Our Favorite Moments From Fall 2018 New York Fashion Week

And just like that, New York Fashion Week is over as quickly as it arrived. As we begin to regroup after a week of running from show to presentation to party, and start interpreting all that we saw as trends, we want to take a moment to celebrate the highlights.

We geared up for the week having an idea of what things we should look out for—Juicy Couture’s very first NYFW runway show and Alexander Wang’s last, for example. Even so, that doesn’t mean we weren’t still presented with a few pleasant surprises.

There was a strong underlying theme of strength at this season's happenings, stronger and louder than there has been in the past. The celebration of women—women from all walks of life, at that—was apparent in almost everything we saw.

Below, the eight things that happened this past week worth noting, that made all of the hustle and bustle, running around, and dressing to the nines each day totally worth it.

The incredibly inclusive casting

There’s no doubt about it: Runways are becoming more diverse and inclusive with each passing season. This season was no different, with Chromat and Christian Siriano presenting noteworthy casts of models. At Chromat, one model displayed her breast surgery scars while another strutted in her prosthetic leg; Siriano sent all of our favorites—like Danielle Brooks, Ashley Graham, and Selma Blair—down the runway in his stunning evening attire.

Alexander Wang showing at the old Condé Nast offices

For his final NYFW hurrah, Alexander Wang put on one hell of a show—though we’re really not surprised. This time, he didn’t head to the streets of Brooklyn or take over an old Harlem theater, but, instead, moved things over to Midtown Manhattan. Setting the show in an abandoned office in Condé Nast’s old 4 Times Square headquarters, it was an ode to former fashion glory days. His ‘80s power woman-inspired collection fit right in with the iconic setting. For anyone who’s been in the game a while, it was admittedly pretty eerie to walk back through those old halls, which hadn’t changed much since the publisher moved down to 1 World Trade Center back in late 2014.

Cardi B's amazing front row style

We’d like to take a moment to praise our queen Cardi B for her impeccable front row style all week long. From Alexander Wang to Christian Siriano, all eyes on were on her and her show-stopping looks. Believe us, it’s not easy looking good for all seven days, as NYFW can be so tiring and dressing to the nines becomes more and more daunting each day.

Of course, we can’t note this sartorial magic without mentioning this totally adorable front row moment:  

Prabal Gurung's celebration of female strength

Always one to use his runways as a political platform, designer Prabal Gurung once again dedicated his show to female empowerment. For fall, his collection was inspired by the women-led Mosuo tribe of China and the female activist Gulabi Gang of northern India, making references to these cultures through his use of the color pink and sarong-inspired draping and representing the fearlessness and strength of these female-fronted societies.

Both Gigi and Bella Hadid walked in the show this season, with Gigi posting a special shout-out to Gurung post-show. “So proud to have opened your show @prabalgurung,” she wrote. “To celebrate your message and carry your celebration of heritage is a great honor." She later wrote, “Thank you for all you stand for and the love, strength, and inclusion you inspire in the world.”

Black Panther comes to NYFW

Undoubtedly the most exciting event of NYFW, Marvel Studios' “Welcome To WAKANDA” was an event to celebrate the upcoming Black Panther. Seven fashion labels—such as Chromat, Cushnie et Ochs, and LaQuan Smith—designed one-of-a-kind pieces inspired by different characters from the film. The looks were then auctioned off on Charitybuzz, with proceeds going to support Save the Children.

Just how good Juicy Couture’s first runway show was

When we first caught wind that Juicy Couture was making its catwalk debut, we freaked out. Sure, this nostalgic brand has been slowly creeping its way back into the fashion scene since 2016, even having a casual Vetements collab, but its comeback wasn’t solidified until this week. The collection was everything any millennial who once worshipped the mighty tracksuit would have wanted—from glittery pink versions of its iconic tracksuits that would make Paris Hilton jealous to more high-fashion pieces, like a structured leather suit with a leopard fur collar and fluttery, ruffled maxi dresses.

Libertine’s practically floor-length fringe nails

We can always count on Libertine to not only make our punk rock dreams come true but to, also, provide us with some of the wildest nail inspiration. The almost-floor length fringed nails from this season (along with a slew of other magical things, like 3-D flowers and textured “cable knit sweater” designs) are everything we’ve ever wanted out of a nail. Are they practical? Maybe not, but who wants to be practical, anyway?

Carolina Herrera’s final bow

This season marked the last collection to come from 79-year-old designer Carolina Herrera before she passes the torch over to creative director Wes Gordon. Always a woman of elegance and poise, she ended her final runway show in the same fashion: A horde of models closed out the show wearing crisp white button downs—a signature of Herrera’s personal style—tucked into a rainbow array of belted ballgown skirts. A fitting end to the end of an era.