Karen Walker's Fall 2016 collection Magnetic on the runway in New York.
Karen Walker did her twentieth New York Fashion Week runway show yesterday which is a huge achievement, especially as she is the only New Zealand designer to show consistently on the NYFW schedule. While there is no doubt she is a household name in New Zealand, her New York shows have helped Walker further the global reach of her brand of which her eyewear has been a key successful component alongside her fashion collections.
This season's Fall 2016 collection is called Magnetic and sees Walker draw inspiration from Berenice Abbot, who was a talented American photographer known for her photos of New York in the 1930s. Although Walker didn't draw from Berenice's work but instead used her personal style as a muse. “Her style was very much androgynous but with a bit of glamour,” said Walker to Vogue Runway, and that mix of casual functionality with a charming allure was definitely evident on the runway.
Functional turtlenecks in jewel tones were contrasted with bright lurex prints in silhouettes that were relaxed with tan belts and wide ruched elastic creating a feminine shape at the waist. Being a collection for the cooler months, skirts were midi-length for more warmth while several of Walker's signature silhouettes and ever-present ruffles put her stamp on the season. Coats in wool and tweed featured roomy blouson sleeves which added to the vintage-inspired look. There was everything a cool girl will be looking for next winter and many looks that will appeal to the not quite so cool KW fan too.
Images from Karen Walker