A. Potts NYFW Autumn/Winter 2025 Collection Review: Bold Fashion that Breaks Boundaries

On the first day of New York Fashion Week (NYFW), even the dreary weather couldn’t put a damper on the excitement that thrummed through the crowd as they gathered to witness the twenty-third incarnation of New York Men’s Day (NYMD). For over a decade, NYMD has served as the kickoff event for NYFW, offering a platform for up-and-coming independent designers to showcase their menswear and genderless collections.

This year, A. Potts was one of the emerging labels that unveiled their Autumn/Winter 2025 collection at NYMD. Founded in 2019, the visionary unisex brand is helmed by Aaron Potts.

In a press release before the show, Potts wrote, “I had very little inspiration considering the current state of things, but I knew I had to use my art as a tool of healing, growth, and connection. So I decided to forego a theme and just let my feelings out, focus on my truest inspirations, and create it all with people who feed the fire of creativity in my heart.”

Because of this rejection of thematic limits, A. Potts’ latest genderless collection eludes easy categorization. Crafting a single statement to encapsulate every piece in the collection is difficult, if not impossible. One might say the collection is characterized by largely dark and neutral hues, but then a singular pop of color — neon orange, pristine white — defies cohesion. One might say that many of the silhouettes are loose-fitting and billowy, but then a form-fitting or cropped look forces a reevaluation.

One of the most memorable looks of the collection was a neon orange dress. By Courtesy of Ned Rosen and Aya Rosen

This constant subversion of expectations is not an accident. According to A. Potts’ press team, this collection is driven by the conviction that “art is revolution,” and this desire to challenge the status quo was evident at the NYMD presentation.

Nonetheless, looking at the collection as a whole, some patterns emerge. Many of the silhouettes emphasized layering or played with the contrast between cropped items and more voluminous pieces. Patterned jackets were frequently paired with matching bags, and animal prints — a major trend in fashion this year — dominated the collection. Geometric patterns, as well as a fabric design that fused galaxy and camouflage prints, were also heavily featured throughout. Overall, this collection ranged from wearable, chic fashion to more unusual, modernist street style.

The collection featured coordinating hats, clothing, and bags. By Courtesy of Ned Rosen and Aya Rosen

One of the most eye-catching looks was a neon orange dress that featured asymmetrical knots and cut-outs across the chest. Another flowing white look called to mind Stevie Nicks’ classic style, or perhaps an angel dropped from heaven onto the streets of Manhattan. The most texturally interesting piece was a grey dress adorned with dark tassels and cascading ribbons, which was paired with a similarly-decorated beanie and gloves that tied together the look.

Accessories highlighted the looks from the collection. By Courtesy of Ned Rosen and Aya Rosen

Potts paired his latest looks with jewelry by Tribe Aesthetic, hats by Ashaka Givens, and footwear by Andre Assous and Florsheim. The hats and headbands delightfully complimented the show, mirroring patterns from the collection and exaggerating shapes and textures to defamiliarize typical silhouettes. The jewelry also tastefully accentuated the collection’s clothing — many looks featured striking geometric bracelets and coordinating earrings and necklaces, including some long, scarf-like designs.

Earrings and hats accentuated the looks in the collection. By Courtesy of Ned Rosen and Aya Rosen

At NYMD, A. Potts showed off these looks on an L-shaped runway that dominated the room, which was otherwise starkly white and unadorned. This minimalist setting directed all eyes to the models and ensured attention remained focused on the collection. In the background, fast-paced music thumped as people milled around, chattering excitedly.

The presentation concluded when the A. Potts team broke out into celebratory dance, in which the audience readily joined. If this collection embodies Potts’ resistance to the heaviness and turbulence of recent times, this final moment was a tribute to the communal care, healing, and connection that banish the darkness.

—Staff writer Makenna J. Walko can be reached at makenna.walko@thecrimson.com.