Flying Solo is a New York-based retailer that touts itself as “the largest independent designer platform in the United States.” While New York Fashion Week is gearing up for another season of socially distanced showings, Flying Solo kicked off the week with one of the scarcely few shows actually doing in-person presentations. On a rooftop in Soho, over 50 designers showcased over 450 looks for their AW 21 collections over the course of six runway shows.
In below freezing weather, models lined the runways to celebrate the mutual appreciation for fashion in its purest form.
Show one featured exquisite fashion from Morphine Fashion. One model walked the runway in thigh-high ruched leather pale blue boots, which was paired with a denim jacket detailed with patchwork from a baroque-inspired silk scarf. We later see the designer play with fringe: a white denim jacket stoned with crystals and fringe lining and another black leather jacket lined with fringe. A standout from her collection was a sheer dress with metallic red detailing that matched the detailing on her denim jacket.
Eve Walker showed a collection of various shirts, pants, dresses and suits in dark colors with contrastingly bright floral prints in the third show. The idea was a very chic and modern take on the use of florals for an Autumn and Winter collection with a very cohesive theme throughout. Rusty Reconstructed produced a line of garments that felt very ‘90s urban inspired. The collection saw the use of modern art, graffiti, color blocking and pop art that feel very specific to that era known for street style.
For show three, Monzlapur displayed two similarly patterned unisex garments: one sky crop top in sky blue and one button down in coral. Each model wore a pair of sweats in burnt gold and matte black respectively. In the same show, Ihsana Iman embraced a glittering fabric for many of her designs. A highlight for her showing was a crop top and skirt color blocked in shades of blue, purple and orange. She also debuted two pairs of flare-leg pants, one pair color blocked similarly to the crop top/skirt combo and the other pair striped in two shades of blue. The brand Genzier also produced a nice cream and black checkered minidress with a matching jacket. The inside of the jacket was a pink and black star pattern. The jacket flowed behind her in the wind as she lifted a sign overhead reading “BUY VINTAGE SAVE THE PLANET.”
The fourth show presented a lovely collection by Kate Barton, who dedicated her newest collection ‘65 Roses’ to the loss of her friend’s battle with cystic fibrosis. The color palette for the collection featured lavender, periwinkle and grey, the colors for cystic fibrosis foundation awareness. Each of the garments cascaded down the runways in flowing gowns with metallic accents to raise awareness for the disease. Designer Naa-Adei Laura Marmon showed two nice suits — one a beaded turquoise print suit, the other a floral print gold suit with balloon sleeves. The brand J’amemme made use of pastel colors and organza to create a standout asymmetrical yellow organza dress with one balloon sleeve.
Prey Public was a huge standout from the fifth show. This runway was the only show to feature two models walking side-by-side in holographic silver feathered dresses. “Inspired by Akhilanda – she is never not broken – constantly pulling herself apart, she is in a consistent state of brokenness, her broken bits reflect the light, like a prism. Her strength is her brokenness,” Prey Public said on Instagram.
The last show showcased such great talent within the fashion community. AARA by SANA produced a lavender and purple oversized blazer called ‘PEARL OF THE SEA.’ “Our incredible artisans have done it again! Dripping in sequin and hand beaded pearl lapels this bespoke blazer dress is sure to be a conversation starter in any room,” the brand said on Instagram. MIMIELA by Ruby Denis produced a gorgeous nude column dress decorated with a pattern of yellow fabric flowers. Hala Al Mamari designed an array of powder blue, peach and lavender gowns draped down the runway. One of the standouts from the day as a whole came in the form of a multi-pink tiered tulle gown. MIASHAN closed out the show with a purple tulle dress with blue and green chiffon detail and beading as well as a black minidress with a floral lace train and a flat black headpiece and a floral lace train trailing behind the model.