More than 80 women’s brands gathered in New York City’s Spring Studios this week to showcase new designs for Spring/Summer 2020. While some presented bold silhouettes and others debuted eye-catching prints, perhaps the common thread that brought them all together was a commitment to versatility.
Fête Impériale displayed its standout trench dress at the front of its booth to demonstrate the many ways it could be worn: Open as a jacket or closed and belted as a dress. Made with ethically sourced organic cotton, the denim is soft enough to move with the wearer and can be worn alone or paired with a dress or leggings.
Designer Laura Gauthier Petit attributed the focus on versatility to consumers’ dedication to sustainability, and noted that shoppers are more likely to invest in ethically sourced pieces when they can be mixed and matched to create completely different looks.
That was a similar philosophy for 2WN, which showcased a matching set made from bio-wash fabric that featured a high-low skirt that can be pinned in the back for a casual, sporty look. Its matching blazer featured a boxy, cropped fit with one single button and sleeves that hit at the elbow.
Patchwork was another trend displayed throughout the showroom, with CIE Denim touting its trademark upcycling work in the form of reworked jeans made of polo shirts. The end result was a color block pattern reflective of the ’90s, from which designer Kelcie Schofield pulled inspiration.
Rachel Antoff also featured patchwork for Spring/Summer 2020 by way of a striped matching set complete with patches of darker denim reinforced onto the pockets, chest and elbows.
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2WN showcased a pair of multi-tonal jeans with an asymmetrical waist and U-shaped back pockets. The standout piece featured a light wash denim swatch that peeked out at the inseam and stretched just below the knee.
A number of brands displayed an undone look, with frayed accents that draw attention to the wearer’s waist. Fête Impériale captured the look with its carrot pant featuring a paper bag waist defined by frayed edges. An anchor piece, the pants come in acid wash denim, light pink and a soft yellow. CIE Denim incorporated the frayed look with its staple upside-down jeans, featuring a tapered band at the ankle and an undone, frayed waist.
Colors and prints showed no signs of slowing down next year, as brands showcased a variety of finishes that ranged from muted creams and pastels to bold yellows and greens. Finnish fashion company Marimekko profiled its bestselling matching denim set in cream, bright yellow and navy poppy print. Rachel Antoff displayed an array of spring colors, as seen in a pastel mint military-inspired sleeveless jumpsuit and a fuchsia zip-up jumpsuit cinched with a tie at the waistband.
Fête Impériale also displayed a number of pieces in pale pink, yellow and colorful prints, including a sheer floral fabric depicting a Parisian landscape with splashes of green, gray and pink throughout.