published 9 September 2024

It's not often that I begin a runway review describing something that was missing from a collection, but Alaïa's winter/spring 2025 show was anything but ordinary. Intriguingly, the pieces were entirely devoid of zippers and buttons. "Some pieces seem suspended, held in position by imperceptible internal structures, like magic tricks," the brand explained in a statement. Now that's some serious fashion sorcery.

Creative Director Pieter Mulier outdid himself with this light-as-air collection that used a mixture of cashmere, fine knit, sculpted poplin, and silk taffeta. "This collection is about honoring tradition alongside modernity," Mulier said in a statement. "It is a celebration of an American ideology of dress, and through that, of a spirit that can unite New York and Paris—the body in motion, liberated. As Alaïa always has been." Scroll down to learn more about the memorable show.

The Venue

The Solomon R. Guggenheim Museum, which was built in 1959 and designed by Frank Lloyd Wright, played host to Alaïa's winter/spring 2025 show. Surprisingly, it was the first time a runway show was held in the landmark's iconic rotunda. The brand explained its long-running connection to the museum in a statement: "In 2000, Alaïa pieces were placed in conversation with works by Andy Warhol at the Guggenheim Museum’s temporary space in SoHo—an exchange of art and fashion that was unprecedented."

a view of the Guggenheim museum's spiral ramp and dome

The Front Row

Rihanna is extremely selective when it comes to fashion shows she attends, so all eyes were on her when she showed up at Alaïa. Other notable guests included Liv Tyler, Naomi Campbell, Amber Valletta, Hari Nef, Tracee Ellis Ross, Law Roach, Paloma Elsesser, and Lewis Hamilton.

Rihanna wears an off-the-shoulder silver dress with strappy high heels

Celebrities attend the 2024 Alaia runway show held in New York City at the Guggenheim Museum

Paloma Elsesser wears a leopard-print top with wide-leg jeans

My Favorite Runway Looks

The entire collection was stunning, but I managed to narrow it down to my top five looks. I simply adore the frothy confections, the pastel colors, the innovative silhouettes, and the overall minimalist vibe. My top pick was a baby pink number that Alaïa described in a press release as an "asymmetrical molded-knitted bandeau top worn with a voluminous knitted padded skirt featuring a large tight belt and exploding volume into bouncing godets."

a model wears a pink cutout dress with a voluminous midi skirt

a model wears a light yellow jumpsuit on the runway at Alaïa

a model wears a short white dress on the runway at Alaïa

a model wears a brown crop top and a navy blue ruffle skirt

Erin got her start as a Who What Wear intern over 13 years ago—back when the site only published a single story per day. (Who What Wear has since increased that number twentyfold.) She graduated magna cum laude from USC, which is how she ended up moving to Los Angeles from her hometown of San Diego. In college, she also interned at Refinery29, where she was promoted to editorial assistant and then assistant editor. After nearly three years at R29, she came back to WWW in 2016, where she currently holds the title of Associate Director of Fashion News (as well as the unofficial title of resident royal expert—in case you haven't noticed her numerous Meghan Markle and Kate Middleton stories). She spends her days trying to incorporate her idols, Anna Wintour and Roger Federer, into as many stories as possible. Outside of work, she loves tennis, classic rock, traveling, and smothering her dog with affection.