Day 3 was my lightest day and it was so nice to have a reprieve. When you’re running, running, running, a break in the madness is imperative (if you can get that lucky). You actually get to eat! And sleep in. And have time for more than one coffee. To think!
I wore a cape dress by designer Tiko Paksa and its voluminous silhouette was SO comfortable. It completely fit with the relaxed ease of the day but was still so fashion forward. The talent coming out of Eastern Europe is so good you guys.
Cong Tri
At this point in my NYFW experience, I try to be very strategic about the shows I attend. Gone are the days of running myself ragged trying to fit in as many shows as I can. I like to think I’m a little older and (maybe) a little wiser, so I really try to reserve the week for my favorite designers.
That said, I always attend one show I’ve never been to before. It’s important to me to keep my finger on the pulse of an industry I deeply care about. I always choose an emerging designer – I love seeing what talent is on the rise. This season it was Cong Tri.
The great thing about going into a show you’ve never seen before is that you have a truly unbiased opinion. I don’t go in expecting anything and that allows my sartorial palette to start clean. Baseline = zero.
When the first model descended Cong Tri’s runway, my attention peaked. As the second, third and fourth models appeared, my brain seemed only capable of formulating, “Oh, okay!”
This designer gets it. This designer understands construction. This designer presented a mood.
In a swath of jewel tones, Tri sent look after glorious look down the runway. The fabrics he used were not only complex to work with, but extremely varied. One minute it was floating silk chiffon that enveloped the model in a cloud, another it was structured taffeta bursting into voluminous shoulders and gigantic bows. Several gowns were hand beaded with the finest execution and don’t even get me started on his feathered finale looks. So delicate yet so bold!
This collection is meant for the red carpet. But Tri didn’t stop at just gowns. He sent separates down the runway too – blazers, bralets, wide-leg trousers and slip dresses perfect for a night out.
While I’m no Cathy Horyn, my only critique is that I thought his SS20 collection could have been edited slightly. I saw some repetition in his looks that I thought could be tightened up, but overall, he knocked it out of the park.
Stay on the lookout for Cong Tri. I have a feeling we’ll be hearing a lot more about him.
Sandy Liang
I fell in love with Sandy Liang’s designs about 3 years ago. The piece that hooked me was a fleece jacket. At 28 years old, her line is already 5 years old, but SS20 was her first NYFW runway show.
Her vibe is 90s comfort dressing – nothing stuffy or too serious here. I love how she ingeniously mixes childlike nostalgia with fashionable outdoorsy gear. That almost doesn’t make any sense, but trust me when you see it on the runway, it does. Think of it as REI, but make it fashion.
For SS20, she showed gingham, airy chiffon and of course her signature jackets. The patchwork fleece accented with baby blue cuffs looked so cozy and chic. I adored the gathered garter-belt tops. They were playful yet edgy and looked so wearable.
The styling was on point too. The early 60’s beehive-esque ‘dos topped with 90’s babydoll bows was a fabulous mashup. It furthered heightened the girlie yet chic vibe Sandy Liang is known for.
Like Cong Tri, keep your eye on Sandy Liang too. I loved this NYFW diary interview she gave to the NY Times.
After Sandy Liang, I made my way over to Chelsea to visit a friend for coffee. On the way there, I made a random stop in a wig shop and had so much fun playing around with different styles. Like fashion week, it was a chance to lose myself in a different look, a different vibe. Should I go blonde? Curly? What about my dream hair (lavender)?
Anything is possible at NYFW.
ICYMI: check out my NYFW SS20 Day 1 and Day 2 show recaps!