Brandon Maxwell Fall 2023 Ready-to-Wear

Brandon Maxwell Fall 2023 Ready-to-Wear

By: Kate Kimberlin 

American designer Brandon Maxwell rounded out day six of New York Fashion Week with his fall ready-to-wear collection for the year. The Project Runway alum, best known for his longtime collaboration with Lady Gaga, has said he went back to the basics for this collection. Despite a recent focus on virality and achieving mind-bending feats in fashion, Maxwell has appeared to be a front runner in the camp that aims to focus on wardrobe building rather than catching the eye.   

The collection is a muted and serious one for Maxwell. His own luxury ready-to-wear label still holds the same bright colors and splendor that he has come to be known for through designs like Lady Gaga’s 2019 Met Gala looks, so this collection indicates the designer is turning a new leaf. The entire line, with 36 looks in total, was almost completely monochrome. Despite the collection giving off a somber tone, Maxwell said backstage that this recent exploration “came from a place of joy.” 

On the surface, the collection is business-like and grown up, but the most interesting aspect is Maxwell’s experimentation with tailoring. Many looks contained structured blazers paired with loose fitting elastic shorts, which contrasts with the form-fitted gowns and tops seen in other outfits. 

Vogue, in their coverage of the show, made a point that in the latter part of New York Fashion Week, trends start to arise. This collection is a prime example of that. Maxwell’s collection is a pairing of the old and new, mixing the ideas of layering with new silhouettes like relaxed shorts and bell sleeve tops. He also said in an interview with the magazine backstage that evening wear, to him, does not feel like a gown anymore. Hence the emphasis on pants and shorts with different levels of small embellishments and elevated fabrics. Maxwell’s eye for detail and trends is uncanny, a fact he once again proved through this collection. 

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