If there’s one thing we love about the New York Fashion Week Spring 2020 edition, it’s definitely the multitude of interesting inspiration sources designers focused on for the new season.
Even more interesting is to find designers who used a similar set of influences and inspirations, but managed to bring completely different accents into the spotlight.
Ancient civilizations and Indian cultures were a particularly interesting starting point for these influential labels:
NYFW Spring 2020: Donna Karan Collection
The sound of tribal drums anticipated the focus of the Donna Karan spring 2020 runway presentation: chic ethnic influences viewed through unique lenses. Africa and India seem to have inspired the designer’s new creations which revolve around soft, versatile nature-inspired tones: terracotta, tan, black, blue or indigo and relaxed shapes like kaftan style gowns, printed skirts and chic tunics and jackets. However, there was one piece the designer focused on in particular: scarves, or more specifically “how to turn the sensuality and ease of a hand-blocked scarf into a chic urban wardrobe of day-into-night options.”View more: Donna Karan Spring 2020 Collection
NYFW Spring 2020: Karen Walker Collection
Indian influences could also be sensed in Karen Walker’s new collection. The designer brought a “mix of traditional Eastern utility with modern urban practicality” and focused on slouchy, cozy pieces with an easily distinguishable utilitarian allure. Key pieces from the new line included baggy pants, anoraks, oversized trench coats and chic sporty pieces. No less interesting were the accessories she included in her new line, patent leather sneakers created in collaboration with BePositive and chic handbags created in collaboration with Benah.View more: Karen Walker Spring 2020 Collection
NYFW Spring 2020: 3.1 Phillip Lim Collection
Nature was also the inspiration behind Phillip Lim’s spring 2020 collection, but here the concept took a completely different approach. Rather than focusing on loose clothing, the designer brought boxy jackets, sharply cut trousers, vests and skirts with a metallic finish and paired his new creations with comfy flat sandals. Occasionally, the designer used abstract patterns in tones inspired by “raw landscapes, terrains, geode formations”. Overall, the designer achieved an interesting balance between his usual versatile offerings and new and exciting trendy accents.View more: 3.1 Phillip Lim Spring 2020 Collection
NYFW Spring 2020: Herve Leger by Max Azria Collection
What inspired the multitude of new Herve Leger bodycon dresses this time? “Different cultural and geological references inspire the collection as seen in ancient tribes and tradition,” according to Lubov Azria. Once again, the label brought sexy ensembles that instantly command attention. It’s definitely hard to believe that the brand’s bandage dresses could get any sexier, however, with the help of tribal prints, beaded embellishments and strategically placed zippers and edgy leather corset belts the designers managed once again to prove their seemingly endless creative resourcefulness.View more: Herve Leger by Max Azria Spring 2020 Collection
NYFW Spring 2020: Zero + Maria Cornejo Collection
Maria Cornejo’s thoughts were also directed towards ancient civilizations and earthiness. The desert seems to have inspired the first looks of her line, which were defined by a minimalistic approach. As the show progressed, however, the palette of options broadened significantly with cool tribal prints and unexpected metallic tones. The color palette didn’t include any vibrant, unexpected tones, revolving around relatively versatile tones.View more: Zero + Maria Cornejo Spring 2020 Collection
Photos: WWD
