Christian Siriano 2020-21 Ready-to-Wear NYFW

Known for his often whimsical and elegant designs, Christian Siriano turned to edgy- punk for his 2020-21 Ready-to-Wear collection.

Everything from the accessories to the backdrop aided in building a punk-like atmosphere. The bright pink background created a contrast with the darker clothes in the first quarter of the show. A range of blacks and greys mixed with metallic looks gave off an elegant but sharp appearance to set the tone for the rest of the show.

Something that almost every model had in common was their hair and makeup. A look that cannot be described as anything but middle schooler edge, kept a constant throughout the changing pieces. A black heart on the cheek, bright purple glossy lips for the females, and a staple of any pre-teen, blue and pink chalk-like hairstreaks, brought down the unwearable feel to some of the more intense looks.

As the collection deepened, color was slowly being introduced into the pieces. A bright, shiny purple top that matched the lip color of some of the models, was only the beginning. A slew of purples, pinks, yellows, blues, and greens began to grace the models.

The edgy look from earlier began to die down as the metal-made accessories like chains became few and far between. They were beginning to be replaced by purses and hats to diverge from the heavier punk feel to create a more elegant look.

Mostly focused on women, the few male models kept the edge despite the more elegant turn. With tight-fitting tops and displays of their torsos, the men kept the darker looks constant. Wide fitting pants and boots topped with chains and chokers were a staple.

The women, on the other hand, ranged from ball gowns to pantsuits to trench coats and everything in between. Playing with all different textures seemed like a goal of Siriano’s. Although there was a continual theme of shiny and metallic fabric, the variety was not scarce. Feathers and latex were only a few features to the collection.

Finishing in style was a must. Unwearable to the average person, these pieces of art were curved with cutouts adding sharp lines and edges. Rounding out the show was Canadian model Coco Rocha, adding a sculpture-like aesthetic. Playing with the lines of the piece, Rocha worked the runway giving the audience closure to the New York Fashion Week highlight.