Held at the Brooklyn Navy Yard, the Christopher John Rogers Resort 2024 (Cruise 2024) collection demonstrated the designer’s relentless passion for his craft and captivated the audience, including stars such as Quinta Brunson, Teyana Taylor and Ashley Graham, all donning Rogers’ designs.
Last June, Christopher John Rogers took the fashion world by storm with his once-a-year fashion show. This time around, he chose the last Saturday in April, strategically coinciding with the Met Gala buzz. The event was held at the Brooklyn Navy Yard, marking the beginning of an extensive night of fashion, followed by an after-party at the Standard Hotel and a Gucci gathering featuring an Idris Elba DJ set.
Rogers has solidified his place as a leading designer of New York’s young generation. His identifiable signatures, like rainbow stripes and grids of colorful polka dots, have become essential elements of his brand-building efforts. His designs, which exude an uptown and polished aesthetic, have adorned celebrities like Viola Davis, Tessa Thompson and Jodie Turner-Smith on the red carpet.
Despite his success, Rogers shared his disillusionment with the role of a fashion designer during a pre-show call, lamenting the limited time spent in the design studio. He stated, “I love being with a model and draping, or doing research, or really thinking about fit, about fabric, about texture, but I feel like only 10 to 15% of what I do is making clothes“. This collection was inspired by Rogers’ desire to reconnect with the essence of design.
The show opened with a sleeveless top and ball skirt in all-white, hinting at a new direction for Rogers. However, the designer quickly returned to his signature vivid colors and unbridled exuberance. Bold florals reminiscent of Warhol’s daisies joined Rogers’ well-known graphic stripes, while black-and-white polka dots adorned red carpet-ready evening dresses. Playful going-out tops constructed like oversized birthday present bows further showcased his creativity.
Rogers’ knitwear, popular among his clientele, also made an appearance, featuring chunky yarns, thick layers, and fine gauges styled to reveal hints of décolleté or midriff. Contrasting textures were found in an elegant fitted button-down, a matching long skirt, and a pantsuit crafted from a shiny, coated taffeta reminiscent of garbage bags. The collection concluded with a series of black ensembles, including a panniered ball skirt and a draped top echoing the romance of the opening outfit.
As Rogers’ business flourishes, he will undoubtedly face increased pressures and responsibilities that may draw him away from the design studio. The fashion industry often demands growth and evolution from promising newcomers, while simultaneously attempting to pigeonhole them. However, Christopher John Rogers Resort 2024 collection showcases his unwavering dedication to the creative process and the dream of design, making it clear that he is here to stay.
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