By:Â Hope Wilkos, Writer
One of the many joys of New York Fashion Week is being able to attend the debut of designer Son Jung Wan’s seasonal collections. This September it was Spring/Summer 2017. She achieved the inevitable, taking us soaring into a land of sophistication and giving us a brief glimpse into that which has been deemed tasteful and extremely chic.
This particular Spring/Summer 2017 fashion show was like a trip back in time to an era when disco dancing all night long was a way of life. The fashion show took place on Saturday, September 10, 2016, at The Dock, Skylight @ Moynihan Station, one of the hot spots for all the New York Fashion Week events and shows. It was a tantalizing scene reminiscent of the glorious 70’s. The looks were all metallically bold and magnificently bright. The various prints parading up and down the runway were all pleasing to the eye. Burnt orange and forest green were both hues that we gravitated towards for not only the colors, but, the designs as well.
The magical sparkle of the fabrics matched the twinkle in each model’s eye. Son Jung Wan creatively dresses the man as well as the woman and these looks were far from ordinary, each striking in their own special way. Wan is a designer with ingenuity, taking fabric with no form and extraordinarily turning it into a ‘graceful, one-shouldered’ sheath.
There was plenty of shine given to gorgeous pastel pieces, with a clear distinction of what is appealing for day and absolutely stunning for evening. Little to no accessories were added so that the core of the Spring/Summer 2017 collection could be the clothing itself. Brilliant red lips and curls pulled back or free flowing were seen on most of the models, all part of what we remember of the 70’s era gone by.
As each of the female models strutted down the catwalk, the feminine silhouettes captured the glamour and excitement of nights spent disco dancing in the dark at the ever-famous Studio 54, right in the heart of bustling New York City.
While front row guests included actress Kelly Rutherford, TV personality Kelly Bensimon, Model/Actress Karrueche Tran, Miss Universe 2016 Pia Alonzo Wurtzbah,  Miss USA 2016 Deshauna Barber, ABC’s “Bachelor in Paradise†Caila Quinn and Sharleen Joynt, E!’s “Rich Kids of Beverly Hills†Dorothy Wang,  E!’s “Total Divas†star Danielle Moinet, Actor Eric West, BET Host and Former Miss USA Kamie Crawford, Model/Actress Kim Alexis, Supermodel Alva Chinn and Singer/ Songwriter Kaya Stewart, the largest surprise was the final model to close the collection. The 70’s supermodel, Pat Cleveland, was the star of the show. She wore an ivory short jacket and matching pants with a slight shine on the sides. There was no better ending than this. She has that ageless presence that makes you love the look.
Son Jung Wan has a deep respect for the beauty of a woman and continues to design clothing that is style conscious and ever so fashionably smart. The fashion media and fans had nothing but high accolades for this collection and for a designer who has come so far with a following that continues to expand each and every season. That is Son Jung Wan, making a name for herself at each New York Fashion Week and beyond.
