Haley Lu Richardson at the Kate Spade Fall 2023 Presentation
Kate Spade Designers Talk Dressing Haley Lu Richardson and the Brand's New Direction
Walking into the Kate Spade New York Fall 2023 presentation and immediately laying eyes on Haley Lu Richardson in a yellow skirt suit was, to put it simply, a vibe. It set the tone for the entire event, which was held at the Whitney Museum of American Art and used the Hudson River as a backdrop.
"We wanted to harness the energy of a restart or a blank canvas. Fall always feels like the beginning, doesn't it?"
The "White Lotus" actress's outfit was reflective of the new collection's theme. The latest offering celebrates a return to the joy of getting dressed, and Richardson's textured blazer and skirt, leopard pussy-bow blouse, and embellished tote was nothing if not joyful. But it was also a touch quirky, like something her eclectic character Portia might choose to wear.
Richardson's dirty-blond hair was parted at the side and fastened into a relaxed chignon. Her makeup was fittingly '60s, with a darkly lined eye, rosy cheeks, and a shiny pink lip, and she finished the look with a jet-black manicure. Tom Mora, Kate Spade's SVP and Head of Design, RTW, and Lifestyle, revealed that Richardson and her team of stylists had the skirt silhouette altered into a mini, to evoke a more youthful mood.
Youthfulness, optimism, and joy are at the center of the Kate Spade brand ethos. Together with Jennifer Lyu, SVP and Head of Design, Leather Goods, and Accessories, Mora wanted to present customers with "fall in New York," he told POPSUGAR. He described it as a blank canvas — when you return to the city after a long summer and can't wait to explore new restaurants and landmarks with friends, delighting in everything NYC has to offer.
Vibrant hues were the key element Mora and Lyu used to express the energy of the lineup, highlighting the newly-minted, signature Pantone color Kate Spade Green, which exudes positivity. From the sequined suits and graphic prints to the fuzzy striped stoles and beanies, it's obvious that dopamine dressing is largely at play this season. Of course, the bags are works of art in and of themselves, lending eye-catching shapes and textures to the lineup.
And the setting, which instantly lifted my mood, was intentional. "We walked into the space yesterday for a walk-through, and what this looked like as the sun was going down, was just, wow," said Mora. "Then you layer in the color of the clothing, and it's such a special moment."
"The initial inspiration was a vibe," agrees Lyu. "To come full circle today and re-create the vibe we were feeling and watch it come 360 feels so meta. It's incredible as designers."
Ahead, find out how Haley Lu Richardson chose her outfit for the special day as the face of the brand, and read our full interview with the Kate Spade design team, Tom Mora and Jennifer Lyu.
