Wiederhoeft Spring 2024 Collection at La Mama theater in the East Village
On September 12th at the La Mama theater in the East Village, Jackson Wiederhoeft presented his Spring 2024 collection in a three act runway show titled “Night Terror at the Opera.” Act I started with 19 dancers sitting in folding chairs in various peachy Wiederhoeft looks. Then as the lights dimmed, a model walked out wearing the first official look of the collection, a black beaded midi dress with a luxurious purple corset, and joined the dancers in a chair. All 20 of them then broke into choreography, shuffling the chairs around to represent different scenarios, including a game of “duck, duck, goose,” a runway show, and a classroom full of writing students to name a few. The Act ended with all of the chairs lined up in a row for the model to walk down, and each dancer dragging the models off stage.
Act II marked the real fashion show. But just as that opening was unexpected, the clothes were as well. This season, Wiederhoeft decided to introduce us to his version of ready-to-wear. “I don’t think it’s so much of a transition as opening a new avenue. I still plan to continue the bridal and specialty pieces. But I think introducing ready-to-wear makes sense for the brand: continuing the story into a new chapter.” says Wiederhoeft of the decision.
In taking this step, Wiederhoeft has opened doors to a whole new world for their customer. You no longer need a special occasion to wear their pieces, this collection has offered plenty of options for everyday wear. A pair of jeans with a macrame pearl belt, a ribbed tank top with a crystal “Heiress” design, and a minimalistic magenta long-sleeve bias cut mini dress are all options for the Wiederhoeft lover that may have no use for a stunning corseted ballgown. But trust that the gowns are still as magnificent and red carpet ready as ever.
The final act featured a poodle bride and groom look, a pop star followed by security guards (noted by bedazzled crop tops), three characters names “Sassy” that looked ready to tear up the dance floor in glittery lingerie-inspired pieces, and a final lone woman named “Austerity” in a lamé ball gown all dancing down the runway. I’ve never seen a finale so perfectly capture the essence of a collection, and the brand as a whole, as well as this one. There was the signature poodle aesthetic, the new foray into ready-to-wear, and their immaculate gowns all at once. In a show as theatrical as this, it’s easy to get lost in the performance, yet Wiederhoeft’s clothes are what you can’t help but talk about on your way out of the theater.
Article by Skylar Elizabeth, Editorial Assistant, PhotoBook Magazine
Tearsheets by Alexa Dyer, Graphic Designer, PhotoBook Magazine
Photos Courtesy of Wiederhoeft
Related Stories
