Simply said, it was a vibe when you walked into the Kate Spade New York autumn 2023 show at the Whitney Museum of American Art and saw an animated Haley Lu Richardson wearing an electric yellow skirt suit. The entire event, which featured music from the Julliard School and featured the Hudson River as a backdrop, was set off by it.The “White Lotus” actress’s outfit, which included a tonal textured blazer and skirt over a leopard pussy-bow blouse with matching shoes, heart huggies, and a crystal-embellished tote bag, not only reflected the theme of the new collection (a return to the joy of getting dressed), but was also a little quirky, like something eclectic her character Portia might choose to wear.
Richardson had her dirty blonde hair up in a loose chignon with a side part. With rosy cheeks, a bright pink lip, and a darkly lined eye, her makeup was appropriately 1960s. A jet black manicure completed the look. To generate a more youthful attitude, Richardson and her team of stylists had the skirt silhouette changed to a mini, according to Kate Spade SVP and Director of Design, RTW, and Lifestyle Tom Mora. And that connects to the goal of the Kate Spade design team. With “autumn in New York,” Mora and SVP and Director of Design, Leather Products and Accessories Jennifer Lyu intended to impress customers. When you return to the city after being away, he said to POPSUGAR, it’s like a blank canvas.
Bright colors were the essential component Mora and Lyu employed to convey the lineup’s vibrancy, showcasing the recently created Pantone color Kate Spade Green, which radiates happiness and positivity. Dopamine dressing is clearly prevalent this season as evidenced by the sequined suits, graphic designs, fuzzy striped stoles, and beanies. Naturally, the bags are pieces of art in and of themselves, adding vibrant textures and eye-catching designs to the Kate Spade stage.
Mora revelled in the celebration as he took in the atmosphere, telling POPSUGAR: “We walked into the space yesterday for a walk-through, and what this looked like as the sun was going down, was just, wow. Then you layer in the colour of the clothing, and it’s such a special moment.” He continued: “You know when you’re just really feeling something? We’re feeling it. And it’s just the beginning.” Lyu agreed: “The initial inspiration was a vibe,” she said. “To come full circle today and re-create the vibe we were feeling and watch it come 360 feels so meta. It’s incredible as designers.”
