Through the bustling streets of Times Square, fashion connoisseurs made their way to the Paradise Club for the debut of Frederick Anderson’s Fall/Winter 2025 presentation. Romance was in the air as Anderson’s mantra of love continued throughout the event. The designer notes Latin music was the most significant throughline that he looked to when evoking romance in his collection.
“Romance isn’t dead,” Anderson shared. “My collection inspirations have included Northern Africa, the Bomba music of Puerto Rico, and now Spain in the early 19th Century. It brought on passionate emotion, rebellion, and individualism. We need to return to this romantic vision.”
The previously stated inclinations came to life through the ensembles draped in lace, sheer fabrics, and ruffled necklines. Throughout the 19th century in Spain, romance was evoked through all forms in art, music, emotions and so on. Nothing was spared when it came to the heart, and in this collection you see that through intimate hues of red, billowing high neck gowns, and striking prints. Before the models walked down the runway, the fashionable audience was serenaded by famed opera singer J’Nai Bridges covering “Habanera” to set the mood.
The collection showcased 41 looks that conveyed the exact sensuality that one could imagine when thinking of romance. It started out with a well-fit suit in a deep red tone and made way for even sexier designs like sheer lace pants with a ruffled lace hemline. A simple halter neck skin-hugging dress. Prints make their way in subtly and then more apparent such as zebra printed maxi dresses and an abstract fur jacket layered over a sheer black polo top and sparkling slacks. More glamour meets the runway with a low cut maxi dress that shined in the spotlight and a funnel neck sheer lace dress with a floral pattern throughout it.
Through the collection, one can see Anderson’s thought patterns grow in the subject romance. The yearning, mystery, and excitement that romance brings is conveyed intentionally and meticulously through the designer’s cuts and patterns. Flowy gowns, and darker hues of usually vibrant shades are used possibly to convey the love, despair, rebellion, and individualism the designer mentioned in his show notes.
“As we enter 2025, I’m feeling that we need a return to a more romantic feeling of mystery, excitement, and remoteness,” the designer added.
