By: Riley Head ~Staff Writer~

 

New York Fashion Week kicked off its 75th year on Sept. 8, marking the beginning of nine days packed with 151 fashion shows as well as pop-up shops, after-parties and street style.

Models of the moment, Kendall Jenner and Gigi Hadid, are expected to dominate the week, performing in a multitude of shows. Hadid took the runway first with her highly anticipated collaboration with Tommy Hilfiger: tommy x gigi. Jenner started her Fashion Week catwalks with the always popular Alexander Wang. Hadid kicked off her busy week with an Instagram photo of the New York skyline taken from a helicopter with the caption explaining it was the only way she could make it to her first show on time.

Fashion icons Kanye West and Tom Ford pushed the boundaries of time by premiering their collections a day earlier than the official start, but didn’t seem to push the boundaries very far. West’s collection featured his controversial “multiracial” models in various skin shades of his signature spandex-like material while Ford stuck to his usual ‘70s influenced style.

Popular trends of the week seem to include metallic material, heavy ‘80s influence, oversized ruffles and fall florals. Trends from everyday pop style also seemed to find their way onto the runway. Clinton-esque pantsuits and chokers of all materials were among the hits.

Positive social fads also influenced runways. “Real girls” were seen on catwalks all over, both with varying body types and sans makeup. These models came as response to movements against unrealistic body images for women in the fashion and advertising industries.

Fans of fashion who can’t personally be in attendance can check the live snapchat story as attendees capture the runway performances and document the celebrity appearances. The official Fashion Week Twitter also posts behind-the-scenes looks and constantly refreshes the schedule of events.

New York Fashion Week is the official kickoff to the couture fashion season—London, Milan and Paris all follow closely in the month of September.