Runway Report: Romanticism, refinement, and a renewed energy & style abound at New York Fashion Week

New York Fashion Week Spring/Summer 2025 hit the city with renewed energy and style, despite the growing allure of Milan and Paris. This season, the weeklong event timed with the U.S. Open, drawing a star-studded crowd to both the courts and the front rows. As Manhattan continues to cement itself as a fashion hotspot, it’s the perfect stage for both emerging talents and established designers to present their must-have pieces for the 2025 Spring/ Summer season. Here are our picks from the best of this year’s NYFW runway. 

Spring 2025 Read-To-Wear
Alaïa

Showing for the first time in New York, Alaïa’s Pieter Mulier redefined the fashion runway by transforming the Guggenheim Museum’s rotunda into a living, breathing fashion installation. Models cascaded down the iconic spiral staircase, their clothes mirroring the building’s curves in a way that felt both revolutionary and strangely perfect.


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This show was more than its iconic location, though. Mulier embraced self-imposed limitations— no buttons, no zips — to craft a collection that celebrated the female form through innovative draping, cinching, and stretch fabrics. It’s a testament to Alaïa’s spirit of pushing boundaries, a spirit that founder Azzedine Alaïa instilled and Mulier masterfully carries forward. This wasn’t just a fashion show, it was a glimpse into the future of couture, where heritage meets innovation in a breathtaking display of artistry. Azzedine would be proud.

Shop Alaïa at Net-a-Porter

Spring 2025 Read-To-Wear
Tibi

Tibi’s show was a masterclass in effortless chic. Think wardrobe staples — tunics, button-ups — but with a playful twist. Oversized pockets morph into pleats, collars get a subtle elongation, and suddenly that basic tee feels anything but. Loose trousers, knotted skirts, and the occasional backwards blouse. Tibi reminds us interesting fashion doesn’t have to be loud. It’s in the details —  a misplaced belt loop here, a sharp collar pop there — that make the everyday feel extraordinary. This is fashion with a twist that proves clever details and unexpected styling are all you need to make a statement.

Shop Tibi at Muse

Spring 2025 Read-To-Wear
Khaite

Stepping out from the shadows, Khaite’s Catherine Holstein ditched her well-established ‘cool girl’ moniker this season, taking Khaite on a journey of warmth and refinement. Inspired by her recent role as a mother, the collection offered a softer, more intimate side to the brand. Think flowy organza pants, scarf dresses, and modern tunics — an obvious departure from Khaite’s early signature edge.

Holstein experimented with contrasting elements —  soft vs. structured, light vs. dark. Khaite SS25 is a bold exploration of new territory, showcasing Holstein’s commitment to the growth of the brand. The artisanal touches and textural play hint at an exciting future for the brand, capturing a designer in motion. Holstein’s clearly testing the waters, redefining Khaite’s identity while staying true to its core. 

Shop Khaite at Muse

Spring 2025 Read-To-Wear
Ulla Johnson

Back with another season that’s big on colour and female empowerment. This time, the inspiration comes from abstract expressionist Lee Krasner (who happened to be married to artist Jackson Pollock) informed much of the collection, from print to colour to fabrication with bold prints and a nature-inspired palette echoing her work.

But Johnson’s not just channelling art history. Her signature boho chic gets a refresh with new fabrics and techniques, plus a wider range of silhouettes. Think breezy separates with a utilitarian edge alongside flowy dresses and statement eveningwear.

This collection is a love letter to powerful women, both past and present. Carrie Johnson is proving that fashion can be beautiful, functional, and a platform for positive change —  all at the same time.

Shop Ulla Johnson at Muse

Spring 2025 Read-To-Wear
Proenza Schouler

Proenza Schouler kicked off New York Fashion Week with a thoughtful whisper, not a roar. In an intimate setting, the collection felt like a fresh chapter —  a return to the brand’s DNA with a touch of new energy. Think familiar codes reimagined — strong stripes meet fluid fringes, and structure dances with ease.

Luxury might be facing a wobble, but Proenza Schouler has a plan. They’re ditching quiet luxury for something more personal, more connected. “We don’t need another black suit,” they said, and it shows. Bold colours, and intricate details — these clothes are about feeling, not just looking good.

This collection is a confident step forward. It’s an evolution, not a drastic change. Familiar elements get a refresh, with a focus on craftsmanship and pieces that resonate on an emotional level. Proenza Schouler reminds us that fashion, at its best, sparks desire and connection.

Shop Proenza Schouler at Muse

Spring 2025 Read-To-Wear
Coach

Stuart Vevers’ Spring 2025 collection for Coach struck a vibrant chord between playful and profound. Infused with the spirit of youth subcultures rediscovering past trends, this collection transformed nostalgic inspirations into fresh, wearable art. Denim pants, moto skirts, and aviator jackets crafted from post-consumer fabrics were paired with distressed knitwear and quirky sneakers. T-shirts echoed punk doodles, while pinstripe overcoats and leather blazers gave off a thrift-shop vibe. Dresses and ball caps offered casual polish. While some pieces might feel familiar from vintage shops, Coach’s bold accessories added a unique twist, elevating the every day with a dose of distinctiveness.

Shop Coach at Coach

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