On the first day of New York Fashion Week, Tadashi Shoji took fashionistas to an Asian travelogue as he reinterpreted and reimagined the traditional dresses of South Asia while incorporating into it the magnificent landscape and wonderful blossoms of the region.
Southeast Asia with its diverse landscape and culture is a kaleidoscope of shapes and color. From the palette of shiny gold stupas to the floating markets then to the elegant silk brocades arise graceful proportions.
Luxurious one-shoulder folds hint at the shawl-like sabai, and a glimpse of a midriff entices a longer gaze. Buddhist monks inspire tailored draping that wraps around the body in flattering sweeps.
Dazzling temples with rich ornamentation that reveal each culture’s artistic expression instigate architectural silhouettes. Pleated-tulle tiers with pronounced seams mimic the visual rhythms created by steep, layered roofs. Stupas with elaborate moldings and crown-like spires inspire detailed and intricate textures.
On his press notes, Tadashi Shoji wrote, “a visit to Southeast Asia promises cultural intrigue. Each trip to Southeast Asia is a journey to enchantment, where warm welcomes and perpetual allure suggest there is always more to discover.”
This is exactly how his audience felt as each exit came to view, everyone promising more secrets to discover!
NEW YORK, NY – FEBRUARY 07: A model walks the runway in look 1 for the Tadashi Shoji FW’19 Fashion Show during New York Fashion Week: The Shows at Gallery I at Spring Studios on February 7, 2019 in New York City. (Photo by Mike Coppola/Getty Images for Tadashi Shoji)
NEW YORK, NY – FEBRUARY 07: A model walks the runway in look 2 for the Tadashi Shoji FW’19 Fashion Show during New York Fashion Week: The Shows at Gallery I at Spring Studios on February 7, 2019 in New York City. (Photo by Mike Coppola/Getty Images for Tadashi Shoji)
NEW YORK, NY – FEBRUARY 07: A model walks the runway in look 3 for the Tadashi Shoji FW’19 Fashion Show during New York Fashion Week: The Shows at Gallery I at Spring Studios on February 7, 2019 in New York City. (Photo by Mike Coppola/Getty Images for Tadashi Shoji)
NEW YORK, NY – FEBRUARY 07: A model walks the runway for the Tadashi Shoji FW’19 Fashion Show during New York Fashion Week: The Shows at Gallery I at Spring Studios on February 7, 2019 in New York City. (Photo by Mike Coppola/Getty Images for Tadashi Shoji)
NEW YORK, NY – FEBRUARY 07: A model walks the runway in look 5 for the Tadashi Shoji FW’19 Fashion Show during New York Fashion Week: The Shows at Gallery I at Spring Studios on February 7, 2019 in New York City. (Photo by Mike Coppola/Getty Images for Tadashi Shoji)
NEW YORK, NY – FEBRUARY 07: A model walks the runway in look 6 for the Tadashi Shoji FW’19 Fashion Show during New York Fashion Week: The Shows at Gallery I at Spring Studios on February 7, 2019 in New York City. (Photo by Mike Coppola/Getty Images for Tadashi Shoji)
NEW YORK, NY – FEBRUARY 07: A model walks the runway in look 7 for the Tadashi Shoji FW’19 Fashion Show during New York Fashion Week: The Shows at Gallery I at Spring Studios on February 7, 2019 in New York City. (Photo by Mike Coppola/Getty Images for Tadashi Shoji)
NEW YORK, NY – FEBRUARY 07: A model walks the runway in look 8 for the Tadashi Shoji FW’19 Fashion Show during New York Fashion Week: The Shows at Gallery I at Spring Studios on February 7, 2019 in New York City. (Photo by Mike Coppola/Getty Images for Tadashi Shoji)
NEW YORK, NY – FEBRUARY 07: A model walks the runway in look 9 for the Tadashi Shoji FW’19 Fashion Show during New York Fashion Week: The Shows at Gallery I at Spring Studios on February 7, 2019 in New York City. (Photo by Mike Coppola/Getty Images for Tadashi Shoji)
NEW YORK, NY – FEBRUARY 07: A model walks the runway in look 10 for the Tadashi Shoji FW’19 Fashion Show during New York Fashion Week: The Shows at Gallery I at Spring Studios on February 7, 2019 in New York City. (Photo by Mike Coppola/Getty Images for Tadashi Shoji)
NEW YORK, NY – FEBRUARY 07: A model walks the runway in look 11 for the Tadashi Shoji FW’19 Fashion Show during New York Fashion Week: The Shows at Gallery I at Spring Studios on February 7, 2019 in New York City. (Photo by Mike Coppola/Getty Images for Tadashi Shoji)
NEW YORK, NY – FEBRUARY 07: A model walks the runway in look 12 for the Tadashi Shoji FW’19 Fashion Show during New York Fashion Week: The Shows at Gallery I at Spring Studios on February 7, 2019 in New York City. (Photo by Mike Coppola/Getty Images for Tadashi Shoji)
NEW YORK, NY – FEBRUARY 07: A model walks the runway in look 13 for the Tadashi Shoji FW’19 Fashion Show during New York Fashion Week: The Shows at Gallery I at Spring Studios on February 7, 2019 in New York City. (Photo by Mike Coppola/Getty Images for Tadashi Shoji)
NEW YORK, NY – FEBRUARY 07: A model walks the runway in look 14 for the Tadashi Shoji FW’19 Fashion Show during New York Fashion Week: The Shows at Gallery I at Spring Studios on February 7, 2019 in New York City. (Photo by Mike Coppola/Getty Images for Tadashi Shoji)
NEW YORK, NY – FEBRUARY 07: A model walks the runway in look 15 for the Tadashi Shoji FW’19 Fashion Show during New York Fashion Week: The Shows at Gallery I at Spring Studios on February 7, 2019 in New York City. (Photo by Mike Coppola/Getty Images for Tadashi Shoji)
NEW YORK, NY – FEBRUARY 07: A model walks the runway in look 16 for the Tadashi Shoji FW’19 Fashion Show during New York Fashion Week: The Shows at Gallery I at Spring Studios on February 7, 2019 in New York City. (Photo by Mike Coppola/Getty Images for Tadashi Shoji)
NEW YORK, NY – FEBRUARY 07: A model walks the runway in look 17 for the Tadashi Shoji FW’19 Fashion Show during New York Fashion Week: The Shows at Gallery I at Spring Studios on February 7, 2019 in New York City. (Photo by Mike Coppola/Getty Images for Tadashi Shoji)
NEW YORK, NY – FEBRUARY 07: A model walks the runway in look 18 for the Tadashi Shoji FW’19 Fashion Show during New York Fashion Week: The Shows at Gallery I at Spring Studios on February 7, 2019 in New York City. (Photo by Mike Coppola/Getty Images for Tadashi Shoji)
NEW YORK, NY – FEBRUARY 07: A model walks the runway in look 19 for the Tadashi Shoji FW’19 Fashion Show during New York Fashion Week: The Shows at Gallery I at Spring Studios on February 7, 2019 in New York City. (Photo by Mike Coppola/Getty Images for Tadashi Shoji)
NEW YORK, NY – FEBRUARY 07: A model walks the runway in look 20 for the Tadashi Shoji FW’19 Fashion Show during New York Fashion Week: The Shows at Gallery I at Spring Studios on February 7, 2019 in New York City. (Photo by Mike Coppola/Getty Images for Tadashi Shoji)
NEW YORK, NY – FEBRUARY 07: A model walks the runway in look 21 for the Tadashi Shoji FW’19 Fashion Show during New York Fashion Week: The Shows at Gallery I at Spring Studios on February 7, 2019 in New York City. (Photo by Mike Coppola/Getty Images for Tadashi Shoji)
NEW YORK, NY – FEBRUARY 07: A model walks the runway in look 22 for the Tadashi Shoji FW’19 Fashion Show during New York Fashion Week: The Shows at Gallery I at Spring Studios on February 7, 2019 in New York City. (Photo by Mike Coppola/Getty Images for Tadashi Shoji)
NEW YORK, NY – FEBRUARY 07: A model walks the runway in look 23 for the Tadashi Shoji FW’19 Fashion Show during New York Fashion Week: The Shows at Gallery I at Spring Studios on February 7, 2019 in New York City. (Photo by Mike Coppola/Getty Images for Tadashi Shoji)
NEW YORK, NY – FEBRUARY 07: A model walks the runway in look 24 for the Tadashi Shoji FW’19 Fashion Show during New York Fashion Week: The Shows at Gallery I at Spring Studios on February 7, 2019 in New York City. (Photo by Mike Coppola/Getty Images for Tadashi Shoji)
NEW YORK, NY – FEBRUARY 07: A model walks the runway in look 25 for the Tadashi Shoji FW’19 Fashion Show during New York Fashion Week: The Shows at Gallery I at Spring Studios on February 7, 2019 in New York City. (Photo by Mike Coppola/Getty Images for Tadashi Shoji)
NEW YORK, NY – FEBRUARY 07: A model walks the runway in look 26 for the Tadashi Shoji FW’19 Fashion Show during New York Fashion Week: The Shows at Gallery I at Spring Studios on February 7, 2019 in New York City. (Photo by Mike Coppola/Getty Images for Tadashi Shoji)
NEW YORK, NY – FEBRUARY 07: A model walks the runway in look 27 for the Tadashi Shoji FW’19 Fashion Show during New York Fashion Week: The Shows at Gallery I at Spring Studios on February 7, 2019 in New York City. (Photo by Mike Coppola/Getty Images for Tadashi Shoji)
NEW YORK, NY – FEBRUARY 07: A model walks the runway in look 28 for the Tadashi Shoji FW’19 Fashion Show during New York Fashion Week: The Shows at Gallery I at Spring Studios on February 7, 2019 in New York City. (Photo by Mike Coppola/Getty Images for Tadashi Shoji)
NEW YORK, NY – FEBRUARY 07: A model walks the runway in look 29 for the Tadashi Shoji FW’19 Fashion Show during New York Fashion Week: The Shows at Gallery I at Spring Studios on February 7, 2019 in New York City. (Photo by Mike Coppola/Getty Images for Tadashi Shoji)
NEW YORK, NY – FEBRUARY 07: A model walks the runway in look 30 for the Tadashi Shoji FW’19 Fashion Show during New York Fashion Week: The Shows at Gallery I at Spring Studios on February 7, 2019 in New York City. (Photo by Mike Coppola/Getty Images for Tadashi Shoji)
NEW YORK, NY – FEBRUARY 07: A model walks the runway in look 31 for the Tadashi Shoji FW’19 Fashion Show during New York Fashion Week: The Shows at Gallery I at Spring Studios on February 7, 2019 in New York City. (Photo by Mike Coppola/Getty Images for Tadashi Shoji)
NEW YORK, NY – FEBRUARY 07: A model walks the runway in look 32 for the Tadashi Shoji FW’19 Fashion Show during New York Fashion Week: The Shows at Gallery I at Spring Studios on February 7, 2019 in New York City. (Photo by Mike Coppola/Getty Images for Tadashi Shoji)
NEW YORK, NY – FEBRUARY 07: A model walks the runway in look 33 for the Tadashi Shoji FW’19 Fashion Show during New York Fashion Week: The Shows at Gallery I at Spring Studios on February 7, 2019 in New York City. (Photo by Mike Coppola/Getty Images for Tadashi Shoji)
NEW YORK, NY – FEBRUARY 07: A model walks the runway in look 34 for the Tadashi Shoji FW’19 Fashion Show during New York Fashion Week: The Shows at Gallery I at Spring Studios on February 7, 2019 in New York City. (Photo by Mike Coppola/Getty Images for Tadashi Shoji)
NEW YORK, NY – FEBRUARY 07: A model walks the runway in look 35 for the Tadashi Shoji FW’19 Fashion Show during New York Fashion Week: The Shows at Gallery I at Spring Studios on February 7, 2019 in New York City. (Photo by Mike Coppola/Getty Images for Tadashi Shoji)
NEW YORK, NY – FEBRUARY 07: A model walks the runway in look 36 for the Tadashi Shoji FW’19 Fashion Show during New York Fashion Week: The Shows at Gallery I at Spring Studios on February 7, 2019 in New York City. (Photo by Mike Coppola/Getty Images for Tadashi Shoji)
NEW YORK, NY – FEBRUARY 07: A model walks the runway in look 37 in look for the Tadashi Shoji FW’19 Fashion Show during New York Fashion Week: The Shows at Gallery I at Spring Studios on February 7, 2019 in New York City. (Photo by Mike Coppola/Getty Images for Tadashi Shoji)
Photos courtesy of Tadashi Shoji