New York Fashion Week is an exciting time for anyone with an interest in beauty and fashion. Perhaps more so than other cities’ fashion weeks, New York’s particular brand of gritty, offbeat cool seems to invade the designers’ aesthetics, making the New York collections not only beautiful, but wearable. With NYFW’s presentation of designers’ Spring 2015 collections just coming to a close, there are a bevy of new trends to look out for. If you have the taste, but not the budget, here are the top NYFW looks to emulate:
1) No makeup
A lot of designers have requested “no-makeup makeup” looks in the past, but none have gone so far as to actually send their girls out with no makeup. Marc Jacobs made the bold move when he sent models down the catwalk with nothing more than moisturizer on their faces. This look may seem easy, but still requires a bit of work. In order to pull off the no-makeup look, make sure skin is even-toned and hydrated, and that brows are well-groomed and brushed into place.
2) Graphic & floral prints together
Prabal Gurung sent out several dresses comprised of different panels of fabric, half floral half black and white. The dresses were interestingly structured, featuring plenty of architectural straps and cut outs. The key to nailing this look? Keep the black and white part bold (think chunky stripes) and the florals not too girly (some of Gurung’s were gray and blue and looked Japanese-inspired.) Florals for spring? Yes, when worn in this refreshing new way.
3) Neoprene neon
Alexander Wang – always wearable and cool – debuted tight, neon, neoprene-like dresses during his show, in a spectrum of colors from neon yellow and orange to a perfect, almost-teal blue. The dresses are body-con tight and very short, but longsleeved and high-necked so as to not be too-revealing. The pieces are anchored by thick black striping to keep them from being too bright. These looks are clearly inspired by surfing culture and remind me of Proenza Schouler’s standout Spring 2010 collection.
4) Extreme liner
Cushnie et Ochs are relative newcomers on the scene with huge potential and a growing celebrity fanbase. This season, their beauty look perfectly complemented their style, featuring a nearly bare face, the lightest nude pink lip, and big, bold, liner. The shape here was certainly not a delicate wing, but more of an architectural black line, creating an interesting take on the classic liner look and setting off an otherwise neautral face perfectly.
5) Flat shoes
In keeping with the sneaker trend seen on streets – and on campus – everywhere as of late, designers nixed the heels and featured flat shoes (much, I’m sure, to the models’ delight.) The biggest surprise? Victoria Beckham, renowned for her towering heels even during pregnancy, sent out stylish, patterned, pointed-toe brogues.
6) Bright eyes
Peter Som went for a different kind of bold eye look. Also leaving the rest of the face bare, instead of applying traditional liner or highlighter in the inner corners of the eyes, makeup artists at the show drew a small but thick dash of bright orange paint along the lower lash line toward the inner corners. It sounds a bit strange, but really worked to brighten up the models’ faces.
7) Grown-up Gingham
At Altazurra, the pattern commonly associated with children and Dorothy from the Wizard of Oz was given a very grown-up makeover. Gingham – in black, pastel blue, and baby pink – was featured in almost every look. Paired with plunging necklines and thigh-high slitted skirts, the sexy silhouettes made gingham wearable once again for those over the age of ten.
8) Purple eyes & bitten lips
Vera Wang’s makeup look stole the show. Although Wang’s clothes are usually fit for a princess, the grungy makeup look contrasted with the designer’s sweet aesthetic. The look consisted of bare skin free of blush or bronzer, a light pink lip that appeared to be a bit chapped (of course, in an alluring, just-bitten kind of way), and most impressing, a dusty purple lid with a generous application of deep lilac shadow below the eye, as well. Perfect for accentuating—instead of covering up—dark under eye circles.
9) Edgy bobs
Marc Jacob’s always has an inspiring look from head to toe, as was the case with his latest collection. In addition to the completely makeup-free look, models donned super choppy, banged black bobs. The look was messy and undone and a little bit punk. The look was truly transformative: Kendall Jenner, who walked in the show, was nearly unrecognizable in the edgy ‘do.
10) Loose, athletic jackets
Perfect for transitioning into fall are the lightweight, loose anoraks seen at Rag & Bone. In silky fabrics with loose cuts, these coats create an amazing silhouette and are perfect for capricious autumn temperatures that hover between cool and warm. In solids as well as funky prints, and lengths ranging from waist to knee, there’s an option for every outfit.