Signals

 In an era when the relevance of fashion shows is being questioned, American brand Eckhaus Latta delivered an alternative that felt refreshingly personal and authentic at New York Fashion Week in September 2024. Instead of a traditional runway, the design duo hosted an intimate dinner in a Tribeca loft, inviting close friends to style themselves in their Spring collection. 

The low-key atmosphere quickly shifted when comedian Kate Berlant announced: ‘Oh, you thought this was just a dinner. Wrong,’ as guests, including artist Ella Emhoff, took turns strutting down a makeshift runway. 

The experience emphasised the freedom that comes with independent creativity. ‘It’s not like we are beholden to some sort of board,’ said Zoe Latta, co-founder of the brand, highlighting their intention to disrupt the fashion show format. 

This approach reflects the evolving relationship between fashion and community, blending casual celebration with the showcase of new designs.

In September 2024, in New York’s Marble Cemetery, Collina Strada’s spring/summer 2025 showcase delivered a colourful and climate-conscious reminder to ‘touch grass’, inviting attendees to reconnect with nature amid today’s chaotic world. 

The show, staged in the heart of the East Village, offered a brief escape from the outside world’s perils, as creative director Hillary Taymour transformed the venue into a serene and green utopia. 

Drawing inspiration from the viral ‘touch grass’ meme, Taymour’s collection embodied a playful yet poignant call for balance, urging people to ground themselves in nature.

‘The world feels like a battlefield in so many ways right now, and I think we can all reconnect and find that peaceful centre by touching grass,’ explained Taymour. 

Sustainability advocates made notable appearances, including Brooklyn’s famed Green Lady and designer Mara Hoffman. In true Collina Strada fashion, the collection embraced whimsy and environmental consciousness, with models donning floor-length, green-tipped hair and grass clippings on their ankles. 

The finale featured a model pushing a vintage lawnmower while wearing pieces from Taymour’s new sunglasses line, underlining the theme of reconnecting with nature through simple, everyday actions. The spring/summer 2025 collection tastefully blends femininity, sustainability and fashion with a fresh perspective on climate-conscious living.

Now that you know what shaped 2024, discover what’s on the horizon. Download our Future Forecast 2025 report comprising 50 new trends across 10 key consumer sectors, insights from our analysts and interviews with global innovators.