Cheryl Shops

When & where: Thursday, February 9 at 9 a.m., the Studio, Lincoln Center
Runway recap: Nicholas K is typically the first official show of Fashion Week, and it tends to get me really excited for the season, because while the brand has a steady vocabulary of wearable pieces—layered leather jackets, jersey tops, and slouchy pants tend to show up repeatedly—I like to see how they're interpreted each season. For fall, they took on a distinct Southwestern vibe, which was a fresh take on Nicholas K's typically urban aesthetic. This meant lots of fringe, covetable leather halter vests, tailored jackets, and blanket-like wraps. Designers Nicholas and Christopher Kunz stayed true to their city-slicker roots with a dark, primarily gray and black palette, but the occasional bits of teal and rust hinted at the desert theme. All in all it was a cool, not corny, take on the wild, wild west.  
Bonus points: The accessory styling in this show deserves mad props for both setting the mood and being really, really cool. Think felted cowboy hats, rugged over-the-knee boots, and turtle-shell medallion necklaces from Jewelry by Matt. For the guys, Vintage Shoe Company made exclusive styles for the show. 
Where to buy: Visit nicholask.com for stores.