Inside New York Fashion Week where subtle luxury still reigns supreme

• Quiet luxury was everywhere at Badgley Mischka's runway show during New York Fashion Week.
• Influencers, celebrities, and fashion fans told BI they think the trend is timeless.
• The show itself was also representative of the style, featuring neutral outfits and elegant fabrics.

When Badgley Mischka took over the Starrett-Lehigh Building in New York City, one thing was clear: quiet luxury is here to stay.

Influencers, celebrities, and friends of the designers packed into the industrial venue on Saturday, carrying designer purses in hand and wearing chic coats on their backs.

"Gossip Girl" star Kelly Rutherford mingled with Jonathan Cheban of "Keeping Up With the Kardashians" fame, and Adrienne Bailon-Houghton shared a bench with model Madisin Rian.

The duo behind the brand — Mark Badgley and James Mischka — greeted such guests via notes left on each seat, explaining how the fall 2024 line was inspired by the luxury and reality of living in New York City.

"This collection is about the precision and drama of Park Avenue glass towers and the velvet-lined floral cocoons in their lobbies," the note read. "It is a dance we love to do, of control and extravagance."

With that in mind, it's probably not surprising that those in attendance told Business Insider that they're in line with Badgley Mischka — luxury is best served subtly.

"Quiet luxury speaks for itself. I feel like less is more," influencer Daisy Marquez told BI.

Elizabeth Woods, the mom and manager of Jordyn Woods, agreed. Because she usually prefers shopping on a budget, she doesn't flaunt her more expensive pieces when she wears them.

"I'm always quiet luxury," she said while pointing to her Cartier glasses, which were a gift from her daughter Jordyn.

And Dhaval Bhanusali, the dermatologist behind Hailey Bieber's skincare line Rhode, was right there with her.

"I think there's a fine appreciation for art that's important, but a lot of times, you don't necessarily have to shout it from the rooftops," he said. "I will always go with quiet luxury."

The loud rise of quiet luxury

A few months into 2023, quiet luxury emerged as a major trend.

Thomaï Serdari, the director of the fashion and luxury MBA program at NYU's Stern School of Business, previously told BI that the trend consists of "the highest quality" clothing that's timeless, sophisticated, and simple.

Think neutral colors and thick fabrics. Now pair them with classic accessories: gold jewelry, black sunglasses, and leather purses. You've got yourself the ultimate quiet-luxury look.

Some also describe it as the "old money" aesthetic, or dressing like a wealthy fashion icon from decades past. Members of Gen Z, like Sofia Richie, are especially fond of the style.

Of course, it hasn't risen to the top without competition. Though quiet-luxury status symbols are everywhere in 2024, some fashion fans are making the case for loud luxury looks — or outfits that feature logos, out-there silhouettes, and bolder colors more prominently.

"Quiet luxury had its moment, and the moment has passed," costume designer and stylist Molly Farrell-Savage told BI. "I'm from Connecticut, where quiet luxury is the thing, so I just see so much that I'm over it."

But even fashion fans who understand loud luxury say it's still not the best look.

Eva Marcille, a former "America's Next Top Model" winner and "The Real Housewives of Atlanta" star, told BI that quiet luxury will always remain the ultimate sign of style.

"I think people want to go loud luxury because, after COVID and everything that's happened, there's fashion from two seasons that we couldn't wear," Marcille said. "But less is more. It's still all about simplicity."