Key facts
- Veronica Leoni has redefined Calvin Klein's aesthetic with a minimalist approach, inspired by Georgia O'Keeffe.
- Michael Kors's latest collection drew inspiration from modernist artists like Alexander Calder, Matisse, and Carmen Herrera.
- Tory Burch's show featured a contrast between a dystopian soundtrack and cheerful clothing, aiming to bring joy.
- Calvin Klein's founder, Calvin Klein, purchased Georgia O'Keeffe's painting 'Summer Days' in 1983.
- Carolyn Bessette-Kennedy, an iconic Calvin Klein employee, was referenced in a slip dress design at the show.
New York Fashion Week saw designers embracing modernist art and a spirit of optimism. At Calvin Klein, creative director Veronica Leoni has steered the brand towards a minimalist aesthetic, focusing on "the discipline of removal" with simple slip dresses, coats, and skirts. Leoni's latest collection drew inspiration from artist Georgia O'Keeffe, whose work Calvin Klein himself admired and collected.
Michael Kors's show at the Museum of Modern Art was themed around modernism, with designs echoing the works of Alexander Calder, Matisse, and Carmen Herrera. Kors admitted to being influenced by a recent Calder retrospective in Paris. The collection featured bold jewelry, dresses with crescent-shaped shoulders, and zigzagged skirts, reflecting an "artsy sensibility" and a departure from last season's glamour.
Tory Burch presented a collection that contrasted a "dystopian" soundtrack from The Shining with cheerful clothing, aiming to provide joy and escapism. Her show included jewel-toned pencil skirts and embellished cardigans with a midcentury sophistication. Kors also reflected on the resilience of New York City, noting its recovery after 9/11.