New York: The James B. Duke House transformed into a lively venue for LoveShackFancy’s fall 2025 fashion presentation, featuring a youthful aesthetic reminiscent of 1970s styles and pop culture influences, including insights from designer Rebecca Hessel Cohen on her inspirations and the collection’s vibrant colour palette.
On a snowy evening in February, the historic James B. Duke House on the Upper East Side became a vibrant setting for a fashion presentation by LoveShackFancy, drawing attention with its striking pink aesthetic. Attendees lined up outside, highlighting the brand’s popularity, particularly among a younger demographic, as a woman asked a security guard about expedited passes, unable to hide her surprise at the length of the queue.
Inside the French classical mansion, the atmosphere was lively, with approximately a dozen models showcasing the brand’s fall 2025 collection. Positioned beneath a grand staircase, some relaxed with champagne, while others applied perfume in an artistic display reminiscent of a scene from a luxurious film. One model, dressed in a matching lace ensemble adorned with bell-bottom trousers, admired her reflection in a compact mirror, while another donned a floral sequin gown—crafted meticulously with 325 hours of sequinning and beading—being twirled by a male escort dressed in formal attire. The iconic song “Bittersweet Symphony” by The Verve played softly in the background, enhancing the sophisticated yet nostalgic ambiance.
The presentation seemed to echo themes from popular culture, specifically the lavish lifestyles depicted in “Cruel Intentions” and “Gossip Girl,” which may not have been a mere coincidence, given LoveShackFancy’s appeal to a predominantly teenage audience. However, upon closer examination, the collection drew more heavily from the aesthetics of 1970s Laurel Canyon than the opulence of 2000s Park Avenue. Many pieces featured pink faux fur typical of the disco era, complemented by flowing long-sleeve dresses in vibrant raspberry and serene sky blue, exuding a bohemian flair. These styles resonated with contemporary references, most notably when singer Lana Del Rey was spotted wearing a similar design by LoveShackFancy at a wedding in September.
Designer Rebecca Hessel Cohen detailed an array of inspirations that shaped the collection, citing iconic figures such as Kate Moss during her party scene days in London, Keira Knightley’s portrayal in “Anna Karenina,” and Penny Lane from “Almost Famous.” She also referenced socialite Doris Duke, dubbed “the richest girl in the world” during her heyday in the 1930s. “She’s kind of rebellious, she’s a bit edgier, and she’s a cool girl,” said Cohen, reflecting on these muses.
The colour palette of the collection remained true to LoveShackFancy’s signature pink, a choice Cohen commits to regardless of the seasonal climate, with business implications in mind, as many of her 12 retail locations are situated in warmer states such as California, Texas, and South Carolina. This season did incorporate hues of mauve and chocolate brown, aligning with trending runway colours. Notably, designs in these shades offered a more mature aesthetic; a piece featuring a black lace top paired with a mocha silk skirt and a brown faux fur jacket appeared suitable for a young adult attending a black-tie winter wedding, contrasted with a playful bubble-gum pink ruffled gown embellished with crystals and a prominent bow, aligning more closely with youthful exuberance.
Source: Noah Wire Services
