If your tenure in the fashion industry dates to New York Fashion Week (NYFW) at Bryant Park, there is much discussion about the lack of glamorous fashion collections that send your heart facing and quickens your pulse. Oh, the glory days of the supermodels—Claudia, Cyndy, Naomi, Linda, Christy—and all the other glamazons of days of yore!! There is also much banter about the collections of Isaac Mizrahi, Monique Lhuillier—when she still showed in New York City—Ralph Rucci, and even Venexiana.
Those days are gone, but not necessarily the glamour. Enter NARDOS.
If NARDOS didn’t bring sexy back, she absolutely brought the glamor and sophistication that so many industry professionals of a certain age and era long for. And the brand employs a design aesthetic that will also appeal to younger industry professionals and consumers. Think HBO’s “Gilded Age” updated to 2023.
NARDOS made its New York debut in April 2023, presenting its eponymous bridal collection. For those who attended this incredible debut, housed in the Grand Ballroom at the Plaza Hotel, could predict that the brands ready-to-wear collection would be as glamorous and auspicious at the brand’s bridal collection. And those predictions went beyond expectation during NYFW.
For the brands NYFW debut, creative director Nardos Imam was inspired by the charm of Venetian glass and its juxtaposition to blossoming flora. Entitled “Venetian Blooms,” this collection is a journey through a world where fashion becomes a canvas, each garment a masterpiece that marries the enchantment of petals with the grandeur of architectural inspiration. And there is no better place to take this grand journey than at the St. Regis Hotel, the venue for this spring 2024 ready-to-wear collection.
Nardos incorporated the blossoming aspect of this spring 2024 inspiration by including floral embellishments on several of the gowns. There are also lots of floral prints in this ready-to-wear outing that also reflect Imam’s inspiration.
That said, what works so well in this debut ready-to-wear collection is Nardos Imam’s ability to marry classic, luxury silhouette with a modern sensibility sets her apart from many designers who consistently show luxury red carpet looks during NYFW. And what also stood out in this collection was Nardos Imam’s skill at picking the correct model for the correct garment. Something is that is sorely missing from many fashion collections this season.
Images courtesy of Atelier PR
Standout looks in this collection, and there were many, were the vivid tea-length dress in bright red, crafted from exquisite French lace, enhanced with a satin-faced organza rosette belt, white button-down shirt dress with a tulle skirt overlay paired with a corset and shorts ensemble, Venetian glass-inspired gown featuring sweetheart iridescent fringe, exquisite floral embroidery and sterling silver floral accents, and the V-neckline floral applique hot pink gown adorned with draped rosettes.
—William S. Gooch
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