Jane Wade SS27: ‘The Riverbed’ is Cultivated by Nature in Exploration
Jane Wade isn’t just recontextualizing her visual code—she’s pushing it forward.
Photography by Charles Lin
Perhaps more than any brand on the official NYFW calendar, a Jane Wade girl exists in context. This season, she’s traversed from the mountains of FW26 to SS27’s The Riverbed, a collection that leans less into the idea of freshwater fish than into that earthy, damp scent where a murky river laps the moss-covered banks of a forest creek.
To that end, the collection features moss-green versions of brand staples like the asymmetrical halter Hike Pleat Top and jersey pencil skirt set with contrasting seams. A separate suite of officewear is composed of textured and variegated panels of olive green suede, muted purple ribbon, and nylon ripstop fabric.
In particular, Brooklyn-based, Oregon-raised designer Jane Wade excels at the small details: A grey bra top with drawstring-adjustable cups becomes even more interesting from the back, when one can catch a glimpse of the dainty hook holding a second adjustable strap to the bandeau. A button-down polo fashioned from ripstop nylon features the same ventilated back panel of rowing gear. Low-rise khaki pants get an edgy makeover with rear vertical pleating, split by welt pockets, and accentuated with dual rows of j/w rivets.
Each look, strong on its own, becomes a complete story—of a woman on the go, equally likely to be found in the city or at the campsite—through the brilliant styling of Joe Van O. The contributions of Stephanie Blackburn’s soft accessories, functional and fashion-forward flower-inspired shoulder bags and pouches that, like Jane Wade’s, use drawstrings to create shape, cannot be overstated. Elsewhere, calf-monitors over latex socks, carabiners (in fact, Jane Wade’s keychain tote collaboration with keote), and futuristic eyewear taken after Google Glass offered a masterclass in accessorizing.
Photography by Charles Lin
But with The Riverbed, Wade isn’t just recontextualizing her visual code—she’s pushing it forward. As looks progress, cool blue tones increasingly emerge from a palette of browns and greys. Ultimately, the collection ends with a study in metal and croc, bringing the brand into an entirely new material foray.
The final look—a slinky metal high halter maxi dress—while the most dramatic, was easily eclipsed by the penultimate look: a cap-sleeve metal mini dress with a scalloped hem filled with movement. The mini dress was itself eclipsed by the preceding gowns composed of woven alternating horizontal strips of brown croc and metal.
Seven collections in, Wade continues to elevate and refine what it means to be a Jane Wade girl. Her corporate overlords can’t be mad that she’s “gone fishing” when she looks so damn good.
