After a four year stint in his hometown of Paris, Joseph Altuzarra has brought his namesake women’s and accessories label back to the Empire State with a sense of resilience, energy, and sensuality. The Spring/Summer 2022 collection delivers thoughtful tie-dye, dynamic crochets and knits, and an abundance of flowing tops, dresses, and skirts. Featuring a kaleidoscope of what the contemporary woman searches for, Altuzarra’s collection reconstructs feminine power dressing. Livestreamed on multiple platforms, the collection is instantly shoppable via Amazon and NYFW.    

 

A pre-show panel presented on Sept. 9 by BMW, an official partner of fashion week, NYFW: The Talks featured designer Altuzarra in conversation about the future of fashion and his Spring/Summer 2022 collection. Altuzarra’s message and vision for this season are clear and forward-thinking, as he shared at the event that “the entire narrative of my show is really about welcoming a new era and the idea of rebirth.”   

 

A new era indeed, and one that prioritizes timelessness and—the buzzword of post-pandemic life—comfort. Loose structures and flexible fabrics allow for movement and practicality for an array of day-to-day activities. Long, oversized blazers in grey and white feel easily adaptable, not fussy, and classic.   

 

The designer has a deep understanding of fashion’s impact in the contemporary everyday. “I hadn’t seen people in a long time and now that I do see people, I want to make every outfit count,” shared Altuzarra during NYFW: The Talks. “[Our customers] are really looking for special things that will make them feel good and that they’re going to look good in. In this time that we’re living through, you want to put something on your body that you feel amazing in.” 

 

Long sleeves, loose tops, and flowing, high-waisted skirts in upcycled fabrics dyed with natural ingredients, also donned the concrete, warehouse runway. Altuzarra’s ongoing commitment to sustainability added a sense of grounding to the collection, with organic materials and natural shapes. Woven purses, shell-adorned tassels, and multicolored pieces feel fluid and apt for warmer seasons. Juxtaposed with statement belts and intricate crochet embroidery that resembles a sort of armor, the collection balances femininity in the full scope of the word.   

 

 

 

Standout ensembles in metallic black and gold, made from micro-pleated lamé, and strung together with lace-up detailing, embrace the power in feminine sensuality. Pleated skirts with slits and buttoned-up sides in vibrant reds or soft yellow, accentuate a modern version of dressing with confidence. Altuzarra’s long standing mission has been to design for women to feel “confident and sexy,” and this collection brings forth the most effective way to feel powerful, which is to dress for oneself.