Joseph Altuzarra’s latest collection for Fall/Winter 2023 was a breath of fresh air amidst the sea of bland brown pantsuits that have become the norm in New York fashion. The collection served as the final chapter of Altuzarra’s four-part study of nature, mythology, and rituals, with a nod to author Charlotte Higgins’ “Greek Myths: A New Retelling” for its female-protagonist point of view.
The designer opened the show with a burst of color, featuring giant parkas with abstract Rorschach prints. These prints were inspired by the ways in which people access magic and creativity, with the goal of making everything feel triumphant, mythic, and fearless. The collection was characterized by long, evening-ready silhouettes, with wrapped, twisted, and knotted leather dresses, mermaid skirts, and draped and hooded grecian jersey goddess gowns.
Altuzarra also incorporated hand-painted and embroidered botanical and feather prints, with the idea of nature overtaking the body. The show closed full-circle with highly crafted satin evening parkas, cut in 1950s and 1960s couture-like shapes, meant for the red carpet.
The designer stated that he felt customers and buyers were looking for emotion, and he delivered with a sensual, mythological-bent repetition. His show was a standout in a sea of caution, offering a lush and exciting escape from the world around us.
In a world where conformity seems to be the norm, Joseph Altuzarra’s collection was a reminder of the importance of embracing imagination and pushing boundaries in fashion.
