Visual Editor: Ruben Ramos
Adachi Pimentel, @adachiphoto
It was the Philadelphia-based, New York–born photographer Adachi’s birthday on Afropunk’s first day, which in some ways contributed to her slightly holographic, breezy look. “I think that subconsciously I wanted to start my year off light,” she says. “I wanted to wear light colors and feel light.”
Jamar Robinson, @its_jamar; Lamar Dobbins, @dospapis; and Julian Gonzalez, @jgonzoo
These three teenaged skaters went against the grain a bit by eschewing the festival’s unofficial dress code that tends towards extravagance. As Lamar Dobbins explains, “It’s Afropunk so no one’s really going to judge what you’re wearing. I just put on regular attire, what I wear every day.”
Grace
Grace traveled all the way from the U.K. for the Brooklyn edition of Afropunk, and she described her chic look as “an amalgamation of everything I like,” from some ’70s influences to Afro-inspired makeup, all topped off with a nod to Paris in her red beret. She says that Afropunk’s focus on community is more important now than it has ever been before, as “there’s a wider movement of defiance almost and just not accepting what we’re told is the norm,” acknowledging that the only antidote is, “inclusion in every sense.”
Jeramiah Irwin, @jerairwin
The Jersey City–based designer attended Afropunk for the first time last year, and the festival’s accepting ethos made him come back again this year. “I love festivals in general, but this one to me is so different. Everyone is so friendly. There’s no judgment,” he says. “It’s really true what they say—the no sexism, no homophobia here.” And given the opportunity to fully express himself, Jeremiah chose a denim corset and ripped jeans that were inspired by the pop-country music he’s been listening to. Says Irwin, “I was going to wear a cowboy hat, but I’m saving that for later.”
COTERIE New York teamed up with fashion stylist Caitlin Burke to share a singular interpretation of SS25's top trends.
LOGO HERE
GARDEN OF DREAMS
Celebrated New York City fashion stylist Caitlin Burke (formerly Moda Operandi, Harper’s Bazaar, Cosmopolitan International) brought her sartorial magic to COTERIE New York this September. Her vision for the season was captured in a stunning collaboration with COTERIE New York and the photographers Reiner Carlos and Brittany Alyse of Carlos + Alyse. Let the nature-inspired beauty of “Garden of Dreams” immerse you in SS25’s most relevant trends seen among brands at COTERIE New York.
SURREAL BLOOM
Mirroring the Surreal Bloom trend featured in MMGNET’s SS25 Women’s Advanced Contemporary Buyer’s Guide, flowers of all shapes and silhouettes permeate “Garden of Dreams”. Burke had fun styling flower-like garments and accessories that shone even brighter with the images of actual floral photography on set. “We tried to use some of the shapes of the clothes to mirror the shapes of flowers you’d see in nature, taking this idea of raw, organic materials and using it throughout the shoot as a connecting thread. When I walked the floor of COTERIE New York, I was really looking for pieces that had that kind of extra interest in the materials and the form,” Burke says.
For example, Edward Achour’s white dress with a sculptural hem and sleeves immediately brings images of flowers to mind. In another example, Burke chose a soft yet dramatic folded top by Yavorska that reminded her of a blooming dahlia and paired it with a voluminous Y-Y skirt that also played with pleats and folds. Yavorska designer Iwona Jaworska says, “in design, I combine new styles with old traditions. Fashion is not just about looks, but also about representing our culture and expressing creativity.”
Skirt by Y-Y Top by Yavorska
The soft pastels of an embellished C-Zanne skirt and bra set featured organic, natural garden tones, a perfect addition to support the editorial’s theme. The sheer portion of the skirt embodies the current sheer trend aesthetic that has lasted for many seasons. SS25’s sheer isn’t about daring exposure but more of a light and airy accent that still leaves much to the imagination. In another look, the bottom portion of a midi suit skirt by Fleno also features sheer fabric in the name of a soft aesthetic and visual interest.
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Dress by l'eau et Corset by 0770
STACKABLE ESSENTIALS
For one of her favorite looks of the editorial, Burke used a 0770 belt as if it were a corset and layered it over a light and airy dress featuring inventive, 3D flowers that appear to have dripping stems. The softness of the dress, and the weight and toughness of the belt, created a beautiful juxtaposition. 0770 held similar aesthetic visions for their SS25 collection of leather accessories. "Drawing inspiration from contemporary architecture and natural forms, the SS25 collection merges structure and softness, creating accessories that are both artful and functional,” says the brand’s co-founder, Irene De Caprio. “Every detail—from clean lines to perforated finishes—echoes the simplicity of nature and the harmony of modern spaces, turning each piece into a celebration of style and craftsmanship."
Discover more exciting brands and trends at COTERIE New York February 18-20, 2025.
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Looking for more trend content? Discover the SS25 Women's Trends Digital Session. REGISTER TO WATCH
Studio Production Credits:
Producers: Gauge Theory Creative Stylist: CAITLIN BURKE; Photographers:brittany Alyse & reiner carlos;
Assistant Stylists: tyler lee sparling & marina lazakovich Photo Assistant: brandon jones Hair & Makeup: morningstar jackson
Model: rachel fox
Jamar Robinson, @its_jamar; Lamar Dobbins, @dospapis; and Julian Gonzalez, @jgonzoo
These three teenaged skaters went against the grain a bit by eschewing the festival’s unofficial dress code that tends towards extravagance. As Lamar Dobbins explains, “It’s Afropunk so no one’s really going to judge what you’re wearing. I just put on regular attire, what I wear every day.”
Matching Set by c-zanne
sENSUAL BASICS
TEXTURED CRAFTSMANSHIP
“Garden of Dreams” also put the spotlight on a trend that has persisted for many seasons — Textured Craftsmanship. Burke experimented with surprising textures and gravitated towards designs built from unexpected materials. A dress from Christie Brown’s SS25 collection embodied the movement to perfection. “I was drawn to the juxtaposition of the materials…it just really stood out to me on the COTERIE New York floor. It felt like something special that would really fit along with our theme,” says Burke. "This season the woman is on the move,” says Christie Brown’s creative director, Aisha Ayensu. “She’s embracing movement, both physically and metaphorically. It’s a celebration of athleticism and refined style, where the energy of sports meets the Christie Brown sophistication.”
Crochet and openwork knits, such as those featured in MMGNET’s SS25 Women’s Contemporary Buyer’s Guide, were also incorporated in the form of a striking Ofhandmade top and a House of Pernia bag which were styled with a textured denim maxi skirt with a raw fringed hem. Burke notes the prevalence of crochet across elevated collections. No longer reserved for resortwear alone, crochet appears in suits, accessories, and other unexpected styles.
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Dress by edward achour
Silk Dress by pheme Jacket and Shirt by fleno
Crochet Dress by cupido Skirt by hannah shin
Dress by christie brown
Top by ofhandmade Skirt by spring affair Bag by house of perna
Published November 2024
Matching Set by pheme
Jacket and Skirt by herskind Bag by dierneas
Skirt by suSANa monaco Top by hannah shin
Dress by Y-Y
Jacket and Skirt by herskind Bag by direness