Nuthin’ But a “K” Thing
They say troubled times make for great art, and maybe that’s what drove such a spectacular collection, and show, from the Nicholas K team for FW17.
As is tradition, Mother Nature — jealous that she cannot attend the shows — came gate-crashing with her most powerful blow at the start of New York Fashion Week. A bone-chilling blizzard descended upon New York as all fashion professionals prepped for Day 1.
Fortunately, another Day 1 tradition is Nicholas K’s show, which always kicks off the season, and the design duo’s runway immediately turned up the heat, with an uncharacteristic show of warmer color, layering, and exquisite draping, creating one of NK’s most inspired collections in recent memory.
Nicholas K FW17
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Also on fire was an extraordinary, thought-provoking track by Rob Swift and Latasha Alcinor (where can we buy this track?), that spoke directly to some of the angst and anguish of the current era, where it feel like gains in equality and social justice have taken a big step back in a somewhat perverse turn of political events.
Also on fire was an extraordinary, thought-provoking track by Rob Swift and Latasha Alcinor.
As the team said themselves: “The 90s was a decade promising communal diversity and unity. This decade was also the golden age of hip hop. … Experimentalism became celebration of diverse widespread cultural acceptance. The late ’90s … brought the promise of a global humanitarian community. Recent events seem to unravel this progress and it’s now relevant to revisit the promise of the 90s.”
The late ’90s … brought the promise of a global humanitarian community.
Nicholas K — a collaboration of Christopher Kunz and Nicholas Kunz — is traditionally filled with neutrals and a very minimalist aesthetic: their own brand of “urban nomad chic.”
But from the moment the hard 808 first hit the air — and look appeared on the runway — this was a new Nicholas K, leather tams replacing Kangol hats, with beautiful winter coats that were chic while still creating a rugged RTW proposition. From start to finish, the brand played with fresh color and fabric combinations, enhanced by jewelry from K/LLER.
This was a new Nicholas K.
A beautiful play of velour, with an exaggerated copper color palette, made for elegance while still being sporty. The collection was extremely cohesive yet very diversified.
In short, they nailed it. Some pieces within the collection may not be for everyone; however, I would challenge anyone to not find at least 5-10 pieces from the collection they do not love.
In short, they nailed it.
The intention, vibe, and mastery of form were a welcome start to such a cold winter day of fashion week, and perhaps longer, in the deathly chill of a freezing political climate.
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With love,
FWO
