Tory Burch Evokes Sport at New York Fashion Week

Models walk the runway for Tory Burch during New York Fashion Week in New York on September 9, 2024. (Photo by Yuki IWAMURA / AFP)
Models walk the runway for Tory Burch during New York Fashion Week in New York on September 9, 2024. (Photo by Yuki IWAMURA / AFP)
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Tory Burch Evokes Sport at New York Fashion Week

Models walk the runway for Tory Burch during New York Fashion Week in New York on September 9, 2024. (Photo by Yuki IWAMURA / AFP)
Models walk the runway for Tory Burch during New York Fashion Week in New York on September 9, 2024. (Photo by Yuki IWAMURA / AFP)

American designer Tory Burch unveiled a collection imbued with the spirit of sport -- but without venturing into sportswear -- at New York Fashion Week on Monday.

Freedom and movement were reflected in loose-fitting wool pants and wrap dresses, while power shone through in the assembly of different pieces, fabrics and cuts on the models marching down the catwalk.

"It's more about the spirit and the essence of sport," Burch, whose shows have become a staple of New York Fashion Week, told Agence France Presse of the Spring/Summer 2025 collection.

That means it's about "movement, about freedom, precision" as a starting point, she explained, adding: "The word 'synchronicity' was something I thought about."

Burch, who this year celebrated the 20th anniversary of her eponymous fashion house, said: "I wanted to be careful with not having too many different prints, but I wanted it to come across some textures and the fabrics and the color well."

Among the standouts was an ensemble of ultra-light suede pants with a rope belt and a skin-tight sweater patterned in red and white.

A transparent white jersey shirt with ruffles and overly long sleeves was paired with its formal counterpart, brown wool pants.

Once again, the Pennsylvania native broke from the style that made her famous, a combination of preppy New England with a touch of the bohemian.

A regular at New York's iconic venues, Burch chose the top floor of the former Domino sugar factory in Williamsburg, Brooklyn, with its breathtaking view over Manhattan, for her show.

Along with Vogue editor-in-chief Anna Wintour, the show was attended by actresses Michelle Williams, Elizabeth Olsen and Kirsten Stewart.

"I want to have a dialogue, but I want to keep evolving and taking it in new directions," the designer said, adding: "I think it's important to have some continuity."



Hilfiger Goes Full Nautical for Fashion Week

A model presents a creation from the SS25 Tommy Hilfiger collection on the MV John F. Kennedy, a decommissioned Staten Island ferryboat in Manhattan, New York City, US, September 8, 2024. REUTERS/Caitlin Ochs
A model presents a creation from the SS25 Tommy Hilfiger collection on the MV John F. Kennedy, a decommissioned Staten Island ferryboat in Manhattan, New York City, US, September 8, 2024. REUTERS/Caitlin Ochs
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Hilfiger Goes Full Nautical for Fashion Week

A model presents a creation from the SS25 Tommy Hilfiger collection on the MV John F. Kennedy, a decommissioned Staten Island ferryboat in Manhattan, New York City, US, September 8, 2024. REUTERS/Caitlin Ochs
A model presents a creation from the SS25 Tommy Hilfiger collection on the MV John F. Kennedy, a decommissioned Staten Island ferryboat in Manhattan, New York City, US, September 8, 2024. REUTERS/Caitlin Ochs

Tommy Hilfiger loves celebrating New York City and its landmarks. He also loves a nautical theme — and a big surprise.
So for his New York Fashion Week show on Sunday night, the designer brought all those elements together in his typically splashy way, inviting guests aboard a decommissioned ferry boat and giving them not only a runway show but a rap-filled finale, The Associated Press reported.
The live musical performance, which electrified the fashion crowd, featured Ghostface Killah, Method Man, and Raekwon from Staten Island’s own Wu-Tang clan weaving through the runways and seats as they sang. The soundtrack was curated by Questlove, who also served as DJ for Hilfiger’s February show at the Oyster Bar in Grand Central Station.
“We’re inspired by nautical this season,” Hilfiger told AP before the show. “But it’s nautical, preppy, collegiate, all-American and modern. So, we needed to show it either on the water, on a boat or near the water. Then we found out the Staten Island Ferry was available.”
The boat, called the John F. Kennedy, served as a Staten Island Ferry until it was decommissioned in 2021. It was bought the following year by investors including actor-comedian Pete Davidson and “Saturday Night Live's” Colin Jost, who both grew up in the New York City borough.
“We are really the first people to utilize it (the ferry) for an event,” Hilfiger said. “We’re really excited.”
Jost was delighted to see the boat being used for the purpose he imagined. “It’s pretty crazy," he said. "It’s one of the few days where I’ve been on the boat and been like, ‘Oh, say, this is nice. This is how it can work.’
“I took this exact boat every single morning to high school,” Jost added, explaining why he'd bought the boat. "And when it was available, I just loved the vibe of it.”
Hilfiger's Spring 2025 collection featured nautical style stripes “inspired by sailing heritage,” the label explained, and casual styles like capri pants and oversized knits. There were Hilfiger’s much-loved varsity jackets, trench coats, club blazers, and polos. Accessories included bandanas around the neck. “It’s the New American Prep wardrobe,” the label said in a statement, “fusing vibrant Ivy League style with everyday coastal functionality.”
Brooke Shields was having an emotional evening. Her daughter, Grier, was taking a break from her freshman year at college to appear on her first fashion week runway.
“I got very emotional," Shields said. "It was her first show and this is something she wanted to do. And I said, ‘You’ve got to go to college, but it’s a Sunday, so it’s okay.’”
Actors Shay Mitchell and Madelyn Cline were among the admirers of the collection.
“Incredible, as always,” said Mitchell. “I want every piece. The accessories were phenom, and how do you end a show better than what he did?”