Öhlin/D autumn/winter 2017 collection presentation for NYFW

When it came to their autumn/winter 2017, Öhlin/D eschewed a traditional runway show and opted for a whimsical presentation. Set in the showroom of a high-end lighting company, the presentation sprawled out over three impeccably decorated floors of the vintage building.  The designers used the incredible space to their advantage and managed to create elegant tableau vivants of models wearing their latest collection.

The collection itself was inspired by quirky teachers and librarians. The creative director, Jacob Park, said that he often felt fashion didn’t always embrace this version of the modern woman and wanted to give her some time in the spotlight.  The designer did this by creating an absolute retro fantasy wardrobe of highly patterned knits, jumpsuits and pussy bow blouses.  Additionally, they worked with an independent artist (as they do every season) to create watercolor images for their garments that look like they would have been worn by the coolest 1970s art teacher around.

It should be noted Öhlin/D isn’t just taking inspiration from teachers. Park also stated that they feel that this is an important time to support education-and part of their presentation was a fundraiser to support DreamYard, a charity dedicated to arts education. This ties in closely with the brand’s strong values and commitment to ethical fashion that runs through their collections every season.

While this brand may be fairly new, they clearly have a strong point of view that they are able to communicate. Combining their strong brand vision with their commitment to ethical fashion and pushing their designs by collaborating with other artists, this will be a brand to watch in seasons to come.

Maggie Gillette
Photos: Stephanie Chang