Nicholas K taking a new turn?
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Fashion
For the past two seasons, Nicholas K seemed to have been taking inspiration from Star Wars and Mad Max. However, it looks like they have finally decided to take the desert chic silhouettes and get a bit more functional.
Rather than the multilayered silhouettes, the brand got a bit more simple with long caftan style dresses and asymmetrical jackets. The dresses were very simple, and rather than the usual black, grey and brown were major parts of the color palette. Rather than just looking like something fit for a tour of the desert, the dresses appeared more functional and everyday.
Nicholas K takes a softer approach to their silhouettes
Perhaps in the wake of a competitive contemporary market the brand decided that it was time to tone it down on the avante garde and get a little more functional. For what is perhaps the first time ever, the runway looks appeared easily shoppable.
The particular inspiration for this collection was Wadi Rum, a valley of sandstone located in Jordan. There was a little more skin shown than usual this season, as the brand took an attempt at becoming sexier. A suitable choice for spring/summer 2017, as it's always good for your summer garments to leave some breathing room.
Although Nicholas K has a boutique presence in New York, they've yet to attract any major buyers to their runway show. They have been the opening show for New York Fashion Week for at least the past several seasons, but don't seem to have caught the eye of any top department store or e-tail buyers. Unfortunately, being the opening show doesn't come with the level of prestige of a large buyer crowd, but the level of press responsiveness to this show might change that for future seasons. With the women's contemporary market being so competitive right now, we have to take a good look at what brands are still buoyant in this retail climate.
Nicholas K's newer, softer approach to clothes is a welcome one. It's a reminder that designers shouldn't be so afraid to go in a different direction.
photo via Catwalk Pictures
