‘The Rich Look’ Dominated the Evening Collections at NYFW for Fall 2025
It’s been said luxury may be losing its luster, but New York’s eveningwear designers are having a hard time letting go. Their collections this season underscored formality with sumptuous satins and velvets, jewel tones, faux-jewel beading and neat volumes.
From the British Royal Crown references at Markarian and Pamella Roland to the ’80s excess of Tanya Taylor’s new Delphine line, this season was monied glamour all the way. Even if you can’t be rich, it’ll be in vogue to look it come fall.
Here, the fall 2025 eveningwear collections from New York Fashion Week.
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Delphine Fall 2025: Go-going Back to the ’80s
Image Credit: Courtesy of Delphine Delphine, the name of Tanya Taylor’s coquettish alter ego and her new party wear venture, presented its second collection with an ‘80s camp attitude.
The look: Alexis Carrington of “Dynasty” meets Cher from “Clueless”
Quote of note: “I love the ‘80s. I’m an ‘80s baby,” Taylor said during a preview at her Meatpacking District home. Growing up, she would watch her mom get glam for events, usually dressing in micro-minidresses with all sorts of festive ruffles, puffs and bows. “I just wanted to bring a little of that to how we all go out at night, but in a more modern way,” she added.
Standout pieces: Drop-waist velvet minis with contrasting taffeta poufs; meaty satin baby dolls embellished with marabou feathers; tulip-hem cocktails in black and pink with sweetheart necklines and enormous bow attachments; plunging chocolate and crimson halter gowns with draped waists.
Takeaway: Though she isn’t planning to scale Delphine’s reach to that of her mainline, Taylor continued to lay the groundwork for what could be a commercial success, offering a lot of look at an accessible price.
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Naeem Khan Fall 2025: From Dubai With Love
Image Credit: Courtesy of Naeem Khan Merchants have been requesting that Khan to dial up the opulence. And he did with references to his travels in the Middle East.
The look: Dubai bling
Quote of note: “Things have been a bit of a roller coaster for me over the last year,” Khan said via phone, recounting his father’s passing and recent engagement ceremony in India. “I decided that this season I should take a little rest from doing a show.…I was in Dubai, I was in Qatar, I was in Riyadh, so the collection is based on the lifestyle of my clients there. These are wealthy women who have social events, or dinners at home, so the collection is designed to entertain.”
Standout pieces: A structured jacket and cocktail dress with glimmering Taj Mahal motifs; impeccably tailored Maharaja coats; a drop-waist black velvet pouf with gold raffia flowers; column gowns with stand-away busts and blooming floral embroideries; ‘90s-looking compact stretch sequin gowns; emerald and merlot crepe caftans; a ravishing black feathered drop-waist gown with a full gazar skirt and glass beaded cinch-waist.
Takeaway: It’s a shame Khan chose to skip out on a show because these dresses would’ve put on a good one. That said, the appointment model was better to appreciate their exquisite workmanship up close.
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Pamella Roland Fall 2025: London Calling
Image Credit: Courtesy of Pamella Roland A fog machine transported attendees to London at Pamella Roland’s show, which opened with what else, but a trenchcoat?
The look: Hot young royal on a pub crawl.
Quote of note: During a pre-show interview, Roland said she and her team have been spending a lot of time in London prepping costumes for “The Devil Wears Prada” musical. “Looking around at the landmarks and the different landscapes, I thought ‘my goodness, this is perfect inspiration.’” Roland continued to list colors: green for Hyde Park, red for double-decker buses and pewter for the Thames. And gold, of course. “It’s very regal.”
Standout pieces: A languid trench in olive silk; amethyst floral jacquard tailoring; a pewter velvet bias slip with embellished cowl; a leopard printed chiffon goddess maxi and beaded zebra wiggle dress with cat-eye bustier; dazzling gold and copper columns; a draped single-shoulder gown in crimson with rose motifs and pockets.
Takeaway: Roland was smart to forsake an all-too-obvious princess theme, which comes with her territory. So she skewed toward a sexier look with closer fits, slits and those animal prints. Roar.
