An amalgamation of allegorical femininity, Elena Velez's Spring/Summer 2025 was for the girls – all of them, the saints and especially the sinners. In her largest showcase to date, entitled "La Pucelle," Velez draws inspiration from society's shadow women – Jeanne D’Arc, Marianne, Boudica, Lady Columbia and Calamity Jane included – to shatter the sensitivities of polite society once again and present another dynamic, disruptive collection.
"Renegade pageant queens and patriots," Velez sets the scene. "Who are they, the symbolic sorority who hold in their hands the aspirations of a people? Who are these allegorical guides and folkloric pathfinders who define the spirit of a country in disunion- who wear with pride the scarlet letter in 'USA.'"
Hester Prynne would've been proud of Velez's latest ready-to-wear range, with the LVMH-finalist designer delivering an array of complex, cultural-commentating clothing. Standout silhouettes included tattered and lacy gowns, lots of leather, striking statement slogans stamped on graphic pieces, and reworked prom-type dresses, with Tinashe donning the latter for the second look of Tuesday evening's Soho-set showcase.
"'La Pucelle' continues the investigation of the brand’s shadow woman: nuanced and multidimensional female figures who revel in their own autonomy at all costs, without excuse for their desires or vices," the collection notes continue, with this ethos even evident in the showcase's sponsors and contributors – consisting of a lineup of customized platform UGG New Heights footwear and an official OnlyFans collaboration.
Explore the full Elena Velez Spring/Summer 2025 collection in the runway images above and stay tuned to Hypebeast for continuing New York Fashion Week coverage.
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