New York Fashion Week is all about the top designers showing off their latest styles. But while everyone in the fashion world was keenly watching for emerging trends and fresh faces, Architectural Digest couldn't help but notice the design elements taking some of these shows to the next level. Just as designers are continually pushing the envelope with their ensembles, so too are they raising the bar when it comes to location and ambience. (Example: Nicky Hilton showed off her new shoe collection from her penthouse apartment.) Below, AD rounds up the most eye-catching runways of the season.
1. Savage x Fenty
Like everything Rihanna does, her show this year was nothing short of a spectacle. The performer and designer took over the Barclays Center in Brooklyn and made it a fully immersive experience, complete with dancing and music that brought the design to life. Only a few images from the show were made available (it will air on Amazon Prime later this month), but they revealed a contemporary burlesque-style show, where models stood on white platforms of varying heights amid moody lighting.
2. Ralph Lauren
Although Ralph Lauren is known for his classic style, his presentation on Wall Street this year was anything but boring. He transformed a towering ballroom into a 1920s-style club. There were Art Deco chandeliers, white leather banquettes, and black lacquered floors throughout the space, plus an era-appropriate jazz band.
3. Marc Jacobs
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It was all about negative space for Jacobs, who took over the massive Park Avenue Armory for his show. Spectators sat on plain white chairs in different shapes and sizes, on a honey-colored wood floor. This was a perfect, simple backdrop to show off the colorful creations the models donned on the runway.
4. Tom Ford
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Everyone was buzzing about Tom Ford's show this year, and not only because of his chic designs. He hosted the celeb-packed show (Miley Cyrus attended) in a decommissioned subway station, using the old platform as the runway, with a Bowery and Delancey Street exit sign hanging in the background. Guests gathered on what used to be a train platform to watch models like Gigi Hadid and Kaia Gerber strut their stuff.
5. Tory Burch
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It was a breath of fresh air at the Tory Burch show this season. The designer used the stunning Brooklyn Museum as the backdrop and filled the space with flowers and grass to make for an enchanting garden. It was reportedly created to be a floral tribute to Princess Diana.
6. Collina Strada
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She might not be a household name yet, but designer Hillary Taymour of Collina Strada certainly got some attention this year for her show. She set up a farmers market near a park in New York City and had guests actually take produce from stands while models showed off clothing made from recycled materials. The farmers market theme was meant to focus on her commitment to sustainability.
7. Tommy x Zendaya
To mark his triumphant return to New York Fashion Week, Tommy Hilfiger opted to showcase his Fall 2019 Tommy x Zendaya collection in an iconic location. Working with actress Zendaya, the designer used the famous Apollo Theater as the backdrop. And given its musical history, Hilfiger made sure to have several live performances while the models worked the runway.
