Edie & Nico. Zankov AW25

February 17, 2025February 16, 2025 | Design & Culture by Ed

A great autumn-winter 2025 lookbook was delivered by Henry Zankov. This designer knows what he’s doing with his knitwear-focused label. Inspired by Nico and Edie Sedgwick, the 1960s New York it-girls and Warhol Factory stars, he came up with a fresh interpretation of their style that doesn’t feel too mood-boardy. Oversized paillettes on a sweater or a skirt peeking out from beneath fuzzy coats were reminiscent of the sequins Sedgwick might have picked up from Paraphernalia. The absolutely brilliant combination of a vividly hued sweater and boyish lanky pants was pure Nico, 2025 version. But what’s most important, this Zankov collection feels wholeheartedly joyful, honest – and believable. It makes me think of Consuelo Castiglioni’s Marni, in the best possible way.

ED’s SELECTION:

Zankov Raven Merino Wool-jacquard Turtleneck Sweater

Zankov Delphine Brushed-knit Skirt

Zankov Mina Sequined Wool Cropped Cardigan

Zankov Lune Two-Tone Sleeveless Maxi Wool Dress

Zankov Marshall Abstract Pencil Merino Wool Maxi Skirt

Zankov Alicja Tow-Tone Wool Scarf

Collage by Edward Kanarecki.
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Essence. Proenza Schouler AW25

February 16, 2025 | Design & Culture by Ed

Everyone wondered how will Lazaro Hernandez and Jack McColough mark their (still puzzling) departure from Proenza Schouler. They did with a beautiful, winter-y, yet sun-drenched lookbook photographed at Manitoga/The Russel Wright Design Center, featuring the ultimate Proenza girls. Binx Walton is wearing a lime-green pleated toga-dress while snow is melting in the background. Julia Nobis looks like the ultimate New York woman in a grey checked blazer, pin-striped shirt and over-sized corduroy balloon-pants. Mica Arganaraz emanates quirky cool in cowl neck dress. In their finale (co-directed with Lisa Muscatel, the long-time head of the design studio), Hernandez and McColough sublimate their signifiers and show us what Proenza Schouler really is in contemporary fashion (that wasn’t always the case with their recent work).

But what’s the future of the brand? Time (and its new CEO, Shira Suveyke Snyder) will tell.

ED’s SELECTION:

Sorel x Proenza Schouler Leather Rubber Chelsea Booties

Proenza Schouler Ruched Jersey-crepe Halterneck Maxi Dress

Proenza Schouler Intarsia Wool Sweater

Proenza Schouler Track Paneled Suede-trimmed Leather Sneakers

Proenza Schouler Arlo Shearling Jacket

Collage by Edward Kanarecki.
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Reclaiming. Luar AW25

February 12, 2025 | Design & Culture by Ed

Luar closed New York Fashion Week with a much-needed bang. Raul Lopez named his autumn-winter 2025 collection “Pato“. In Spanish, pato means duck, as in the bird, but in some parts of Latin America, such as Puerto Rico, it’s a homophobic slur. “I wanted to reclaim that word,” said Lopez. “Especially right now – I’m not going back in the closet for no one.” That powerful bravado was conveyed in a collection that was a powerful, dynamic homage to all the fashion patos that shaped Lopez’s imagination as a kid: think John Galliano, Jean Paul Gaultier and Christian Lacroix. You could also sense Claude Montana’s influence. Major 1980s energy was all over these big shoulders, attitude-giving tailoring and extravagant feather brooches. A plastic, tape-like texture was a recurring motif. “It’s all hodgepodge,” Lopez explained. “The gay boy who’s at home playing with his mom’s jewelry, wrapping a towel around his head to pretend it’s hair, wants to wear a thigh high boot but just wraps a bunch of duct tape around his legs.” This week, fashion in New York had no voice. Until Lopez arrived with his vivacious outing.

Collage by Edward Kanarecki.
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Femininity Anew. Tory Burch AW25

February 11, 2025 | Design & Culture by Ed

Tory Burch is on a roll again. Here’s one of the most convincing collections we’ve seen during this entire New York Fashion Week, one that doesn’t try to be reinvent minimalism, but offers a mindful outlook on femininity. From the playful cardigans that can be wrapped around your body to velvet pea-green trackpants, from utilitarian leather jackets with pockets inspired by an Ingo Maurer wall organizer to unashamedly full, 1950s-isnpired flared wool skirts, this collection satisfies the mind and senses. The line-up doesn’t feel like an afterthought. Moreover, it doesn’t look like a copy of a copy. It’s Tory. The new Tory we have the pleasure to see thrive lately.

Collage by Edward Kanarecki.
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Mysterious Woman. Khaite AW25

February 10, 2025 | Design & Culture by Ed

At Khaite, Catherine Holstein offered a clearer stance on who her woman is (which wasn’t the case last season) – although her runway was dark and dimmed, as usual. Some things just don’t change. But at least for autumn-winter 2025, her ideas had shape and texture. Inspired by the enigmatic, elusive world of David Lynch and his mysterious heroines, Holstein clashed masculine notions with feminine sense for drama. All the leather and leopard-spot pony skin looked believable, just like the draped sheaths layered over shirts. In a way, Khaite isn’t about fashion novelty, but easy-to-digest styling and a sense of (fleeting) cool. This collection will certainly end up on the moodboards of many high-street brands in the upcoming months, from COS to Mango. And that’s not a bad thing.