9 . L E A T H E R L O V E

Leather loses its rugged outerwear demeanor and becomes sensuous and supple for next fall Brandon Maxwell tailored burnished skins into a plunge-neck maxi dress, while Proenza

Schouler gathered scarlet leather into an easy strapless number Hanako Maeda of Adeam went for a soft-punk look with a harnessed camel leather frock over a matching bandeau and flare-leg “chaps”

Coach’s Stuart Vevers was true to the house’s leather-craft history with body-skimming separates in a 70s-inflected patchwork Bibhu Mohapatra used vegan leather for a midi-skirt emblazoned with crystal-studded embroidery, and Ulla Johnson enlivened an oversized leather shirt jacket with big hand-painted flowers

Gary Wassner’s “Ones to Watch” feature – highlighting ascendent fashion designers and brands – includes RENTRAYAGE, Bach Mai, Custo Barcelona, Puppets and Puppets, DUR DOUX, and Victor De Souza

“It is critical to the continued development of American designers to support and acknowledge their creativity and innovation, ” says Gary Wassner, Hilldun CEO “Every season I am awed by the emergence of such incredible new talent during NYFW”