PRISCAVera
Lending itself to the trend that’s emerged in most Spring 2019 shows, Priscavera’s fabric choices were opalescent: glossy satins, pastel metallics, and lustrous lames. Prisca is the designer’s name, and aside from designing, she’s walked runways as well. Her color choice for this collection was playful and child-like while the silhouette dainty and sensuous at the same time.
Barragan
Pushing the boundaries of what’s bizarre in fashion, Barragan always delivers a mind-stirring compilation of looks. Fronted by Mexican designer Victor Barragán, the brand draws inspiration from his industrial design degree. For spring, he was inspired by clay, and models wore fabrics reminiscent of the material. The show took place in the unusual location of discount megastore Century 21, which only reinforced the eerie mindset of the underground brand.
Vaquera
Vaquera’s inspiration for Spring was a “haunted 80s high school.” The clothes included school paraphernalia: cheerleading pleats, pom poms, and a toga plus cap combo were a few of the items featured. The design trio behind the brand Patric DiCaprio, Claire Sully, and Bryn Taubensee, have a penchant for casting real people as models, which compliments the brand’s artistic and cultured approach.
LRS
Recycled materials such as flattened cans were the details prevalent in LRS’ Spring collection. Royal blues, intense purples, sunny oranges, hot pinks, mixed with pistachio greens and lavenders completed the color palette. The collection focused on the unusual placement of modern cut-outs and streetwear pieces like pocketed cargo pants and “wifebeater” tanks. Raul Solis, the designer behind LRS started at Proenza Schouler, and his designs are already in stores like Opening Ceremony and Assembly New York.
Gypsy Sport
Gypsy Sport recruited Lourdes Leon, Madonna’s teenage daughter, for their Spring 2019 presentation. The look she wore summarizes the mood: young, breezy, eccentrically slashed denim, bare chests, and atypical silhouettes. The designer is a VFILES 2013 runway winner who started making shirts and hats in his Harlem apartment. After exposing his designs on Tumblr, DKNY reached out in regards to his hats for their Spring 2013 show, and nothing was the same again for Rio Uribe.
Christopher Lowman
Glorious Olympics was the title of Christopher Lowman’s Spring 2019 presentation. Combining streetwear and sporty details on jackets, pullovers, and tracksuits, the clothes are meant to evoke a sporty mood. Lowman started his career with an internship at Pyer Moss. His newest collection reflects the utilitarian approach of his apprenticeship years.
LUAR
For Spring, Luar’s designer chose a combination of white and ivory, the only two colors sent down the runway. Celestial headpieces, also in white, elevated the slashes and asymmetrical details of the corsets, blazers, and dresses shown. Luar is a backward ode to the designer’s name, Raul, who is also the former co-founder of Hood by Air. He draws inspiration from his Dominican roots and the disparate street style of New York City.
Laurence & Chico
Design duo and couple Laurence and Chico kicked off their first-ever runway with a vogueing party including Miss Jay Alexander and social media influencer Chauncey Dominique. Making a fun statement in 10-inch heels and flowy gowns, the collection spoke sporty and Avant-garde, an oxymoron that works.
Romeo Hunte
Utilitarian was the keyword in Romeo Hunte’s Spring 2019 show. Every look graced pockets, zippers and stretchy fabrics meant for moving and swimming. The collection was marked by practical outerwear and stretchy knits. Hunte launched his fashion career as a retail personal shopper. His designs were first picked up by Net-a-porter, and celebrities such as Zendaya and Beyoncé first put him in the spotlight.
Namilia
Making a pop culture statement, Namilia recruited Paris Hilton and Teyana Taylor to close and open their Spring 2019 show. Inspired by feminism and religion, Namilias mantra for Spring was to worship women, giving away posters to the attendees that read, “In Namilia’s name we pray, Awomen.” The clothes referenced heaven and hell; models sported angel and devil wings as accessories, reinforced the streetwear and ethereal pieces.