Nicholas Aburn for Area - A High-Fashion Fever Dream

Nicholas Aburn Debuts for Area with S/S26 Collection -

Look 33

In Nicholas Aburn’s debut collection for Area, after leaving Balenciaga as a former couture designer earlier in the year, this Spring/ Summer 2025 collection of his was very much anticipated in the industry. It is always exciting to see a talented artist transition from one brand to another as they then switch their creative thinking to prepare to channel the new fashion house. 

However Aburn really got it right this time. The show was superb! With technical excellence and fabric manipulation at its highest form, there was a subversive edge to the collection. One that is unmistakably Area - the exact role of a creative director! He’s really hit the nail on the head first time round. 

Let’s get into the show… 

Colour palette: White, Black, Red, Silver, MULTICOLOURED GLITTER!!

Favourite looks: Look 10, Look 14, Look 21, Look 24, Look 27, Look 33, Look 35, Look 38, Look 40

Questionable Looks: Look 6, Look 17, Look 19

View Full Collection here: Vogue Runway – Area Spring 2025

Now this is high fashion! Thank god someone finally brought some fun back to the runway! We’re only on day two of NYFW, but many shows so far have played it pretty safe - muted palettes, structured silhouettes, and very little risk. But not Area.

ABOVE - LOOKS (in order) 38, 40, 41, 39, 35, 37

The final seven looks (shown above) of this collection? Insane (in the best way). Sequins everywhere. One model looked like a pom-pom, another like a glimmering speck of glitter, and one literally resembled a bow on a Christmas present. It was absurd, fabulous, and completely experimental — everything high fashion should dare to be. 

These closing looks were a bold contrast to the first 35, which stuck to more muted tones with occasional pops of red, blue, and pink. But the glitter finale wasn’t just random chaos -  it made sense. Jewelled details were woven throughout the earlier looks too: bangles, earrings, statement tops… so the transition felt authentic.

One of my favourite moments was the denim and tailored black looks. The distressed denim worked beautifully with the sleeker pieces. And can we talk about the mini skirt/jean hybrid? The tied, stuffed pant legs created this clever 3D effect — a fun twist on a basic shape. I loved the black version even more than the denim! It was very much giving a corporate fashion icon's dream.

The denim dress with a distressed knee, styled with matching denim heels, was another highlight - the styling here was so sharp & cohesive. The collection is fun, unique, clever and magical. I am very much impressed by this marvellous collection! 

ABOVE - LOOKS (in order) - 27, 24, 14

If I had to nitpick, the only thing that felt out of place was the two bedazzled and deconstructed basketball jerseys (Looks 6 & 17) They leaned more tacky than chic and didn’t quite fit the tone of the rest of the collection. That said… They were bedazzled. So technically, they did align with the glitter-soaked energy of the final looks.

Nicholas Aburn had a lot to prove stepping into Area as the new Creative Director — and he delivered. Aburn has had a showstopper of a collection! This debut was fearless, technically brilliant, and genuinely exciting. I can't wait to see what he does next. Area’s edge has now been proven to be safe in his hands.

With love, 

Mimi x