Bold Designs and Immersive Showcases Redefine New York Fashion Week
New York Fashion Week is a biannual event where brands present and display their collections through a series of runway shows that take place in February and September to showcase the next season's designs for brands all over the world. Traditionally, these displays consist of a runway presentation with a silent audience and are considered very formal events.
There is no room during the show for viewer interaction or expression. During this year’s New York Fashion Week, Alice and Olivia showcased their new spring collection in a very different and immersive way. The brand had a new take on what defines a “proper” fashion show, resulting in a very enticing and interactive experience.
The Alice and Olivia show consisted of six smaller displays and one large one, each with a unique theme. Models dressed according to their assigned theme interacted with guests as they mingled around the event. Attending the show were Riverdale's own Charlie Epstein (10) and Ava Loeb (10) who are both interested in the fashion world and were willing to share their opinions and experiences during the event. Loeb explained, after conversing with Epstein, that the show was more “unexpected and engaging” compared to the other more “traditional” runway show they had attended. Epstein expressed how the show was “excellent for networking” as they were free to walk around and talk to anyone. Loeb and Epstein also noticed that the unconventional show attracted a younger crowd. When asked if they preferred the format of the Alice and Olivia show more, Epstein explained that, “it depends on whether you like the designer because they were both unique and creative. The shows made you feel special, so it's hard to choose which was better.”
Just like the unique design of their fashion show, Alice and Olivia’s spring collection consisted of lots of sequins, yellows, reds, and other stand-out pieces that are sure to gain popularity in these coming months. Because the show had seven different stations, the brand was able to touch on many different aspects of their new collection instead of just having one theme throughout all of the looks. The design of the stations were set up so that the outfits of the models matched with the environment they were being presented in. The captivating experience of each station stuck with Epstein and she remarks that “they were complete opposites…they stood out in their own way.” This arrangement is different from a runway show where there is normally one theme that runs throughout the entire collection. The creator of Alice and Olivia, Stacey Bendet, explored a multifaceted way to present fashion that expanded the boundaries of conventional New York Fashion Week.
Nowadays, fashion brands need to make bold and outside of the box choices in order to stand out in the industry. Proven by Loeb and Epstein, you do not need to be a fashion expert to be able to appreciate Bendet’s strategy for the Spring 2024 show. The encouragement of socialization and networking to occur during the show, caused the brand to gain more attention in the media and popularity among influencers who were able to share photos of the collection. Similar to Coperni’s spray on dress, Alice and Olivia’s show left its mark, emphasizing how they are a fashion force to be reckoned with.
