ready to see more of me in your inbox this fashion month! Each day of NYFW and PFW, I'll be sharing updates on the shows and events I'm attending, insider insights from my peers, the things catching my eye, and of course, what I’m wearing. While I won’t be traveling to LFW or MFW this year, I’ll still be covering those shows in my regular posts, which will go out on Thursday or Friday and Sunday.
At the end of each week, I’ll send out a special “pulse check” newsletter, sharing my personal reflections, highlights, misses, and predictions on where the season is headed. Those letters will be available exclusively for paid subscribers. If you don’t want to miss my insider takes, consider upgrading your membership! I've extended the promotion through the 8th, so you can snag an annual membership for 20% off. Normally $60, it's now just $48 with the discount.
Let me know what else you'd love to see this season!
Technically, NYFW kicks off today, but it unofficially started on Tuesday with Harlem’s Fashion Row, followed by Proenza Schouler (which, to be honest, wasn’t their strongest showing, imo). The outerwear, shoes, and bags stood out to me, but perhaps that’s because they echoed last season’s highlights. I spoke with someone who remarked that the recent collections have been leaning very Helmut Lang, and while they meant it critically, I found the minimalism and, dare I say, “Helmut Lang-isms” to be quite refreshing.
Ralph Lauren SS25
Then there was Ralph Lauren’s show yesterday in the Hamptons which I could honestly describe as a joyful collection. True to form, Ralph delivered a presentation that felt entirely cinematic. Watching the show, it seemed more like observing a cast of Hamptonites leisurely mingling than models strutting down the runway. I also felt quite validated in my choice to pack a number of white clothes for NYFW, after seeing how much white, off-white, cream, and eggshell walked the runway. In fact, I now have slim white cargos in my cart, which I’m eyeing as my post-NYFW treat!
I’ll save a deeper analysis for Thursday’s letter—so stay tuned!
What I will say is that as I step into not just this week, but this entire fashion month, my mind is buzzing with questions: "Did Chemena Kamali signal the end of 'quiet luxury'?" "Who will take over Chanel? Can Chanel thrive without a visionary designer at the helm?" And perhaps the biggest question of all—what is the future of NYFW?
While I understand the critiques, I still believe NYFW holds immense value. American fashion has played a pivotal role in shaping the industry, transforming how people dress worldwide. What excites me most about NYFW is the young, innovative talent bubbling up—designers like Christopher John Rogers, Grace Ling, Tanner Fletcher. Zankov, Rachel Scott of Diotima, Raul Lopez of Laur, and Kate Hundley, to name a few. And though Willy Chavarria may not identify as "young talent" (after all, age is just a number—maybe he sees himself as forever young!), he is leading a small brand with a massive impact. Willy’s fresh take on menswear makes wearing a suit feel sexy and anything but intimidating.
You’ve probably come across countless pieces either dismissing or defending NYFW, and maybe it’s the looming election or Nancy MacDonell’s Empresses of Seventh Avenue that’s coloring my thoughts, but as I enter this week, I can’t help but feel like the conversation around NYFW is about more than just fashion or American style. Beneath it all, the real question seems to be: What does it mean to be American right now?
Sept. 4
As soon as I got off the train, I headed straight uptown to the Still Here store on Madison Ave to check out their latest fall collection. I was immediately drawn to the camo versions of their Subway and Everyday pants, and I especially loved the new colorway of their Childhood pant—a high-waisted, classic mom jean that’s become a personal favorite. I also had the chance to feel and try on their suede pieces, and they were a dream! While I love the idea of suede pants, I gravitated more toward the suede shirt. I just feel a bit too... let’s say, clumsy, to be trusted with suede pants.
I left with the camo Subway pants, after a lovely shopper patiently helped me decide between a few options. She even convinced that I need the Still Here tee in black ( I have it in the blue color!), which pairs perfectly with the camo pants.
From Still Here, I jetted back downtown to pick out a few pieces from J’evar that they are so kindly letting me borrow for fashion week. I discovered this brand when I first met Heath Wagoner (the maker of those really amazing cocktail picks and bolo ties) at a store opening, and I was transfixed by a diamond pendant that’s coming out soon:)
Seeing these pieces firsthand felt like a deeper education in the potential of lab-grown diamonds. But more importantly, it reinforced something the At Present team and I often discuss—and that’s at the core of what they stand for: buying jewelry is, above all, about the emotional connection you form with a piece. For so long, we’ve been told that jewelry marks a specific life event or is something you "earn" at a certain age (think Holly Golightly’s famous line about women not wearing diamonds until they're 40). But in today’s world, those outdated ideas no longer apply. So why wait to buy diamonds?
From J’evar I went home, freshened up, and changed into my evening looking for the ShopMy dinner, and I got to see little ol’ me on a billboard!
I ended the night celebrating
’s book launch at the Public hotel! Congratulations Kristen!Sept. 5
Yesterday was very much the calm before the storm I only had three things to do, well four if you count the special project I worked on that you all will find out more about soon!
I went to
trunk show that featured most of the brands she’s talked about in her designer dossier series, and brands that I have mentioned numerous times in this newsletter: Don’t Let Disco, Underwater Weaving, Gigi Burris, Renato Cipullo, to name a few!I left the event with a new necklace and maybe placing an order for one of those Underwater Weaving basket clutches!
I also left with a great goodie bag with some notable items being the Kate McLeod Daily Stone (which I have been dying to try), Dr. Diamond’s Metacine Plasma (which I love), U Beauty Lip Compound (which I have talked about as well!), and a Victoria Beckham perfume samples ( I think Victoria Beckham perfume is actually a sleeper hit, and I am head over heels in love with Suite 302 which is this very musky citrus scent, and I will report back on the others).
After Jess’s I went down to see the latest from Agmes, and I feel that lapis is having a moment. At least in my heart and mind, it’s the stone I find myself wanting the most and reaching for the most in my collection, and I fell in love with all their cuff variations.
After that, I headed home to recharge before going back out for the Nili Lotan men's store opening. I first became familiar with the brand at Saks, where buying the Shon pants was almost a rite of passage. While I never purchased them myself, I could definitely appreciate the appeal. Nili’s clothes, to me, are the perfect foundational pieces—those effortless items you can throw on when you're rushing out the door but still want to look polished and put together. She launched her menswear line about a year or two ago, and what I love most is how many of the pieces reflect elements from her women's collections. You can really see a cohesive thread between both lines.
After the store opening, I decided to call it an early night, grabbed some soup, and headed home—because, honestly, Friday might just be the death of me! Haha.
See you all tomorrow!
I may earn some commission if you make a purchase through one of the links above.
Follow me on Instagram here!
You know you’ve made it when you’re on a freaking billboard, Jalil!💕 Loved your insider scoop, thank you!
🤍🤍🤍🤍