The bi-annual New York Fashion Week, created in 1993 by the Council of Fashion Designers of America, always has a high-wattage runway schedule with fashion collections shown to the buyers, the fashion media and others on the coveted guest list. For SS24, luxury brands and established fashion designers such as Ralph Lauren and Michael Kors were the most sought-after showings while emerging talent proved why they have potential to make it big. Take a look at some of the highlights and pleasant surprises from NYFW SS24.

Ralph Lauren

Ralph Lauren SS24 on 8 September 2023 was a much-awaited showing at New York Fashion Week as the last time Ralph Lauren was on the NYFW calendar was in September 2019. So it wasn’t surprising that his front row was graced by luminaries like Diane Keaton and Jennifer Lopez even though it was held in a warehouse near Brooklyn Navy Yard. The showing began with denim, at times lined with chiffon and tulle, at times embroidered with sequins and beads. From there, the vibe changed to a series of black and gold looks like cocktail dresses, military jackets and silk pants. Supermodel Christy Turlington closed the show a stunning gold lamé one-shoulder gown which is sure to be seem on red carpets worldwide.

“My Spring 2024 women’s Collection is about a new kind of romance—cool and sophisticated. It’s about the freedom of creating a personal style through the artistry of faded denims and painterly florals, the modern sophistication of timeless icons reimagined in black and gold, or the eclectic mix of bold colors, shine, and luxurious handcrafted details” posted Ralph Lauren on his official Youtube account. “These are the stories of the woman I design for, whose individuality and artistic spirit are a canvas for her own self-expression.”

Prabal Gurung

Born in Singapore and raised in Kathmandu.. New York-based Nepalese-American fashion designer Prabal Gurung began his fashion education at the National Institute of Fashion Technology in New Delhi, India before moving to New York to enhance his education at Parsons The New School for Design. His diverse fashion education, travel and precious memories are evident in all his collections including Spring Summer 2024 showcased at Roosevelt Island. We loved the dhoti pants, fringed outerwear and one-shoulder metallic evening gowns!

Michael Kors

Only Michael Kors could transform Brooklyn’s Domino Park into a seaside promenade with luminaries Blake Lively and Halle Berry in attendance. It was the fashion brand’s first show since the announcement that Michael Kor’s holding company holding company Capri would be purchased by Tapestry Inc so there was a frisson of excitement among fashion retailers and editors. Models showcased lightweight summer outfits delicately embroidered with lace. The looks were perfect for an evening in Capri: a mini-skirt and blouse set, short dresses, and pants worn with short tops. Feeling a li’l chilly? A cashmere sweater stopped just short of bare knees. Accessorised with flat sandals and artisanal, hand-woven wicker basket bags.. it’s the perfect summer holiday wardrobe.

Elena Valez

Of course no fashion week is complete without a touch of theatrics. Born and bed in Milwaukee, Wisconsin NY-based fashion designer and artist Elena Velez had her models showcase the SS24 collection on a mud pit runway inside a Williamsburg warehouse! The catwalk show was perfect until the final walk was complete…  and suddenly the models playfully dragged each other in the sludge of mud!! It was an all-out mud fight! Per Vogue “she let her press notes do the talking. ‘Where are our antiheroines?’ she asked, adding that the collection, titled ‘The Longhouse’, was a ‘ritualistic catharsis to the coddling, histrionic, and moralistic ills of oversocialization.'”