The Row New York Fashion Week Women’s S/S 2019

Scene setting: Mary-Kate and Ashley Olsen have always eschewed fanfare when presenting their collections for The Row. This season was particularly restrained, with the label inviting guests to get acquainted with the pieces up close and personal in their industrial West Soho showroom. Beautifully presented with a small selection of garments displayed on mannequins, the quiet drama that underpinned the collection easily rang loud and true.
 
Mood board: Volume was a key facet of The Row’s latest offerings with gowns, coats and jackets taking on romantic, cocoon-like silhouettes. Exaggerated details like broad collars and cuffs, together with intricate pleating, brought an architectural sensibility to the striking pieces, while sheer overlays added a soft femininity. As always, tailoring and craftsmanship was at the collection’s core with elegant drapery and fine handwork, such as delicately frayed edges, imbuing a rippling tension to the otherwise stoic pieces. Against all the panache and vibrancy of some of its other counterparts, The Row’s intellectual spin on minimalism packed a powerful punch.
 
Finishing touches: Accessories have always been a strong suit at The Row and for Spring/Summer 2019, pointed kitten-heeled shoes, button-up boots and woven rope sandals served as a grounding force to the classic garments. Awash in oceanic tones of teal, sea green and tan, footwear was also complemented by an array of leather goods which ranged from palm-sized clutches to roomy, top-handled totes in smooth, buttery leather.