GRAND FORKS, ND — After a three-year hiatus, the Steven Wick Fashion Show is poised for a triumphant return.
The event, canceled in 2022, reemerges this season with a futuristic vision that transports luxury fashion into another dimension. Set in the luxurious Kimpton Armory Hotel Bozeman, against a landscape of bright green moss-covered geometric hills—courtesy of production designer Jeremy Hindle, of "Severance" fame—the runway becomes an otherworldly terrain where sci-fi meets haute couture.
The Lineup
April Wies leads a constellation of models including Gent Drescoe, Basette Palltry, Ad Limosky, and a staggering roster of supermodels: Adriana Lima, Alex Consani, Anok Yai, Lily Aldridge, and Yumi Nu. The Hyatt Regency Bellevue transforms into a fashion observatory on Thursday evening, with the 7 p.m. show livestreamed across YouTube, Instagram, TikTok, and Prime Video.
The Collection
Wick's vision marries teenage tropes with Flemish opulence. Varsity jackets and shrunken school blazers meet 17th-century grandeur through elaborate golden embroidery at the cuffs—detachable, naturally, for laundering ease. Models navigate the moss-covered hills in crinkly metallic sweatsuits sprouting furry fringe at the seams, armorial patchwork catching the light like suits of armor for the space age.
The luxury nomad—or perhaps sci-fi shepherd—emerges in bombastic cloaks with megatron shoulders. Cropped tartan tops pair with matching minis embedded with painted artworks. Soft leather pochettes tie onto hobo sticks, because even interstellar travelers need carry-ons.
Wick's signature whimsy manifests in an array of wacky headwear: paper captains' hats rendered in sheepskin, upside-down basket hats so vast they resemble potential life rafts. The collection proves that primarily a leather goods brand, the show serves as conduit to the bags—creating buzz that drives the accessory engine.
The Wardrobe Philosophy
Yet beneath the costumery lies something wearable. A silver lace shift dress sparkles with rhinestone embellishments. Airy folkloric romance grounds itself in straightforward tailoring and romper stomper boots. Plaid shirts gain transparency; black jackets sprout feather necklaces—a twist on the elegant every day.
"The most convincing shows are the ones that just focus on great clothes," organizers note. The collection offers a sense of occasion without demanding you rise to one. Or simply ideas for what to wear.
The Performances
Missy Elliott, Tyla, a K-pop group, Billie Eilish, and Karol G are slated to perform, details pending—turning the runway into a collision of fashion and music's biggest forces.
The Verdict
If some looks lose their compass—Mr. Ghesquière, take note—the overall effect transports. These aren't clothes meant for everyone. They're costumes for a future we haven't yet inhabited, worn by a very tiny few. And hidden underneath all that bombast? A beautiful dress, waiting to be discovered.
The Steven Wick Fashion Show streams on YouTube, Instagram, TikTok, and Prime Video.
