The Dress & Party of the People - Retrofête Fall/Winter 2025 - Orlando Style Magazine

By Josie NeJame

Retrofête takes a daring step forward for New York Fashion Week’s Fall/Winter 2025, staying true to its signature blend of vintage nostalgia and modern-day glamour. Ohad Seroya, the co-founder and creative force behind the brand, masterfully plays with contrasts—masculine and feminine, structured and fluid, classic and rebellious—crafting a collection that is both timeless and undeniably fresh.

+ exclusive Q&A with Retrofête’s Ohad Seroya!

This season, Retrofête embraces an evolution of style, weaving together inspirations from different decades. A-line skirts nod to the elegance of the ’60s, while bold British plaid patterns evoke the effortless cool of the ’90s. Rich, opulent hues—burgundy, ochre and deep cognac—lend a sense of quiet luxury, making every piece feel indulgent and unique.

Seroya’s love for reinvention is evident in his approach to tailoring. He reimagines classic menswear staples, transforming them into strikingly feminine silhouettes—think traditional men’s dress shoes reinterpreted as sleek heels, blending strength with sensuality. Power dressing takes center stage this season, with tailored trousers and sharp blazers creating an undeniable sense of poise. A stunning burgundy suit commands attention with its rich, velvety texture, while a gold ruched dress exudes effortless elegance—both embodying the balance between structure and movement that defines the collection.

On the runway, a houndstooth trench coat in a muted pinot hue offer a classic yet contemporary fall staple, while luxurious vintage-inspired faux furs drape over shoulders and layer effortlessly over distressed denim, proving that even casual moments can feel indulgent. The contrast between rugged denim and plush faux fur embodies the duality of the Retrofête woman—cool and confident, effortless yet elevated.

What makes Retrofête so special is that it’s one of the few brands where you’ll find both my daughters and me stepping out in different versions of its dresses, ready to celebrate. There’s something magical about a brand that speaks across generations, making every woman feel glamorous in her own way. When I shared this with Ohad, he was thrilled—because that’s exactly what he envisioned for Retrofête: a brand that brings people together through fashion, celebrating joy, confidence, and the art of dressing up.

Ohad, ever the vintage enthusiast, infuses the collection with Hollywood-inspired glamour, channeling his fascination with iconic figures like Sharon Stone. Whether it’s a slinky black dress paired with sheer tights and classic pumps, or a velvet gown adorned with open-back bow details, the Retrofête woman remains effortlessly glamorous, season after season.

With the introduction of accessories in S/S 24, the natural next step was footwear. Now, Retrofête completes the vision—offering a full head-to-toe wardrobe, from statement earrings and structured handbags to show-stopping shoes, ensuring that every woman can step into the world fully styled and utterly unforgettable.

But beyond the glitz and glamour of Retrofête’s designs, what struck me most in my conversation with Ohad Seroya was his deep passion for his craft and the journey it took to get here. He isn’t just designing clothes—he’s creating a lifestyle, a movement that celebrates confidence, individuality, and the sheer joy of dressing up. It was an absolute pleasure speaking with him, and I walked away not only inspired by his newest collection but also by the man behind the brand—someone truly devoted to his artistry and vision.

Here’s my exclusive Q&A with Retrofête’s Ohad Seroya:

Josie:

How was Retrofête started and what does Retrofête mean?

Ohad:

Yes, a beautiful question. My husband Aviad and I moved to New York 12 years ago and we opened a showroom. We were consulting to other brands and doing private labels. We really learned wholesale development and relationships while creating products for private labels. The showroom was growing, and we were helping so many labels. That’s when my husband had the idea that we should create our own brand. I didn’t want the stress, but my husband pushed me by telling me I could do this, because I always pushed myself to do more.

When we decided to come with the name, we had five people sit at a table (those five people are all with the company today) and we started to write stuff about myself. I always loved doing private labels and I was inspired by vintage. From the age of 17, I worked in fashion. I liked going to vintage and fashion houses. The beautiful dresses, beautiful techniques, I really appreciated the fashion of the past and then I could see it in the future. I had racks of dresses to dress my girlfriends, and this is how we came with the idea of retro…vintage. Then, Aviad and I love a party. If you come to our home, there will be a party with people, drinks, music, and food. And every time we go out, it’s about the party of the people. We like to enjoy and create energy and have a good ambiance with everyone. So, we said party, it’s one of the words. Then we translated party to the French word fête. This is how we created Retrofête

Josie:

Let’s talk about the story Retrofête’s FW25 campaign?

Ohad:

I brought a masculinity and feminine to the models looks. I wanted it to feel like there’s an energy between them. You know, one day you feel like you want to be more edgy, bossy and sexy and the next day you want to be more fun and easy. I really tried to show the powerful woman in the campaign. 98% of my company is women employed. Women have always been so kind to me and have protected me. I owe them the way I am.

Josie:

I can see and feel a lot of your excitement and joy. Where does your joy come from?

Ohad:

I’m a normal person. You know, I will never hide what kind of person I am. I have some bad days, and I have some good days, but I learned to be, try to be much more positive. My grandmother always said, health is number one and to appreciate that I’m able to breathe, walk and be healthy. So, I do need to thank God, this is most important. I’m making my dream come true. I cry for that sometimes and I’m happy for it. I love what I’m doing. I’m really love what I’m doing.

Josie:

I love what you’ve shown me. Do you have a favorite piece from this collection?

Ohad:

To be honest, it’s hard. I love everything. The dresses that I draped, those might be one my favorites, but I really love everything!

Josie:

Who would you like to see wearing Retrofête?

Ohad:

When you see someone wearing your clothing walking down the street, you appreciate it that much more. Celebrities are great, like Beyonce or Taylor Swift wearing your pieces. But, when you see a person in a restaurant who went to buy your product and they’re wearing it as their own style, there’s something about that. Automatically, we create a connection. So, I always go to these people and create a conversation with them to show them my appreciation and to thank them for buying my product. As a designer, I tell everyone you have to listen to people.

Josie:

Are there any projects or collaborations that you see coming up soon that you’d like to share with Orlando Style readers?

Ohad:

Yes, we are doing a Retrofête pop up at The Standard hotel in Miami Beach this spring. The Standard is one of my favorite spots in Miami. The most beautiful sunset, people and Retrofête… it’s so my vibe.

Retrofête’s current collection is available at retrofete.com and locally at Sultre boutique in Winter Park. To place F/W 25 pre-orders, contact Sultre at 407-699-9696.