New York Men’s Day NYMD Highlights Nostalgia
New York Men’s Day (NYMD) Fall 2025 presentations marked their 23rd year. Solidifying their reputation as a critical platform for emerging talent in men’s fashion and genderless design. In an era where dedicated men’s fashion weeks have dwindled or disappeared altogether. New York Men’s Day remains a solid fixture, showcasing brands that navigate the evolving landscape of menswear.
This NYMD season’s attendees included a cross-section of fashion veterans, press, photographers, content creators, and eye-catching style followers. With such a loyal and engaged audience, NYMD underscores its importance as a barometer for an industry in flux.
Amid an uncertain cultural climate, where rapid shifts have redefined American style and values. A key narrative emerged: resilience through accessible and enduring design. Notable collections reflected a renewed appreciation for wardrobe staples—timeless, versatile pieces designed for an educated, discerning market. Designers leaned into themes of destination, event, and social connection. Creating clothing that celebrates life’s moments and reaffirms the importance of dressing for them.
SIVAN
SIVAN, designed by Jack Sivan whose collection, titled Hotel Sivan. Delivered a polished vision of the glamorous and sophisticated traveler with an extensive itinerary of events. The collection centered on a narrative of elegance and purpose. Offering a travel wardrobe reminiscent of the days of Atlantic crossings that required luxury with functionality. Dongel Tweeds were showcased in striking double breasted suits. Paired with matching hip length topcoats featuring sharp peak lapels and flap pockets. These pieces evoked the aura of a cosmopolitan jet-setter, seamlessly blending classic tailoring with modern style.
SIVAN’s skill in outerwear design was evident in the use of Melton wools. Which appeared in calf-length topcoats in a range of autumnal tones, from camel to a rich military blue. For evening wear, the collection offered black-tie elegance with sumptuous velvet bowties. A noteworthy tuxedo crafted from a luxurious black winter wool fabric accented with subtle blue undertones. Tailored with a high-stance notch lapel, the dinner suit exuded black tie or black tie optional sophistication.
Business formalwear was equally striking, with three-piece pinstripe suits conveying a sense of authority and exploration. These looks, paired with crisp luxury cotton shirting, painted a picture of a wardrobe designed for the refined, modern traveler.
Each piece in the collection felt deliberate, tailored to endure beyond fleeting trends and seasons. SIVAN succeeded in crafting clothing that resonates with consumers seeking garments that embody both style and substance. A collection that celebrates the art of dressing in bespoke tailoring or ready to wear. SIVAN delivered a Fall 2025 collection that spoke to the spirit of travel and the art of arrival.
Photography by Dasha Semyonova
PEAK LAPEL
PEAK LAPEL, a unisex label making its debut at NYMD. Fused a longing for the warmth of home with a spirited nod to American prep. The collection felt like an East Coast gathering where nostalgia, music and camaraderie converged—a snapshot of ideal joys. But make no mistake: these clothes transcend age and occasion, offering timeless designs with universal appeal. Founded in 2024 by Jack Milkes and Ben Stedman, both third-year students at Parsons School of Design. Peak Lapel is a brand steeped in admiration for preppy menswear. With an ambitious goal of reimagining Ivy Style for a modern audience.
Their Fall 2025 presentation evoked the familiarity of returning home for the holidays. Crafting a relatable and aspirational narrative of family gatherings and cozy traditions. The setting captured the essence of Americana ideals, with models casually interacting. Playing board games against the backdrop a live jazz sessions; it was a moment of storytelling.
Wool checks paired with stripes and subtle patterns. While chore coats, reworked seemed destined for crisp mornings in the Hudson Valley or evenings on Martha’s Vineyard.
Outerwear stood out as a highlight, with sweeping trench coats making a bold statement. The palette was quintessentially autumnal, burnt orange, deep green, and clay brown. Yet modernized through the interplay of unconventional fabric weights and compositions. For a design duo still navigating design school academics. PEAK LAPEL delivered a polished, market-ready collection that signaled an impressive future ahead.
HOLD NYC
HOLD NYC, designed by Holden Akerley, a former Ralph Lauren designer. Launched his brand in 2024 continues to position itself as one to watch. Akerley made a strong impression at his debut last season at The Standard Hotel. Showing a talent for storytelling, vibrant color and a playful, sexy narrative. For Fall/Winter 2025, the designer expands on his vision. Delivering a collection brimming with cool, optimistic nostalgia and a clearer sense of direction for his emerging brand.
This NYMD season, Akerley invites us to a cozy ski chalet, where alpine charm meets a sensual edge. It’s as if the designer is reminiscing about a New York moment just before his time. A New York Chelsea neighborhood alive with a wide range of menswear boutiques. With an energy that spilled over from Greenwich Village. HOLD NYC embraces a vision of vitality and adventure. Celebrating men in their prime, living their best lives, surrounded by friends, destinations and endless possibilities.
Approachable appeal
Partially inspired by the beat of N.E.R.D.’s Rock Star. The presentation looked at what happens after the thrill of braving icy slopes. A how to narrative about luxuriating something softer, more indulgent. The collection balanced technical outerwear with cozy loungewear. Showcasing fitted silhouettes like a yellow zip-front jacket paired with a fleece shoulder shrug both functional and stylish. Akerley also highlighted hand knit alpine sweaters and classic preppy rugby tops. Giving menswear staples a relaxed, approachable appeal as well as fluid male option. The tweed peak lapel jacket paired with thigh high bias bound running shorts was equally as captivating as the tweed pants styled shirtless with nylon technical straps and a balaclava.
A standout was a leather jockstrap inspired bag with a gleaming zipper. A cheeky yet sophisticated nod to HOLD’s unapologetically sexy stance. This playful irreverence extended to the collection’s emphasis on sleek underwear waistbands. Fitted tank tops all designed to turn heads and spark conversation. But HOLD NYC isn’t just about fun and games. This collection marked a strategic step forward in branding and marketing, signaling Akerley’s sharp understanding of his audience. HOLD has begun to position itself as the youthful, uninhibited American counterpart to Orlebar Brown’s destination style. The healthy, well nourished Yankee to the European LAZOSCHMIDL.
HOLD NYC Fall 2025 captures the energy of a secluded chalet buzzing with frisky camaraderie. Where nostalgia meets modernity and desire feels just within reach. This was a bold, confident NYMD debut. That underscored Akerley’s knack for tapping into the pulse of a younger generation of stylish, adventurous men.
Patrick Michael Hughes Senior Fashion Editor- Men’s Fashion Writer
Share this post
Patrick Michael Hughes is a fashion and decorative arts historian. He writes about fashion culture past and present making connections to New York, London and Copenhagen's fashion weeks with an eye toward men's fashion. He joined IRK Magazine as a fashion men's editor during winter of 2017.
He is often cited as a historical source for numerous pieces appearing in the Wall Street Journal, The New York Times, CNN, LVMH, Conde Nast, Highsnobiety and others. His fashion career includes years as a fashion reporter/producer of branded content for the New York local news in the hyper digital sector. Patrick's love of travel and terrain enabled him to becoming an experienced cross-country equestrian intensively riding in a number of locations in South America Scandinavia,The United Kingdom and Germany. However, he is not currently riding, but rather speaking internationally to designers, product development teams, marketing teams and ascending designers in the US, Europe and China.
Following his BA in the History of Art from Manhattanville College in Purchase, New York he later completed graduate studios in exhibition design in New York. it was with the nudge and a conversation in regard to a design assignment interviewing Richard Martin curator of the Costume Institute at the Metropolitan Museum of Art he was encouraged to consider shifting his focus to the decorative arts with a concentration in fashion history and curation.
Patrick completed graduate studies 17th and 18th century French Royal interiors and decoration and 18th century French fashion culture at Musée Les Arts Decoratifs-Musée de Louvre in Paris. Upon his return to New York along with other classes and independent studies in American fashion he earned his MA in the History of Decorative Arts and Design from the Parsons/Cooper Hewitt Design Museum program in New York. His final specialist focus was in 19th century English fashion and interiors with distinction in 20th century American fashion history and design.
Currently, he is an Associate Teaching Professor at Parsons School of Design leading fashion history lecture-studios within the School of Art and Design History and Theory,
Read Next
