Irina Shabayeva SS17 NYFW Runway Show

By Antea Gatalica
September 11, 2016

Twenty minutes after the hour, a packed ballroom of onlookers anxiously awaited Irina Shabayeva’s New York Fashion Week event at the Manhattan NYC, an Affinia hotel. The room’s over-the-top chandeliers glistened as Rihanna and Jay-Z came through the speakers, and the lights slowly dimmed for first looks. Instantly, we were hit with an all black, two-piece look, the designer’s signature style.

​Shabayeva’s designs rarely stray from a monochrome template - something the Project Runway Season 6 winner was initially criticized for on the show. Ultimately, Heidi Klum told Shabayeva her line was “sleek, modern and cohesive” and “it told a story,” which Shabayeva was able to convey yet again, nearly 7 years later. Something we love about Shabayeva’s designs is that she’s not afraid of texture. The New York City based designer accented her pieces with feathers and lace, using chiffon to bolster the looks. Her collection graced us with hats, billowy skirts, dresses, and tops, and even pieces that mimicked her bridal couture. “I love comfortable fabrics,” Shabayeva says of her ready-to-wear work.
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Many of the looks were reminiscent of beautiful tutus, and the monochrome addition made it feel Black Swan like, which makes us wonder if she found a muse in her ballerina client Misty Copeland. One of our favorite pieces of the evening strayed from Shabayeva’s usual singular color scheme – a feathered two-toned jacket, a statement piece any fashion girl lives for. Bravo, Irina! We look forward to more.