Uptown sophistication landed in Downtown New York on Tuesday evening as Oscar de la Renta unveiled its latest collection in Lower Manhattan’s Financial District.
For the house’s designers, Fernando Garcia and Laura Kim, the parallels of city life are something which has preoccupied the catwalk since their debut two years ago.
Charged with modernising the heritage label best known for outfitting the princesses of Park Avenue, the duo appear to have succeeded in their mission to court a new generation of socialite. In the past month, both Meghan Markle and Kate Middleton have been spotted in Oscar de la Renta creations, while last night in New York, Paris and Nicky Hilton lined the front row alongside a squad of social media influencers.
The show which unfolded was also concerned with a less restrictive dress code than was standard during its founder’s heyday. It featured relaxed tailoring, bustier crop tops paired with coordinating dress coats, and pyjama-style jumpsuits. There was even what could be described as a tracksuit - albeit, crafted from cashmere, trimmed with embroidery and worn with a satin sandal.
That’s not to say that its namesake’s signature fit-and-flare silhouette was absent. In fact, it was celebrated, but instead appeared in non-traditional fabrics or wrought with technical innovation, such as the bustier dress cut from quilted satin, or the evening gown crafted from laser cut lace.
These were shown alongside short velvet cocktail dresses and thigh-split Grecian gowns aimed squarely at its more recently recruited fan base.
Fittingly, the show was closed by social super Bella Hadid dressed in a black velvet and tulle ball gown fit for a queen.
