Gemma Hoi makes factory workers fashionable at New York Fashion Week

For her fall/winter 2018 collection, designer Gemma Hoi, in partnership with Nolcha Shows, took us on a time traveling journey to the 1940s. It was during that time period that female factory workers were on the rise as and they got their own uniform. Unbeknownst to many, denim played a very unique role in shaping female gender roles.

The fabric, which to this day is one of the most classic and utilitarian in American history, was part of the second wave of feminism as women were able to take on blue collar jobs traditionally held by men. This fueled the inspiration for Hoi's designs from start to finish of her collection.

“This collection seeks to bring the audience back into the 1940s, to relive the days when denim and the women of today were still young, and when the story has yet to be told," Hoi said.

With this collection, Hoi was able to expand the definition of denim to include cropped denim with a quilted skirt attached, an asymmetrical denim jacket paired with a white dress and a low-cut denim dress with voluminous sleeves. These different outfits showed us the variety of different ways denim can be worn, and how denim has become a material for any occasion. Gone are the days of it as a strictly utilitarian material, it can be dressed up or down, and made avant garde.

This collection seeks to bring the audience back into the 1940s, to relive the days when denim and the women of today were still young, and when the story has yet to be told. This journey will explore and expand the definition of denim with new shapes and details, bringing a new page of narration on American style to life.

photos: courtesy of Globe Fashion Week