Just like any other major events,  New York Fashion Week went through some adjustments amidst the global pandemic. The runway presentations ran from September 13 to 16– only four days compared to the usual six-day event.

Fourteen fashion houses had their first ever shows at the recently held NYFW. Each one has its own format of showcasing their Spring 2021 collections– from look books, films to live streams. From minimalist avant-garde styles to colorful sartorial pieces, these are the designers and brands that had their debut appearances at the NYFW S/S21, and we think they deserve our close attention in the coming seasons:

1.AKNVAS

The independent brand is owned by designer Christian Juul Nielsen who was a former creative director for Herve Leger . He also worked under John Galliano. The brand’s RTW Spring 2021 for women is all about color blocking. The pieces are a burst of vibrant colors and stripes imprinted in versatile garments that play on textures and draping. According to Nielsen, the collection is based on his clothing preference, something that he would wear so he decided to upgrade the usual cotton shirting to make it fresh and relevant. 

You may follow ANKVAS on Instagram @aknvas.

2.Frère

Guild Magazine - New York Fashion Week NYFW Spring Summer 2021 - Frere Collection -20

When we think of a spring collection, colorful prints  and bold hues are the usual things that pop in our mind. The house of Frère took a different route by releasing a collection that is mostly dominated by neutral colors and abstract prints.

Designer Davidson Petit-Frère is the mind behind the brand. Before debuting at the NYFW, he’s been quite known in the fashion scene as his pieces were worn by Michael B. Jordan and Jay-Z, to name a few. This season is special for the fashion house because this is the first time that they debuted their womenswear, a contradiction to their specialty that is menswear. Petit-Frère had a different perspective for SS21. The womenswear consisted of tuxedo-inspired pieces in various abstract prints, pastels, and non-vibrant colors. Women wearing menswear has always been a bold yet sleek sartorial choice, so this move is truly a win for the brand.

Images Source: Frère

You may follow Frère on Instagram @frere.

3.Dur Doux

The brand’s designers are a mother-and-daughter duo named Najla Burt and Cynthia Burt.

Dur Doux is a brand that creates affordable yet luxurious pieces. Based in Washington DC, this fashion house incorporates wearable pieces that have a touch of edginess and avante-garde elements. The designers also took inspirations from cultures around the world. For their 2021 Spring/Summer collection named ‘Resort’, the pieces are drawn from tropical landscapes as seen on their prints and ruffled textures. The garments have also a wide range of colors such as khaki, tiffany blue, and magenta which complement one another.

Images Source: Dur Doux

You may follow Dur Doux on Instagram @dur_doux.

4.Wiederhoeft

Former Thom Browne designer Jackson Wiederhoeft has always been fascinated by theatre, dance, and magic. Since he mastered designing women’s runway collections for three years, he already knew the execution of couture garments, especially in avant-garde designs.

For the fashion house’s SS2021 collection named ‘Mother Goose And All Her Silly Little Friends’, Wiederhoeft has outdone himself once again as the editorial pieces are highly creative in their own elements. Inspired by dance and overblown buffoonery, the collection was showcased in the most unusual yet interesting way possible. Rather than debuting it through a live show, it was released via Comic Book which is available at the brand’s website. 

You may Wiederhoeft on Instagram here.

5.Frederick Anderson

The brand’s designer Frederick Anderson always draws inspiration from his love of femininity and strong women, which was highly reflective in his past collections. For his NYFW debut, his capsule collection consisted of pieces that are knitted and hand-crocheted by his team from Argentina. Anderson focused on light colors, while the garments are mostly comfort-looking in the most fashionable way.

You may follow Frederick Anderson on Instagram here.

It is nice to know blossoming creatives in the field of fashion even at such a weird time like this pandemic. This only proves that creativity in fashion still prevails. Even though most of these designers are at home, they still managed to create and conceptualize unique collections that are true to their aesthetic and style identity. Which among of these brands is your favorite? Let us know in the comments!