What was in my suitcase during New York Fashion Week?

Sneakers, Birkenstocks, and Hokas (but I promise I styled them well!) because the days of hobbling around NYFW are long gone for me, but my passion for the fashion world remains. 

My goal during Fashion Week was to see as much as possible and soak in what has always been the start of the New Year in fashion and retail. While I'm not chasing after the latest runway trends, I am on a mission to learn how brands are innovating, and how customers are engaging with them. 

I attended shows, met with some incredible technology partners, engaged in insightful conversations with merchants and buyers, and observed countless customers all over the city - on the streets and in stores.

What struck me the most was the ever-evolving fashion landscape, which continues to showcase the essence of creativity, innovation, and style that defines our industry. But above all, I couldn't help but be struck by the resurgence of energy and creativity in New York, reminding me why this time of year is always so special!

There was so much to take in, but below are my top 5 insights:

𝐑𝐮𝐥𝐞 𝐚𝐫𝐞 𝐦𝐞𝐚𝐧𝐭 𝐭𝐨 𝐛𝐞 𝐛𝐫𝐨𝐤𝐞𝐧: 
Instead of a traditional runway show, LAPOINTE did a take over of Crosby Street for an open air show "letting go of all the rules and traditions just doing something that feels very true". Innovative approaches were everywhere, from a designer deconstructing a pair of jeans on the runway, to a brand introducing a new color palette by giving away gelato in the exact colors of their products. 

𝐔𝐩𝐜𝐲𝐥𝐞, 𝐑𝐞𝐜𝐲𝐜𝐥𝐞 𝐚𝐧𝐝 𝐔𝐧𝐢𝐜𝐲𝐜𝐥𝐞: 
Sustainability is a non-negotiable for brands and has become a cornerstone of the fashion industry. Designers are incorporating upcycled and recycled materials into their designs, and encouraging and incentivizing customers to recycle their clothing, anywhere and everywhere. 

𝐆𝐞𝐭 𝐢𝐭 𝐰𝐡𝐢𝐥𝐞 𝐢𝐭’𝐬 𝐇𝐨𝐭! 
Scarcity has always been a powerful driver of excitement and demand, and was very present during NYFW. Limited edition collections, short-term pop-up shops, and exclusive collaborations create a sense of urgency and turn the shopping experience into more of a treasure hunt and added to the buzz all over the city.

𝐅𝐮𝐬𝐢𝐨𝐧: 𝐈𝐭’𝐬 𝐍𝐨𝐭 𝐉𝐮𝐬𝐭 𝐟𝐨𝐫 𝐅𝐨𝐨𝐝𝐢𝐞𝐬
It was great to see fashion brands collaborating with artists, designers, musicians and influencers from all over the world, bringing fresh perspectives to the fashion scene.

𝐘𝐨𝐮𝐫 𝐒𝐞𝐜𝐫𝐞𝐭 𝐖𝐞𝐚𝐩𝐨𝐧
QR codes have become fashion's best friend. Customers scan QR codes at fashion shows, in stores to access exclusive content, and street-side to redeem giveaways. A great way to engage with customers; an even better way to collect first-party data.