New York Fashion Week – Khaite
Khaite
Catherine Holstein’s Khaite collections are so revered now by the fashion flock, her shows are church-like. Spring 2024 was no exception – held in the majestic Park Avenue Armory, the lighting and music were both hushed, as straight-faced unadorned models severely displayed tightly ruched black tops, pants and pencil midis, but none paired together. Holstein’s leather jackets are long and large, tossed over clingier looks (one light as air sky blue fringed maxi) for good contrast. Her clothes are both simple and stern – while complicated, dramatic. Most of her palette – on long carwash hemmed gowns, blazer dresses, blazers themselves consisted of high contrast solids: in black, white or grey – so when three screaming poppy red silk flou dresses and a exaggerated poet-sleeve blouse (paired with leather shorts) came out, there was a large inhale/exhale. Shoulders on leather jackets, tidy trench coats and blazer dresses were exaggerated, where her separates: tops, skirts, shorts, ruched pants – clung snuggly to the skin. She’s all about the tough in the femme – meeting not quite in the middle, but paired in some cool configuration. A long white silk ethereal slip dress with a thick leather belt slung on the hips was just one example.
Merle Ginsberg is a fashion writer and television personality who was one of the judges on “RuPaul’s Drag Race” in the first two seasons of the show. She is also an award winning journalist and writer, and a NY Times bestselling author. She started her long media career in NY at the Village Voice, MTV and Rolling Stone. Then, moving to L.A., she wrote for People, Us, L.A. Times and W Magazine and Women’s Wear Daily, where she presided over the West Coast bureau for 12 years, also contributing to L.A. Magazine, Jane and Details. She also served as Senior Style Editor of The Hollywood Reporter.
