At Bon Studios on a chilly Wednesday, I ascended the stairs to the BELLE Autumn/Winter 2025 presentation and found myself in an intimate room with wine, cheese, and soft music. Very different from the bold and high energy of other fashion week events, Belle offered a moment of reflection and appreciation for clothes amidst an otherwise hectic week.

Hung delicately on racks, the clothes were placed throughout the venue in sections for attendees to interact with. After receiving a glass of crisp orange wine, I began to observe the room and its pieces. Immediately, the feel of the collection stood out to me– all complimentary yet individual types of fabrics, from sheers to silks. The fabrics also varied in density, some pieces having a thick texture and others thin and breezy. Notable to me was the pairing of cupro alongside jerseys and silks – as we return to our most basic senses in winter, the winter collection’s tactical variety was very satisfying. Soft to the touch, the sweaters and blouses were designed thoughtfully and meant for layering, with the various draping and notable cutouts creating elegant new silhouettes. The color palette was markedly neutral, which created a very natural feeling. These were pieces I could pair together effortlessly, and wear to anything– be it a cocktail bar or a early spring picnic.

Walking through the floor and observing the meticulously placed campaign printouts and furniture, I found myself discussing the collection with several attendees. “Sophistication” was the word most brought up in regards to Belle’s work, with a no-frills atmosphere as well: this collection was meant to be worn, and is not just eye candy. I would agree with the practicality of the collection, but I would also add that the collection still knows how to have fun, playing with the frills of nostalgia. This was further emphasized through the presentation, where by allowing us to interact with the clothes, we could gain a deeper appreciation for the work Belle and her team put into each garment.

The event itself was a sensory experience– from the well dressed guests chatting casually on a Wednesday evening to the nostalgic videos playing quietly against the walls. The only critique? Some of the pieces appeared quite basic at first– but when considering the quality of material and purpose of the collection, it became intentionally cohesive. Upon a closer look, there are subtle details such as cutouts or a sweater with an attached scarf that make the garments able to be worn in multiple ways, adding to their inherent and intended versatility.

I ended the night chatting to the eponymous label’s founder and designer Annabelle Noelle herself about how it felt to create and share such an intimate, joyful presentation. For Annabelle, “Glimmer” is a collection about evoking the feelings of a spark of warmth in a winter collection. Likening it to the gentle rays of the sun amid a cold winter, the team was passionate in the design of the collection in the pursuit in chasing that feeling. Glimmer was meant to feel natural, a collection that came naturally and smoothly– something that definitely came across throughout the whole ambiance and relaxed yet satisfied smiles of attendees. After connecting with fellow fashion attendees, admiring the newest line, and finishing a glass of wine, I myself certainly felt a bit of glimmer inside as I exited the presentation, back into the reality of chilly air and the quiet sidewalks of a Brooklyn Wednesday night.

You can find more of BELLE online at their social media via @BelleTheLabel and shop the current season at www.BelleTheLabel.com.

Lookbook imagery courtesy of BELLE.