Emerging fashion designer Jane Wade, who currently holds an exclusive agreement with Bergdorf Goodman for two seasons, made her mark at New York Fashion Week with a captivating debut runway show on a Sunday afternoon.
Since launching her label in January 2022, Wade has been skillfully blending sophistication with downtown edge, presenting her unique take on reworked business-meets-utility attire. For her spring collection, she took the concept of transforming corporate identity and playfully riffed on office archetypes.
Backstage, she described the inspiration behind the looks: “Emma's receptionist, effortlessly cool with her headphones on,” referring to the three-piece cotton poplin convertible bustier dress in the opening ensemble; “Donovan, the remote meeting,” dressed in a boxy blazer paired with branded boxers; and her own archetype, the “She-EO,” showcased in a tube dress with a slightly exaggerated train.
Among the collection's highlights was the “out-of-office” open short-sleeve button-down layered over a bra top that revealed a hint of underboob, combined with a hybrid pin-striped shirting skirt (reimagined shirting being a prominent theme in Wade's designs). The lineup also featured utility layers with detachable button-off pockets, chain mail dresses composed of custom metal imprint tags, gorpcore accents by Soloman, and an oversized blazer with exaggerated sleeves and shoulders.
Wade explained, “Many of these looks are variations of previous pieces, but deconstructed, oversized, and exaggerated versions of them.” While similar iterations of her spring looks are currently available on her e-commerce platform, witnessing her strong artistic perspective and distinct designs in motion at the runway show was truly captivating.
