Ralph Lauren made the case for the tuxedo as womenswear at its nightclub-inspired New York Fashion Week spring ’20 show last night.
The label had help from one of the biggest style stars in the entertainment world: Janelle Monáe. The singer and actress is known for her gender-neutral, black-and-white looks, and she stuck with her formula for a performance at Ralph Lauren’s show — appearing in a tuxedo jacket, white button-up and bow-tie teamed with a full black plaid skirt. For shoes, the petite star went with 5-inch platform pumps, one of fall’s biggest shoe trends.


Monáe’s outfit and style ethos were echoed in the models’ looks on the runway. Top models like Gigi and Bella Hadid, Joan Smalls and Taylor Hill strutted down the runway in sleek evening looks. While glitzy gowns and soaring heels weren’t absent from the collection, many of the women were clad in menswear-inspired outfits.


The tone was set when Gigi opened in a starchy white, bow tie-accented blouse, high-waisted black pants and an oversize, glittery jacket. The look was finished with soaring stilettos — perhaps inspired by Monáe’s go-to shoes .

While much of the clothing for the collection had roots in the men’s camp, the shoes were decidedly feminine. Whether clad in tuxedos or party dresses, models walked the runway in power pumps and strappy sandals, with nary a flat in sight.


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