Christian Cowan Spring/Summer 2025 Runway Collection

Christian Cowan debuted his Spring/Summer 2025 ready-to-wear collection during New York Fashion Week at the BLADE EAST tarmac in New York City on Sunday, September 8, 2024.

The show, with its unforgettable mystery theme, was set against the dramatic backdrop of the East River and the Queens skyline, enhancing the overall atmosphere. The collection featured a bold palette of silver, black, and cobalt blue, combining sharp tailoring with a theatrical flair.

Speaking on the inspiration and mood of his Spring/Summer 2025 Collection, Christian Cowan stated: “Spluttering interrupts Wagner’s “Tristan und Isolde: Overture”, everyone turns abruptly, only to see Clarice falling to her side, clutching her Verdura Stardust necklace with one hand, the other leaning against the golden De Gournay wallpaper. She stares with an unsettling horror at her martini which she had thought to herself had tasted strange, as the chilling thought dawned upon her, “it was poisoned!”. Her ankles give way, her lashes flutter, letting out a cry she grabs what’s nearest, pulling the table cloth Mercedes got at Bergdorf last summer with all its delicious contents onto the polished parquet floor. Hysteria runs wild as the ladies aid Clarice, all the while trying to decipher, who could have done this?! They turn to see a flash of a taffeta and fur running out the door. “AFTER HER” they cry!!! What was promising to be Vienna’s ball of the season, now turns into the most glamorously chic hunt for a murderer…”

Astrid & Miyu served as the exclusive jewelry partner for this stunning Spring/Summer 2025 collection and fierce pumps from DSW (Designer Shoe Warehouse) are also featured at the runway show.

For his cinematic Spring/Summer 2025 ready-to-wear collection presentation, Cowan collaborated with CND® (Creative Nail Design, Inc.) and renowned celebrity manicurist and educator Julie Kandalec, who led the nail artistry for the models.

Christian Cowan Spring/Summer 2025 Runway Show Nail Art by Lead Nail Artist, Julie Kandalec for CND®

We drew inspiration from one of our principal house codes-the star. We’re known for our exciting and playful use of the star, so it made sense to see how we translated this into nails. The innovative way in which CND and Julie has incorporated the star into a cut out is something I’ve never seen before and is a testament to the nail technicians’ talent.
— Christian Cowan.

For the main look we wanted to really bring the stars to life through the nails by framing star cutouts in inverted half moon tips. CND BRISA GLASS provided the perfect adhesion for this design. For the second look, my amazing team and I hand painted every star using CND SHELLAC in Black Pool against varying pink-nude bases, Field Fox and Silk Slip Dress, to make the stars pop.
— Lead Nail Artist, Julie Kandalec.

Look Breakdown: Star Cutouts

• Begin with P.E.P. (for more details visit CND.com)
• Using an e-file, shape the tips of CND™ Pre-Shaped Coffin Tips to an inverted half-moon.
• Apply one layer of CND™ SHELLAC™ Base Coat and cure using CND LED Lamp preset button 1.
• Apply two layers of CND™ SHELLAC™ in Black Pool and cure in between each layer using preset button 2S.
• Using CND™ BRISA GLASS™ attach black star cutouts painted in the same shade to the center of the half-moon tip and cure using preset button 2S.
• Apply one layer of CND™ SHELLAC™ No-Wipe+ Top Coat to the entire nail and star cutout and cure using preset button 3.

New York, September 8, 2024 – Christian Cowan Spring/Summer 2025 Runway Show Nail Art
Photos courtesy of CND®.

Look Breakdown: Minimalist Stars

• Begin with P.E.P. (for more details visit CND.com)
• Apply one layer of CND™ SHELLAC™ Base Coat and cure using CND LED Lamp preset button 1.
• Apply two layers of CND™ SHELLAC™ in Field Fox or Silk Slip Dress and cure in between each layer using preset button 2S.
• Using a detailed art brush, hand-paint a star design using CND™ SHELLAC™ in Black Pool on the center of the nail bed.
• Finish with one layer of CND™ SHELLAC™ No-Wipe+ Top Coat and cure using preset button 3.
• Apply CND™ SolarOil™ to condition nails and cuticles.

New York, September 8, 2024 – Christian Cowan Spring/Summer 2025 Runway Show Nail Art Products by CND®. Photos courtesy of CND®.

SHOW CREDITS:

Styling: Christian Cowan @christiancowan
Music: DJ RaH RahH @djrahrahh
Casting: Natthias Mitchinson
Make-up: Kanako for ADDICTION Beauty @addictiontokyo.us | @addictionbeauty_official
Skin: La Roche-Posay @LaRochePosay
Hair: LACY REDWAY @LacyRedway for TRESemmé @TRESemme
Nails: Julie Kandalec @julieknailsnyc for CND® @cndworld
Footwear: DSW Designer Shoe Warehouse @dsw
Umbrellas: SHED RAIN Umbrellas + Rainwear @shedrain1947
Jewelry: Astrid & Miyu @AstridandMiyu
Photography: Daniiele Oberrauch / Gorunway.com | @danieleoberrauch
Production: The Riviere Agency @riviereagency
PR: Purple @purplepr

Christian Cowan
christiancowan.com | @christiancowan

Christian Cowan is a collection of womenswear founded by its namesake designer in 2017. Renowned for his ability to create pieces that are at once fabulous and wearable, Cowan has been described as “the go-to New York designer for high-octane glamour”.

CND®
https://www.cnd.com | @cndworld

Founded in 1979, CND® (Creative Nail Design, Inc.) is the global leader in professional nail products and services – including CND® SHELLAC® Brand 14+ Day Nail Color. Deeply committed to advancing the nail care industry, CND® devotes significant time and resources to product research and development, education, and customer support. Only CND® delivers high performance nail color on the cutting edge of fashion and technology.

Julie Kandalec
https://juliekandalec.com | @julieknailsnyc | @julieknailacademy

From major beauty campaigns to backstage at Fashion Week, Julie Kandalec is the nail professional editors, designers, and celebrities call on to make their dream nails come to life. The founding creative director of Paintbox in New York City, Julie made chic and on-trend nails accessible to a mainstream clientele and now shares two decades of experience with beauty professionals around the world as part of her online courses. Her clients include P!nk, Selena Gomez, Jessica Chastain, Emily Blunt, Joe Jonas, Camila Cabello, and Lauren Sanchez. Her work has been featured in Allure, Cosmopolitan, Elle, Glamour, Harper’s Bazaar, InStyle, Vogue, WWD, and on campaigns for Chanel, Dior Beauty, Gucci, Tiffany & Co., Glossier, Bobbi Brown, Urban Decay, and Maybelline.

Runway Photography © 2024, Daniiele Oberrauch / Gorunway.com,
Courtesy of Christian Cowan.

Nail art images courtesy of CND®. All images used by permission.