Summer is coming to an end, but the fashionistas at New York Fashion Week are already bustling around in 8-inch stilettos, prepping next year's warm-weather fashions. As the spring 2013 runway shows begin at Lincoln Center, Billboard will be on the scene, exploring all of the shows, events and parties happening each day. Stay tuned to The Hook for the latest from NYFW.
BCBG Max Azria
Designers seem to be predicting a sinister spring. A dark and sexy feminine futurism trend emerged under the tents Thursday (Sept. 7) at Lincoln Center as black, cold white, gray and dark blue hues filled the runways. Although a bit gloomy, this trend proved to be sultry, with extreme tailoring and leather, bondage-inspired accents present in the BCBG Max Azria collection. The spring trend was already seen this week at the 2012 MTV VMAs in L.A., where Ke$ha and Wiz Khalifa's fiancée Amber Rose both rocked nude dresses with edgy black floral detailing.
R&B songstress Estelle was spotted front row at Fashion Week's BCBG Max Azria show in a vibrant BCBG outfit with royal blue trousers a black and white bold and graphic top and a silk green headdress. The playlist on Max Azria's runway featured compositions by Adele Anthony, Ulster Orchestra and Takuo Yuasa and soon kicked over to MS MR's "Hurricane."
Nicholas K
Nicholas K looked to futuristic 1973 film "Soylent Green" for inspiration for his utilitarian spring 2013 collection. Models walked down the runway to the slippery, electric beats of Brian Reaver and Round Robin, showing off the dark collection. Steeped in the Cubist/Expressionist movement, NK's collection featured leather vests, lush fabrics and bohemian silhouettes.
Swedish electronic duo Icona Pop -- Aino Jawo and Caroline Hjelt -- stunned in the audience at Nicholas K's show, matching with a black and gray layered aesthetic.
Richard Chai
Richard Chai's spring 2013 show was filled with light, and what better way to trumpet luminosity than with American rock band and favorite among the Los Angeles club scene, Jane's Addiction? The collection was nature-infused, inspired by the organic movement of clouds and the grace of a field of flowers. Holographic sequins sparkled alongside pale blues and golden yellows as models were strutting down the catwalk to Jane's "Stop!" and "Sympathy." Nick Cannon was sitting front row, rocking a dark, casually cool Richard Chai ensemble and brown baseball cap.
Helmut Lang
Sporty with a minimalistic edge was the theme at Helmut Lang's NYFW collection, which was set to moody and punchy beats by Elephant ("Tame Impala"), Liars ("A Ring on Every Finger"), and David Lynch ("Pinky's Dream" feat. Karen O). The gritty tunes spoke to the urban and salacious theme of the clothes, with sheer fabrics, color-blocking, and finely detailed florals frolicking down the runway with mysterious spring confidence.
Pop singer-songwriter Porcelain Black and new husband Bradly Soileau (of Lana del Rey's "Born To Die" video) graced the front row at Lang's show. Both rocked all-black looks, with Porcelain in a sheer lace top, black skirt, and black scarf wrapped around her head.
Jason Wu
Beautiful, sexy and filled with seduction, the ambient beats of Paul Mottram's "Fireflies" set the tone for Jason Wu's decadent and daring collection. Soaked with mystery, wonder and fatalism, Wu's spring aesthetic is strongly tailored, with rich amounts of leather and lace. Vogue empress Anna Wintour sat front row at the Wu show in a vibrant and graphic indigo dress.
Rebecca Minkoff
Known for putting on a good show with great music, Rebecca Minkoff continued this grand gesture with Tennis performing and DJ Cassidy mixing at her show Friday (Sept. 7). Cassidy's rebellious mix perfectly contrasted the charming musical aesthetic of Tennis's "Marathon," as the undulating melodies spoke to the tomboy look Minkoff crafted for fall.
Ryan Lochte and Pippa Middleton kept it casual front row at Minkoff's show, as the DJ mixed songs by Lana Del Rey ("Blue Jeans"), Yelle ("Qui Est Cette Fille"), and Tanlines ("All of Me"). Olympic gold medalist Lochte wore a black vest and jeans as Middleton rocked shorts and a casual cream blouse.
Charlotte Ronson
Samantha Ronson mixed a bewitching summer melody that accentuated her sister Charlotte's feminine and courageous collection with songs by Chairlift ("Sidewalk Safari"), Tweet and Bubba Sparxxx ("Oops, Oh My"), and MDNR ("Feed Me Diamonds"). As a cosmic disco pop beat played, frisky floral skirts and leather jackets marched down the runway.
The show's playlist also featured Friends' "I'm His Girl," Arcade Fire's "Sprawl II," Samantha Ronson and the Undertakers' "Skyscrapers," Florence & the Machine's "Spectrum," and Sandie Shaw's "Always Something There to Remind Me."
Kimora Lee Simmons was spotted at Ronson's show with husband Russell Simmons and their three darling daughters. Kimora was in an all-black creation by CR and Russell was looking hipster in a red and black-checkered shirt. Paris Hilton also graced the front row in a black Ronson dress with graphic red details.
