The first show of the official NYFW calendar was that of Nicholas K. Designers, Nicholas Kunz and Christopher Kunz, in collaboration with IMG Senior Vice President Catherine Bennett did a wonderful pre-show Bill Cunningham tribute with all photographers at the media riser wearing Bill’s signature blue jacket! New York-based artisanal jewelry designer Lisa Linhardt of Linhardt Design teamed up with luxury sportswear brand Nicholas K for its Spring 2017 collection. 
The collaboration highlights the eco-minded nature and dynamic design of both companies and features 55 total pieces, all of which were locally manufactured.Linhardt, named “New York’s Green Jeweler” by New York Magazine, crafts with Certified Recycled metals from select refineries and works solely with responsibly sourced gemstones. The award-winning company is a FairMined gold licensee and the only jewelry business in New York that is a Certified B-Corporation. With environmentally friendly business practices and sustainable materials at the core of the Nicholas K brand, partnership was an instinctive fit.
The schedule was full of surprises! The Desigual Spring 2017 collection paid homage to the ‘Global Traveler’ whose unique reality lies between the urban and virtual jungles. This bold, female pioneer is defined by her fearless attitude, conveyed in her bold individual and creative style. The brand looks to dress its free-spirited muse in looks that are comfortable while accentuating her femininity. Flattering silhouettes in distinct fabric combinations using animal, botanical and ethnic prints were enhanced with crystals and hand-sewn embroidery. The beauty direction was inspired by social media, adopting fun “filters” as a means of artistic expression in a virtual world.
Notable guests included Miss Universe Pia Wurtzbach, Miss USA Deshauna Barber, Miss Teen USA Kamie Crawford, internationally celebrated actresses Paz Vega and Tea Falco, model Kelly Bensimon, TV personalities Andi Dorfman (The Bachelor), Caila Quinn & Sharleen Joynt (Bachelor in Paradise), fashion photographer Nigel Barker, Olympian fencer Miles Chamley-Watson, blogger Helena Bordon, actresses Fatima Ptacek, Tashiana Washington and Clare Foley, actor Eric West, singers SYMON and Kristine Elezaj, and models Jessica Minh Anh and Yovanna Ventura.
Andrew Warren presented his Spring/Summer 2017 collection for his new label ‘Just Drew’ on Thursday evening at the Metropolitan Pavilion Gallery during New York Fashion Week. Guests were escorted into the Pavilion, which had been transformed into an enchanted ‘dream-like’ garden of exotic trees with cotton candy leaves and vines adorned throughout the walls and columns with white mirrors written with ‘Just Drew’ lipstick kisses. They were given cotton candy and pink rosé prior to their first look at the SS’17 collection, which marks the designer’s most evolved creation since the label’s inception in 2013.
The collection portrayed vivid color pallets, alluring butterfly printed silk dresses, body-con bando’s paired with long silk trousers, and exclusive stripe patterns developed in-house, collectively forming the ultimate ideal modern Spring contemporary collection. Hue’s of soft blush pinks mixed with white sheen/metallic layers, and newly developed fabric textures complimented the mastered silhouettes throughout the collection. A true development of youthful, fresh, and innovative pieces that incorporate comfort, versatility, and sex appeal. Various notable attendees were present throughout the course of the evening including; Tiffany Trump, Marla Maples, Reya Benitez, Gaia Matisse, Genevieve Barker, Ambassador Ambroase, and recording artist Justine Skye.
Gen Art took over Spring Studios, kicking off fashion week with a series of shows highlighting young talent. The first show merged fashion and art with a presentation featuring 2 brands – Gen Art’s in-house brand OPENHOUSE, launched earlier this year, and Hong Kong-based brand iiJin which felt so young, bright, and wearable, accessorized with incredible shoes! Gen Art closed the evening with their first ever solo runway show for Fresh Faces in Fashion 2015 winner Daniel Silverstain who debuted 33 looks from his White City Collection.
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