Every fashion enthusiast knows that Fifth Avenue is one of the best places to go shopping. But here at The New School, Fifth Avenue is more than that — it’s a runway. From statement bags to standout shoes, Fashion on Fifth is here to give you weekly, front row access to some of The New School’s chicest looks. This week, we’re focusing on red accents.

For this week’s Fashion on Fifth, I indulged in my love for sweets. When it comes to your average ice cream sundae, the cherry on top is what gets you brownie points. The same goes for what you wear.

As we learned from a student in the last issue of Fashion on Fifth NYC, accessories can either make or break an outfit. And now that autumn is starting to knock on the doors of our wardrobes again, it’s safe to trade in our pastel babydoll dresses and colorful crop tops for nude, chunky sweaters and dark leather jackets. Although realistically, this is New York. We wear black all year-round.

But in spite of that, it’s hard to miss the subtle pops of color that accessories provide. Want to know one color I’ve been seeing everywhere, even outside of campus? Red. It’s rich, bold, but still just as versatile as black. Whether it’s through a pair of ballet flats, a crossbody bag, or even a bold lip, wearing red is the ideal summer-to-fall transition. The students I spotted in the hue proved it was the perfect cherry on top of their looks, ensuring that it could satisfy any craving. 

Andrea Robbin she/her — @andreaarobbin

Second-year Eugene Lang College of Liberal Arts Journalism + Design student 

Upon first glance, Andrea’s all-black athleisure look screams classic New York street style. One can never go wrong with a black T-shirt and biker shorts, especially with New York’s reluctance to cool down. But do a double take, and you’ll notice that her shoes are the ones that take the cake. “I found them the first week of school, and now I wear them every day,” she tells me. “They’re just such a fun touch for every outfit.” I couldn’t agree more, Andrea. I’ll take this as my sign to add the Prada pumps these shoes remind me of to my wish list this fall season.

Ada Gribble she/her — @adaj0y 

Second-year Parsons School of Design illustration student 

I know the goal of this piece was to focus on red accents. But it was hard to focus when Ada strutted towards the Parsons building looking like a chic, grungy cowgirl. She was like a time machine to ‘90s Marc Jacobs, embodying his signature blend of grunge and high fashion — a style that defined the rebellious spirit of that era. “It’s laundry day, so I put on whatever I had in my closet that wasn’t being washed,” she laughs. I’m still in shock over that. I wish I could look this good on my laundry day! From the oversized plaid flannel down to the cowboy boots that were definitely made for walking, Ada really hit the mark. She not only married black and red well, but she achieved the perfect mix between punk edge and the rugged West too.

Isabelle Yang she/her — @isxbell3_yxng

First-year Parsons fine arts student 

Where Ada leaned a little into grunge with her look, Isabelle fully embraced it. With her itty bitty red tank top, burgundy micro shorts, and ripped tights, she resembled a Vivienne Westwood daydream. Vivienne had a knack for creating DIY-inspired pieces, a value Isabelle also took on with her look. She didn’t just accessorize her look with a splash of red either, the hue dominated her whole look. “I accidentally ripped these yesterday but couldn’t bring myself to throw them away,” she tells me as she gestures to her tights. “So I ripped them fresh this morning.” A fashionable (and resourceful) way to make do with an unfortunate situation. That fact alone reflects her fearless, unapologetic approach to life — something I immediately sensed in her strong personality (and spider tattoo). 

Eleanor Henry she/her — @ellie_henry

MA psychology student at The New School for Social Research 

Eleanor may be working toward her master’s in psychology, but in my eyes, she’s already mastered the art of elevating wardrobe basics. The simple black sweater and loafer combo may not seem like much, and that’s the point! They allow the eye-catching red bag she totes on her shoulder to truly shine. “The bag is from my best friend who’s in London right now.” She smiles as she shows me the bag. “There really isn’t much else to say about my fit, except that it’s fall!” Her look is truly a prime example of how a single, bold accessory can completely transform an outfit, turning an everyday look into something that’s sure to turn heads. Sometimes, it’s not about how many layers or trendy pieces you have on in one outfit but rather how you let one standout item take center stage. 

Fall is often synonymous with burnt oranges, earthy browns, and subdued greens, so this is the prime opportunity to cleanse our palates with the wide array of reds that also make up the autumnal menu. Where summer was for butter yellow and peach fuzz (according to Pantone), oxblood red serves as the perfect palate cleanser. So don’t fret, New Yorkers, you can still hold onto your trustworthy, all-black uniforms for the upcoming fall season. But as your self-proclaimed fashion server, may I suggest adding a red accessory as the cherry on top?