nyfw | Ilyssa Cohen Photography

I recently had the opportunity to photograph a runway show on the rooftop of the famous Empire Hotel. (Yes, the one where Chuck Bass lives.) Though, this was far different than your average fashion show. It was an exhibit for Japanese jewelry designer, Ayaka Nishi. Just like her jewelry, the show was more performance art than anything else. The models walked down the runway while being controlled by a woman singing, chanting, and playing the electric violin. There was no true runway, as the crowds just made a moses-esque path for the models to walk through. The attire was all black undergarments, which brought your eyes directly to the jewelry. Ayaka draws inspiration from nature, the human body, and all things organic. It is clear in each piece what natural wonder she has taken inspiration from. The natural unscripted presentation of the runway show flowed harmoniously with the “designs inspired by mother nature.”

The Rebecca Minkoff F/W runway show was the talk of the town on Twitter, Tumblr, and Instagram. Everyone was hashtagging #RebeccaMinkoff to tell others just how excited they were for the show in the days approaching. From the moment people were let into the tent, the twitter, blog, and photo-spheres were unstoppable. The show started with a single spotlight on Brooklyn-bred rapper (a hipsters dream) Theophilus London, performing his single “I Stand Alone.” In that moment, all of the tension exited the tent as the almost 1000 people present remembered how much fun it is to be at a fashion show. This set the tone for the whole show, and couldn’t have been more appropriate, because Rebecca Minkoffs Fall/Winter collection was just that: fun.

Geometric cuts and a chic low contrast pallet set the tone for a collection that was made for a confident and modern woman. All while pops of whimsy presented itself with unexpected color-blocking, animal skins, and colored furs and leathers. Cerulean blues, deep purples, and mustard yellows were that of a 1970s look book, but their juxtaposition with edgy silhouettes made these colors brand new.

The models lined the runway with a fearless walk. Their hair was flowy and loose, and done up with a confidently chic side part. Celebrities J. Alexander, Abigail Breslin, Robert Verdi, Sami Gayle, Olivia Palermo, Nikki Reed, and Kristin Chenoweth all sat front and center to check out the colored snake skins and painterly purple patterns.

Surprising texture and pattern combinations made for a very exciting show. The audience clearly couldn’t wait for the next look to come out. Kristin Chenoweth and Nikki Reed could barely sit still they were loving it so much. A shiny oversized green blazer paired with a mustard yellow clutch, and a short brown trench coat with yellow snake skin sleeves paired with primary blue were two of the standout pieces.

As a whole, the collection was a beautiful struggle between masculine and feminine, retro and modern, prim and casual. The show ended with Rebecca Minkoff walking onto the runway arm in arm with Theophilus London, and the audience cheered for a collection that is cohesive and imaginative. The individual pieces are incredibly versatile. The leather bags that finished each look will certainly be coveted in the upcoming season. Fur, leather, and color-blocking are certainly not going away, as proved by Rebecca Minkoff this season. Even in the winter we won’t be afraid to pair a yellow with a blue. Especially during Fashion Week, Fashion can be stressful, dramatic, and tense, but it is, after all, fun for all of us, and now we remember why.