Glitz. Glamour. Drama. All of these adjectives describe the brand’s ethos. Think about it. The brand has dressed stars like Janet Jackson, Summer Walker, Heidi Klum, and Billy Porter, to name a few while making sure that each of their own personal aesthetics shines through while parsing it through the brand’s glam-performance chic vision. So, imagine my shock when I received an invitation to attend The Blonds FW23.
Spring Studios. It’s where most of the action takes place during New York Fashion Week. Upon arriving, I moved through a line of eager attendees anxiously waiting to get to their seats. As I spotted mine and began to sit, I noticed the decadent stage design. The show, riddled with diamonds, crystals, and stones, had a connotation of wealth, sophistication, and edginess that we associate with the brand.
After celebs like Jaida Essence Hall—the twelfth season winner of RuPaul’s Drag Race, took their seats and the lights began to dim, and an infectious beat, one that resembles what you would hum in your head while strutting down your respective streets and feeling all of your natural oats, begins to play.
Inspired by her films, such as Valley of The Dolls, Breakfast at Tiffany’s, and Butterfield 8, the collection finds influence in her obsession with jewelry. In essence, The Blonds states that the FW23 line is about Taylor’s love for jewelry being “brought to a larger-than-life scale in an epic tale of what happens when we fall in and out of love and dream the romantic dream of that perfect someone.”
Models—donning teased and stacked hair reminiscent of the ‘60s and Christian Louboutin heels—marched out in jewel-themed looks that resonated with the collection’s Elizabeth Taylor theme. One after the other, jewel-tone hued ensembles in the form of strapless dresses—adorned with affixed gemstones on the front and accented by crystals to midi dresses in popping sequins with plunging necklines, the collection supplied beauty and grandeur to the highest degree.
Also, peplum corseted tops and gemstone embellished bandeau tops made an appearance, teamed with sleek black leggings for one look and a velvet draped skirt for the other. While these statement-making looks garnered “ooohs” and “ahhs” from nearby attendees, the stars of the show were the eveningwear looks. Multiple, bold, and vibrantly colored numbers, some with black velvet ties and others secured by corsetry, found their way on the runway. With silhouettes like droopy, draped mini dresses and decadent midis, these garments served grace on the runway.
Perhaps one of the most talked about show moments of The Blonds FW23 show was when Dominique Jackson sauntered down the runway in the slinky, opulent way that we know her to—whether that was due to her portrayal of Mother Elektra on Pose or her recent campaigns and runways with Mugler, she has solidified that she’s one of the models that everyone should keep their eye on. While wearing a black corset with a giant diamond strapped to her chest paired with black fishnets, platform Louboutin heels, a ’70s style afro, and a big white faux fur coat, Jackson is the perfect example of what a runway closer should be: sickening.
At the end of this glittering spectacle, Diana Ross’ “The Boss” rang out into the audience as showgoers cooed and screamed adulations at the models. It was a night filled with wonderment and dazzlement that people hummed the melody of the infectious tune, in which Ross dictates that love was the boss. And with a show as stunning as The Blonds FW23.
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