When talk of fall fashion starts up, I immediately think of one thing: leather. This time around was no different and it appears that I’m not the only one with leather on the brain. August Getty‘s fall collection dominated the runway, offering designs that would rival the most experienced fashion veterans. At only 20 years old, this is only his second showing at Mercedes Benz Fashion Week (his first being Spring/Summer ’15 in September) but despite his novice status at MBFW, it is evident his passion and talent for design and the creative process has catapulted him among the ranks of some of the greats.
Somewhat appropriately entitled “The Other Woman” Getty’s fall ’15 collection featured intense and fantastical designs crafted from strong yet luxe materials like leather, fur and heavy gauge silks. “You have to be very courageous and twisted to be the other woman”, quoted Getty of the theme of the collection. This is evident with the use of strong lines and silhouettes throughout, not to mention the sexy necklines, bare mid-drifts and lots of leg. Not to be out-shown and over sexualized, the collection also displayed some longer hemlines, full sleeved dresses and decolletage covering pieces. Simply put: the collection has something for every one.
From the first look that featured a full on catsuit with a mock neckline and cutouts at the hips, the collection wowed from the start. Full length gowns made from luxe and sexy black leathers and silks were also flamboyantly peppered throughout the show. As the runway continued, the audience got to bask in strong separates made from the skin-tight yet classy leather. Cropped tops with peek-a-boo cutouts, mini skirts and short-shorts were also very prevalent within the collection. One of my favorite looks (and there were quite a few) was the almost bra-like top with the mini skirt topped with a modernized and over-sized Matrix-esque trench coat.
The collection also featured looks with a softer edge from what appeared the be a brocade textile created from cutout leather fused onto a clear backing. This lace-like textile served as the medium for several pieces including a floor length slim fit dress with long sleeves; a very simple silhouette but paired with this textile the result was not at all simple. It was used as well on a sleek, simple and ultra feminine cocktail dress.
Besides leather, Getty used fur. In keeping with the aesthetic of the collection, the fur was dark and rich in color except when he strayed for just a moment with a gray patchwork-like fur textile used for a pair of loose-fitting casual pants (paired with a simple silk spaghetti strap top) and a magnificent cropped sweater with a large cowl neck (paired with leather shorts), which was another one of my favorites in the collection.
Not all of the looks were slim and sexy. Getty played with proportions with several over-sized coats like the trench mentioned above, as well as with a boxy knee-length fur coat with incredibly strong shoulders and a deep-V neckline. Around the middle of runway show one of the most interesting pieces was revealed in the form of a rich hued fur dress with a flare skirt and long sleeves. The hemline hit above the knee and the petticoat of the skirt was crafted in exposed black leather. Again, a simple silhouette that we may have seen before, but the fabrication and design of the dress made it the most innovative piece of clothing I have ever seen.
I could go on an on about the creative prowess and magnificence of Getty’s collection, but I know he’s going to be everywhere and you will soon enough see for yourself. There was something so sexy it was almost naughty about this collection, but at the same time his designs don’t alienate the everyday woman. Many of the pieces are both timeless and ageless which it seems Getty has perfected quite easily in his few short years in the industry. His gift for finding the perfect balance in characteristics of classic (some may even say demure) with rebelliousness will be the reason we’ll see more “Getty Girls” popping up all over the fashion nation. I’m already on board.
– Carmen N. Turner
Photos: NYmag
“Getty Girl”
