The September issue of Vogue Magazine is their largest and marks the transition from the Spring/Summer fashion season to the Autumn/Winter season. It is where designers showcase their newest creations through advertisements that make the September edition sometimes triple the normal size of their editions. It is an important source in the fashion industry to determine the newest trends and to see which designers rise to the occasion and can stand out in the sea of advertisements. This year is no different. Looking at the cover page we can see several trends and designers that are being highlighted.
The cover story, “Generation America: The Models Changing an Industry,” is a double spread page showcasing several famous models wearing different designer pieces. The models include Anok Yai, Kaia Gerber, Precious Lee, Ariel Nicholson, Lola Leon, Bella Hadid, Yumi Nu and Sherry Shi posed in a casual office setting juxtaposed with their not-so-casual designer pieces. Each of the designers showcased are poised to have a great year in the industry, so here is a little more about them and what the designs say for possible future trends.
christopher john rogers
Out of all the designers, Christopher John Rogers stands out as the newest name in the industry. The eponymous label was founded in 2016 and the brand has been able to curate an impressive list of celebrity clients from Michelle Obama to Zendaya to Lil Nas X. I find that his branding has been so successful by making sure his name is everywhere, selling at Saks Fifth Avenue, creating a line for Target and showcasing a piece on nearly every red carpet with the “wow” moment of the night. The label feels accessible to all yet still personal and luxurious. To see his designs featured twice on the cover, on both Bella Hadid and Ariel Nicholson, shows that his name is not going anywhere in the world of fashion. These designs are bold, colorful and fun, which seems to be the overall mood of the shoot, showing a potential pivot for designers to create uplifting garments as we have been through such upsetting times.
Proenza Schouler and Modern Suiting
Sherry Shi wears a beige Proenza Schouler suit set with flowy pants, large statement buttons and unique cuffs. This take on suiting is fresh and elegant, giving a flattering silhouette through the way the shirt is buttoned to define the waist. This monochromatic styling appears to be an important trend in fashion, creating a rich yet minimal overall look to an outfit.
Carolina Herrera and Knits
Knits are a staple in fashion and are not going anywhere. As seen on Precious Lee wearing a black and white polka dot Carolina Herrera dress and Ariel Nicholson in a Christopher John Rogers green sweater, knits for upcoming seasons are not in neutral colors. They are bold and bright, with interesting patterns. We have seen this trend for the past year or so (think back to the popular House of Sunny knit pieces), and this emphasizes that knits will be carried from summer into fall and winter by turning up the volume on color and pattern.
Ralph Lauren and Bling
This cover shoot features pieces that shine…literally. Whether it is the sequins on the Christopher John Rogers dress or the small chain detail of the silky Ralph Lauren dress on Anok Yai, this is your sign that it is the season to sparkle wherever you go. These lustrous details provide texture to the garments, similar to the raised texture on the Mara Hoffman dress on Yumi Nu. Texture and depth seem to be key elements for this upcoming fashion season.
What do you think of Vogue’s September cover? I hope this fashion analysis helped spark some inspiration and excitement for the upcoming season!