New York Fashion Week 2023 – Ulla Johnson
ULLA JOHNSON
Dragging out in the torrential rain/ relentless NY humidity to Brooklyn’s Powerhouse Arts for a 10am show had me cursing the 6, 5 and 4 trains, and a long walk, for allowing my hair to fuzz up (it’s a pin straight bob, God damn it) – but if that’s worth it on a Sunday morn, you know it was the native Brooklynite’s best – and that’s saying a lot. The woman who’s made blockbuster sales out of wispy prints on chiffon, silk and hybrid fabrics, never met a gentile colorful gown, pleated skirt or puffed sleeve blouse she didn’t attempt. This season, Johnson collaborated with Shara Hughes, a Brooklyn painter of psychedelic surreal landscapes, for unique washes of blue, yellow and orange watercolors. Many of these unique pieces can be worn day, cocktail hour, even black tie. That’s the appeal. Her fine mixes of hues like lavender with shirred sunset chiffon, giant rosette assym sleeves, minis, maxis and suits, left us a little breathless. Just like that rain and train.
Merle Ginsberg is a fashion writer and television personality who was one of the judges on “RuPaul’s Drag Race” in the first two seasons of the show. She is also an award winning journalist and writer, and a NY Times bestselling author. She started her long media career in NY at the Village Voice, MTV and Rolling Stone. Then, moving to L.A., she wrote for People, Us, L.A. Times and W Magazine and Women’s Wear Daily, where she presided over the West Coast bureau for 12 years, also contributing to L.A. Magazine, Jane and Details. She also served as Senior Style Editor of The Hollywood Reporter.
