NYFW 2019 Highlights: Rihanna’s Star-Studded Bash, Vera Wang’s Return to Runway and Proenza Schouler’s 80s Power Dressing Steal the Show

New York, September 11: Rihanna's A-list bash, Vera Wang's return to the runway, and Proenza Schouler's eighties power suits -- AFP takes a look at the highlights from the fourth full day of New York Fashion Week on Tuesday.

Rihanna Dominates

Pop icon Rihanna's Savage x Fenty lingerie show was the week's most anticipated but exclusive event and doubled as an invitation-only concert, featuring some of music's buzziest acts such as Migos and Halsey. In a spectacle that dominated New York's Fashion Week celebrity models, including the Hadid sisters and Joan Smalls, made appearances alongside artists like Normani. A-listers entered Brooklyn's Barclays Center for the show from Rihanna, a fashion and beauty mogul who unveiled the launch of her new luxury line with French powerhouse LVMH earlier this year. Normani and Hailey Bieber Are Bringing Back the Exposed Thong Trend; and We’re Living for It!

Now in its second year, her hugely popular lingerie catwalk will stream on Amazon's Prime Video service on September 20. Setting herself up as the anti-Victoria's Secret -- a thin-obsessed brand that this year cancelled its annual catwalk -- Rihanna's line features body-inclusive pieces from bombshell lace-up corsets and sheer floral thongs, to tomboy boyshorts and high-neck bralettes. Despite -- or perhaps because of -- a social media ban inside the Barbadian star's show, it still dominated Tuesday's conversation as stars and stylists alike scrambled to exist in the shadow of Rihanna's Instagram account, @badgirlriri.

Vera Wang Returns

Designer Vera Wang returned to the catwalk for the first time in several years, and told AFP it was "great timing" thanks to the streamlined event that has gone from seven to five days. "There was almost 400 shows at one point, which I think you lose any kind of perspective," she said. "So I think this new editing made me feel it was right for us to come back, particularly with what we do which is really couture level, sewing and draping and cutting."

For her return, Wang made famous by her wedding dress creations, proposed her vision of sensuality that featured confections of body-revealing tulle, and suspenders reminiscent of garter-belts. "I dress a lot of Hollywood and I wanted to do my version of Hollywood when I'm not dressing a star in particular," Wang said.

New Decade Incoming

Inspired by the notion of a new decade, Coach designer Stuart Vevers "wanted a collection that was about change and also something that was stripped-back and upbeat, optimistic and looking forward to the new decade." Originally a specialist in bags and accessories, Coach has always kept leather firmly anchored in its DNA. But while it featured in this year's collection, Vevers did not make it the central element, playing with the brand's legacy while lending a fresh touch.

The British designer -- who presided over the launch of Coach's ready-to-wear line in 2015 -- went back to basics, offering jackets, skirts, and leather pants, often matching.

1980s Power

Models looked particularly statuesque stalking Proenza Schouler's runway, where architectural tailoring paired with belted feminine draping was the theme. This year's ready-to-wear collection featured sharp-shouldered power-jackets paired with sensuous cowlneck layering in sleek neutrals, often accessorized with thick, oversized hoop earrings.

Some sported voluminous pants while others wore slim-but-flowing maxi skirts over opaque matte black or white tights with strappy-heeled sandals. Designers Jack McCollough and Lazaro Hernandez pulled together many of the more feminine looks with waist-nipping belts or timeless trenchcoats given contemporary flavour with details like asymmetric buttons.

(The above story first appeared on LatestLY on Sep 11, 2019 05:39 PM IST. For more news and updates on politics, world, sports, entertainment and lifestyle, log on to our website latestly.com).