Prabal Gurung, Anna Sui, and J. Mendel: NYFW SS19

Mendel’s Spring/Summer 2019 collection is the epitome of all things girlish and graceful, featuring an arsenal of chiffon, delicate waistlines, swaying pleats, and dainty beaded details. While the splendid pastels and plentiful ruffles are reminiscent of something worn during a stroll around a Victorian era garden, the silhouettes maintain a sophisticated and modern attitude, making them anything but frivolous. Even though each piece is sweeter than the one before, a most adorable highlight of the collection would have to be the fur capes, which come in colors like lavender and a peachy pink.

Anna Sui took us on a journey to faraway places with its latest collection, “Wanderlust.” A runway laden in magic carpets and palm leaves made us feel as though we had been transported to a hidden market in Shangri-La, as the models carved a path around the push carts and pagodas of Jerry Schwartz’s Grand Bazaar scenery. The collection was comprised of all things dreamy, featuring embroidered eyelet Victorian blouses, starfish sequins, pinup style bathing suits, and metallic brocades. While the whole collection left us fantasizing of exotic adventures, a few of the standout pieces included the silky fringed cowboy shirt in aqua blue, and the flowing printed skirt and blouse combination with a matching deep green turban.

Prabal Gurung’s colorful collection exuded the same buoyancy one often feels after summer days spent in the sun, making the radiant apparel the main event atop a shadowy, black runway. Relaxed yet feminine, the collection featured ruffled hems, gathered waistlines, cargo pockets, and color blocking details, which were dispersed throughout the fluid-yet-meticulous cuts and curves of the collection. Some of the looks that were particularly captivating included a sari-like dual tone plaid dress with midriff cut outs, and a champagne jumpsuit with puffed sleeves and wispy feathered legs.