Jason Wu said he wanted to be a little more free-spirited and unconventional this season.

Beyond the outfit itself, the tempo of the performance truly stood out. Each view was very far apart, which made it look like the models were floating around the venue. Each model entered the Guggenheim’s amphitheater stage and took their time around the auditorium, a notable change from the normal runway pace of fashion. Sebastien Perrin’s slow, melodic, white noise-like soundtrack droned on in the background, further delaying the speed. Wu’s classic collection and the round amphitheater’s curve ultimately created the impression of infinite space. Wu demonstrates the significance of taking a breath and letting the audience absorb the beauty in a field that frequently emphasizes speed.

Jason Wu is known for his ability to create lovely garments; for Fall 2023 he made full use of that talent. Wu’s new collection is both edgy and soft. It uses seductive fabrics and dramatic draping to balance hard and soft perfectly.

“People are aware of my dressmaking skills and my love of lovely ruffles, but I wanted them to see me grow through the exhibition.” “I specialized in menswear tailoring, and there is a lot of that inspiration in the collection,” he said, emphasizing the fusion of trademark sportswear, lingerie references, elegance, and deconstruction. There were, of course, a few delicately lovely, feminine dresses, from ruffled, cascading chiffon dresses and a bias slip dress to cutout, draped jersey dresses and a black bustier ball gown fit for the red carpet.

There was a lot of space between each view, which made it look like the models were floating through the Guggenheim.

The collection, which includes many red-carpet-worthy looks that stylists will like, reflects this emphasis on quality over quantity. Black flowers are accents on elegant silk gowns; the same design is used on big shirts. The collection also features a see-through silk chiffon turtleneck dress and a gold cut-out jersey dress that is timeless and trendy. However, a black ballgown with a tight bustier and a flared silhouette, creating an eye-catching contrast, was the outfit that most effectively moved the drama ahead.

Having said that, there was a glaring lack of body diversity on the catwalk (which, of course, is a challenge for the entire industry), leaving us to ponder how these lovely outfits might have looked on a wider range of body types. With the fall, Wu found his delicate balance.

Pictures Courtesy: Jason Wu