

February is the first fashion month of the year chock-full of fashion weeks hosted all around he world. It's the month that holds all the trends that will prevail in the fall. We had the amazing opportunity to attend some amazing shows all over the concrete jungle. Trends like capes, leather and puff pieces are on the horizon for the later months. Romeo Hunte, Fe Noel, JUST IN XX and Rene Tyler are just a few of the collections we can't stop thinking about as they have us ecstatic for fall.
Ahead, find our trend report based on what we spotted on the runways during NYFW.
Trend: Ponchos & Capes
Gabriella Hearst, Brandon Maxwell
Gabriella Hearst: TeenVogue -- Brandon Maxwell:
Consider the cape and poncho your new coats for fall. You heard it right – the 2000s trend is back and ready to warm your fashionable hearts. Best of all, there are options for everyone in every style group. If you're more Sporty Spice, you can opt for a cozy knitted poncho. If you're more Posh Spice, you would be more comfortable in a sleek cape paired with an equally chic bottom.
Trend: Glitz & Glamour
Romeo Hunte, Tom Ford, Area
Romeo Hunte: Courtesy of Purple PR -- Tom Ford: Refinery29 -- Area: FootwearNews
The runways were dripping with diamonds, metallics and so many more shiny pieces. It seems like the goals was to light up any room you step in with extravagant jewels. Romeo Hunte reimagined the biker chick with elevated fringe while Tom Ford went straight Hollywood glam with bows and a high slit. Then there's Area's take on a funky but fun romper.
Texture: Leather
The Arlo Studio, Self-Portrait, Coach, Son Jung Wan
The Arlo Studio: Courtesy of Global Fashion Collective -- Self-Portrait: Vogue -- Coach: Marie Claire -- Son Jung Wan: Courtesy of Deborah Hughes Inc
There's nothing more classic than leather and much like this season the buttery texture will be heading into fall with us. Try to find more opulent staples like jumpsuits, dresses and skirts. While we all love a good moto jacket, we want to amp it up come fall. We especially fell in love The Arlo Studio's olive green jumpsuit because it's simple and uncomplicated. If you want to baby step your way into the texture, cop a leather trench coat as you can easily couple it with so many looks.
Color: White
Baja East, Sukeina, JUST IN XX
Baja East: Vogue -- Sukeina: Haute Fashion Africa -- JUST IN XX: Courtesy of Agentry PR
White is a controversial hue during the fall months with old ancient myths saying you shouldn't wear white after Labor Day. In actuality, white is even more hot and trendy after September. Whether you dress in head-to-toe white or choose one standout piece, you will stun everyone. White remains an effervescent color that is a perfect image of modern minimalism. Baja East, Sukeina and JUST IN XX's collections are the proof.
Trend: Puff Pieces
Christian Cowan, LaQuan Smith
Christian Cowan: Flaunt -- LaQuan Smith: Essence
Christian Cowan and LaQuan Smith weren't the only designers showing off some major puff pieces but these two looks were definitely our faves. We believe it's because both designers aim to help women feel sexy and comfortable in their own skin and that includes staying warm stylishly. We can look forward to pieces in all shapes, sizes and staples. For example, do you see these puffer boots!? *insert fire emoji*
Loved to See It: Fe Noel's NYFW Debut
Essence
Fe Noel made her New York Fashion Week debut this February and it left us speechless. The energy leading up to the Grenadan artist's show was nothing short of magical as her family, friends and sea of supporters filed into Spring Studios. The show started with a heart-wrenching, bass jumping film featuring the Caribbean designer's roots.
The premiere of the collection, "Daughter of the Soil", showcased models mostly of the melanin persuasion in romantic and feminine garments. From flowing silk dresses to printed robes to coordinate sets that made you want to jet set to the islands immediately, we were left in awe of Fe Noel's artisanship, intentionality and grace behind this collection.
Loved to See It: Body Positivity!
Rene Tyler, Chromat
Rene Tyler: Courtesy of Oxford Fashion Studio -- Chromat: Flaunt
Rene Tyler and Chromat gave us so much life with their inclusive collections. Seeing women that reflect the world we live in is so important in fashion. The average woman is a size 14 so to see collections that embrace women of all sizes speaks volumes. We have more progress to make but it was enlightening to see two collections dedicated to the diversity and inclusion. Rene Tyler served up classy sex appeal while Chromat gave us our next athleisure vibes.
Exclusive Interview with Son Jung Wan
Photography by Dani Elle Moore
xoNecole's Joce Blake was invited backstage to preview the eclectic collection of Korean designer, Son Jung Wan. She told us she was inspired by classic romance and primary colors. According to SJW, she worked with bold colors and constructed silhouettes to showcase a collection featuring artful plays with volume, texture and seductive color.
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Featured image by Getty Images
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Joce Blake is a womanist who loves fashion, Beyonce and Hot Cheetos. The sophistiratchet enthusiast is based in Brooklyn, NY but has southern belle roots as she was born and raised in Memphis, TN. Keep up with her on Instagram @joce_blake and on Twitter @SaraJessicaBee.
Eva Marcille On Starring In 'Jason’s Lyric Live' & Being An Audacious Black Woman
Eva Marcille has taken her talents to the stage. The model-turned-actress is starring in her first play, Jason’s Lyric Live alongside Allen Payne, K. Michelle, Treach, and others.
The play, produced by Je’Caryous Johnson, is an adaptation of the film, which starred Allen Payne as Jason and Jada Pinkett Smith as Lyric. Allen reprised his role as Jason for the play and Eva plays Lyric.
While speaking to xoNecole, Eva shares that she’s a lot like the beloved 1994 character in many ways. “Lyric is so me. She's the odd flower. A flower nonetheless, but definitely not a peony,” she tells us.
“She's not the average flower you see presented, and so she reminds me of myself. I'm a sunflower, beautiful, but different. And what I loved about her character then, and even more so now, is that she was very sure of herself.
"Sure of what she wanted in life and okay to sacrifice her moments right now, to get what she knew she deserved later. And that is me. I'm not an instant gratification kind of a person. I am a long game. I'm not a sprinter, I'm a marathon.
America first fell in love with Eva when she graced our screens on cycle 3 of America’s Next Top Model in 2004, which she emerged as the winner. Since then, she's ventured into different avenues, from acting on various TV series like House of Payne to starring on Real Housewives of Atlanta.
Je-Caryous Johnson Entertainment
Eva praises her castmates and the play’s producer, Je’Caryous for her positive experience. “You know what? Je’Caryous fuels my audacity car daily, ‘cause I consider myself an extremely audacious woman, and I believe in what I know, even if no one else knows it, because God gave it to me. So I know what I know. That is who Je’Caryous is.”
But the mom of three isn’t the only one in the family who enjoys acting. Eva reveals her daughter Marley has also caught the acting bug.
“It is the most adorable thing you can ever see. She’s got a part in her school play. She's in her chorus, and she loves it,” she says. “I don't know if she loves it, because it's like, mommy does it, so maybe I should do it, but there is something about her.”
Overall, Eva hopes that her contribution to the role and the play as a whole serves as motivation for others to reach for the stars.
“I want them to walk out with hope. I want them to re-vision their dreams. Whatever they were. Whatever they are. To re-see them and then have that thing inside of them say, ‘You know what? I'm going to do that. Whatever dream you put on the back burner, go pick it up.
"Whatever dream you've accomplished, make a new dream, but continue to reach for the stars. Continue to reach for what is beyond what people say we can do, especially as [a] Black collective but especially as Black women. When it comes to us and who we are and what we accept and what we're worth, it's not about having seen it before. It's about knowing that I deserve it.”
This interview has been edited for length and clarity.
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We don’t get to choose the order we’re born into, but it’s wild how much it can shape who we become. Though birth order may seem like an inconsequential family fun fact, it can influence how we move, love, lead, and even how we see ourselves. Whether you're the dependable oldest, the often-overlooked middle child, the free-spirited baby in the family, or the only child who grew up as their own best friend, there's a chance a few of your core personality traits are tied to the role you played growing up.
Eldest Daughter Syndrome had its viral moment online last year, and for good reason. The term gave language to the silent pressures so many eldest daughters tend to carry as a result of their birth order. Beyond that very needed conversation, birth order as a whole can offer insight into not only our traits and tendencies, but also how we show up in life, love, and even our work.
Below, we’re breaking down the traits most commonly associated with each birth order. Keep reading to learn what your birth order might say about you.
If you are the oldest...
Let's be real, being the firstborn often comes with a lot of responsibility. And it's usually not by choice. From early on, they’re the ones who set the tone, carry the weight, and take on the title of "the responsible one." Because of that, they often grow into reliable, high-achieving adults. But the pressure of being "the blueprint" and the one to "lead by example" can also be a heavy burden to bear.
Oldest child traits may look like:
- Natural leaders that take charge even when they didn’t mean to (read: she's bossy, but keeping it cute)
- High standards (for yourself and everyone else)
- Motivated, goal-oriented, and always chasing that next accomplishment
- Reliable and conscientious
- Perfectionist tendencies that can lead to burnout
- Struggles with being controlling or micromanaging
- Often cautious, craving stability over spontaneity
- Finds it hard to rest or ask for help
If you are the middle child...
In the grand scheme of the birth order lineup, the middle child can be the quiet MVPs. As the child who falls in the order "in-between," they’re used to being the one who keeps the peace while also fighting to stand out. But being the “in-between” can also mean feeling overlooked or forgotten. In some families, especially ones with toxic dynamics, the middle child may even take on the role of the "black sheep," while their siblings are seen as the golden children. Still, despite (or maybe because of) that, middle children tend to thrive socially and can read a room like the back of their hand.
Middle child traits may include:
- Top-tier peacemakers who can smooth over almost any situation
- Adaptable and easygoing (even when they’re lowkey screaming inside)
- Often feel overlooked or like they have to do the most to be seen
- People-pleasers who put everyone else first
- Social butterflies and community-minded, with strong friendships outside the family
- Can be rebellious when they feel boxed in
- Thrive when they’re allowed to define success on their own terms
- The ultimate go-between, translating vibes between generations, personalities, and moods
If you are the youngest...
The baby of the family walks through life knowing how to charm, persuade, and perform. They often grow up with more freedom and fewer expectations, which fuels their adventurous and carefree side. But that same freedom can sometimes lead to entitlement, or a tendency to seek validation by being the "fun one."
Youngest child traits might include:
- Social butterflies who light up a room and don’t mind the spotlight
- Natural charmers, funny, flirtatious, and usually down for anything
- Can be a little self-centered or attention-seeking (but you still love them for it)
- Tend to keep things uncomplicated… unless they’re not getting their way
- Known to be manipulative when trying to get what they want
- Free-spirited and bold in their choices
- Often underestimated, but capable of big things when they focus
- Thrive in spaces that let them express, explore, and be a little extra
If you are the only child...
Only children can be the ultimate "one woman show" as they are often a mix of all the birth orders rolled into one. Without siblings, they learn to entertain themselves, advocate for their needs, and navigate adult conversations early. That independence can make them magnetic, mature, and deeply introspective, but it also comes with a deep craving for validation and control.
Only child traits can include:
- Mature and wise beyond their years, often viewed as old souls
- Conscientious and responsible, usually the go-to person in their circle
- Seek approval and validation more than they let on
- Natural leaders with big ideas and even bigger plans
- Can be sensitive and deeply affected by criticism
- Prefer structure, routines, and control (sometimes to a fault)
- Like things done their way (and don’t love compromising)
- Thrive in solitude but still want to feel seen and celebrated
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