New York: Jonathan Cohen’s fall 2025 collection pays homage to vintage glamour, inspired by Elizabeth Taylor’s boxing match flair. The collection features elegant boxing shorts, sporty dresses, and unique accessories, showcased in a gallery format that celebrates collaboration and the impact of historical styles on modern fashion.
The realm of vintage-inspired fashion continues to thrive, as evidenced by Jonathan Cohen’s presentation of his fall 2025 collection. Drawing on the rich tapestry of past celebrity aesthetics, Cohen wove together inspirations from the iconic Elizabeth Taylor, particularly her memorable presence at boxing matches during the 1960s.
In a fascinating nod to the past, the designer remarked, “I thought how she looked at the boxing match was amazing,” while discussing his research into the intersection of fashion and sport. He noted a key moment from 1963 when boxing champion Muhammad Ali, then known as Cassius Clay, was famously distracted by the glamorous Hollywood actress amidst the action in the ring. This historical anecdote served as a springboard for Cohen’s imaginative narrative, envisioning an encounter between the starlet and the athlete that plays out in the collection.
Cohen’s designs reflect both the elegance of Taylor and the dynamism of the boxing world, featuring a range of apparel that bridges these contrasting elements. The collection includes boxing shorts lavishly crafted from blue velvet and silk satin, adorned with a floral print inspired by one of Taylor’s signature perfumes. Other pieces in the collection incorporate sporty striped dresses, pleated skirts, and even knit boxing tanks, highlighting the playful yet sophisticated tone that characterises Cohen’s work. Additionally, a unique assortment of matching boxing boots, part of an ongoing collaboration with Larroudé, showcases an innovative blend of function and fashion.
The collection further embraces Taylor’s iconic imagery with details such as a leopard jacquard topcoat featuring snow print depictions of her eyes, alongside embroideries of her cherished flower on various denim pieces and a striking graphic shirt. This cohesion of whimsy and refinement is accentuated by items like a lace-inset leather skirt, jackets made from scrap materials, and new eyewear designed in homage to Siouxsie Sioux’s distinctive eyebrow silhouette, created in partnership with Selima Optique.
Transforming the presentation format, Cohen opted for a gallery-style showcase at Rockefeller Center. “We knew we didn’t want to do our regular presentation format, so we came up with the concept of working with incredible women right in our lives,” he explained. The exhibit featured not only the fall campaign imagery but also mood boards and mannequin displays, with the gallery’s walls adorned by some of the significant women connected to Cohen’s life and brand. Attendees included influential figures such as cofounder Sarah Leff, her mother Dede Kantorowitz-Leff, and various creatives from the fashion industry, all underscoring the collection’s thematic emphasis on collaboration and community.
Cohen’s homage to vintage fashion extends beyond mere aesthetic; it also illustrates how past styles inform and inspire contemporary celebrity wardrobes, marrying historical narratives with modern elegance. This ever-evolving dialogue between retro aesthetics and today’s fashion landscape continues to shape the stylish figures of our time, demonstrating the enduring influence of vintage inspirations.
Source: Noah Wire Services
