Collection 015, ‘Exhale,’ Marks the Designer’s Return to the Runway
After seven years away from the official New York Fashion Week calendar, Christopher John Rogers made a triumphant return with his Fall 2025 collection, ‘Exhale.’ The name couldn’t be more fitting: after a meteoric rise that cemented his place at the top of American fashion, the designer has found a new rhythm—more mature, more intentional, yet still bursting with the exuberance that made him a standout in the industry.
A New Era for CJR
Since his NYFW debut in 2018, Rogers and his team have been on a whirlwind journey. Fresh out of college, they quickly gained recognition, securing major accolades like the CFDA/Vogue Fashion Fundin 2019 and the CFDA Emerging Designer of the Year Award the following year. His ascent was swift, and his maximalist aesthetic—defined by bold colors, sculptural silhouettes, and a touch of theatricality—made him a favorite among celebrities and even the White House.
Now, Rogers returns not just as an established designer but as someone who has taken the time to pause, breathe, and redefine his relationship with fashion. “Last year was a season of introspection, of reassessing what really mattered to us,” he shared backstage. “I felt the need to come back and present a body of work at the same time as my peers, to be part of the conversation about what we’re all experiencing.”
Fashion as a Breath of Relief
‘Exhale’ is an ode to liberation—letting go of external expectations, industry pressures, and even self-imposed creative constraints. The collection reflects this newfound perspective, balancing Rogers’ signature vibrancy with a more refined and sophisticated approach.
Sculptural volumes remain, but now they feel more fluid and effortless. Draped dresses in airy fabrics evoke movement and freedom, while oversized suits are reimagined with a relaxed, almost meditative tailoring. The color palette, always a strong point for CJR, expands between bold, unexpected hues and sophisticated neutrals, embodying this new sense of balance.
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