The hot topic of the season has been the idea of restructuring the classic Fashion Week model, and today Wes Gordon joined the ranks of designers forgoing the traditional runway. For Fall 2016, he presented his collection entirely online in a series of nine GIFs posted to his Instagram account. “It can be kind of limiting—four white walls, six minutes to tell our story,” Gordon told WWD. “There are 600 shows on the calendar. As a smaller brand, it’s an opportunity to be mobile, do something different.”
It was a smart move. Rather than focusing on the spectacle of the runway, the video clips allow for the designs to take center stage. Potential customers were able to see the detail of each piece—something Gordon prides himself on—in real world scenarios. Filmed and photographed by Kat Irlin, the imagery focuses on the movement and beauty of his designs, and lets viewers see exactly who the Wes Gordon girl is.
The collection itself played off of some of the more familiar aesthetics of Gordon’s previous collections like the simplicity of his silhouette or the delicate little details of ribbon and lace. There were a number of slim-cut slip dresses, panels of sheer lace on jacket sleeves and skirt slits, as well as feminine details like ruffled collars and bow ties that were balanced with more masculine trousers and coats. A collection favorite was a drop-waist dress with a ruffled skirt done in a sheer, baby blue silk.
