NYFW takes place within the first two weeks of February, an iconic time of year for New Yorkers and anyone else who may be a fashion lover. This almost full month-long event showcases world-renowned designers and brands and opens hundreds of doors for new and upcoming designers who are trying to make their own names.
This year I had the opportunity to attend several shows each highlighting its unique style. The Fashion 420 Runway Show, presented by SBFashion, The Ethereal Fashion Show, and Small Boutique NYFW Runway Show, each showcased three to five designers, and out of all of them, my favorite show was The Ethereal Fashion Show.
As someone who had never attended NYFW, I was so in awe of the presentation and execution of this show. It brought the upscale and traditional vibes I was expecting, but it also held extremely fun and interactive moments that made it memorable.
The music playlists chosen for the show and each designer were immaculate and the MC brought the vibes UP.
And a show is only as good as its audience, The Ethereal, where the runway was held, did a great job of creating a beautiful space that allowed vendors to be highlighted throughout the entire event while also providing live entertainment to keep the crowd interactive, and lively, which they were. Each guest I met was very friendly and extremely well-dressed. It truly made my NYFW dreams come true.
Designed and Styled by Chavelis Playhouse for The Ethereal Fashion Show.
Photography: KateLynn Herrera & Emma Garber
My favorite designer from this show goes by the name ‘Chaveli’s Playhouse’. Her designs were so whimsical and childlike but in the very best way. It was refreshing seeing her designs come alive and by her definition “play” on the runway. I loved her curious personality through her designs in comparison to the upscale, clean-cut, professional looks NYFW is known to bring.
I wasn’t the only one experiencing the wonderful whirlwind of a first-time NYFW, for 22-year-old Fashion Stylist, Emma Garber, she saw the show from a different side of the runway.
Emma was very involved working as Back of House Manager for Rise Fashion Events, Social Media Assistant for Revive Fashion Week, Styling Assistant for Chavelis Playhouse, and a Backstage Assistant for Art Hearts Fashion.
While ‘Chavelis Playhouse’ was a favorite of mine, Emma had a different highlight from her week in NY, “My most memorable moment was at Vellachor when one of the corsets that walked the runway was hand painted in front of us during the runway,” she told 47Magazine.
Pictured above, NYFW designs by Vellachor
“Vellachor made her NYFW debut and was amazing.” Vellachor, whose designs were described as an “elevated, romantic, and whimsy style that is very modern and timeless,” by the stylist showcased dresses with unique and intricate silhouettes at her runway show. “I know Ella Titus, the Designer, is going to grow very quickly in this industry,” said Garber.
Timothy Romero, 26, assisted Jane Wade’s show, Vettese, and Leblancstudios - all in Manhattan, for his first NYFW.
“I definitely do think Jane Wade’s designs & show caught my eye the most,” said Romero.
“Jane’s show gave strong dystopian office siren vibes, and the music coupled with the models (including Lisa Rinna) and the designs emphasized this. Vetesse was very organic and simple, the Italian instrumentals and vocals in the background made it feel very intimate. Leblancstudio’s show was dark (set wise), the models walked slowly on salt/rocks so you were very tuned into the show and their walk, you had time to appreciate the designs.”
To many NYFW is a ticket to some of the hottest events in town, but what the designers are doing, from small indie pop-up runways, to carefully designed large shows, means a lot to artists, and their audiences.
“Leblancstudios’ Latin-American roots and background was something that personally stuck out to me (being a Mexican-American in the US) so being able to see first hand the designs on the runway, seeing families and friends of the designer enjoy the show and the designs - it oddly felt like I was at a family reunion. I think that’s why that one felt more personal to me.”
Marketing and Business student, Lucía Huerta Del Sol, 20, was another first-time NYFW attendee, but as a previous Paris Fashion Week attendee, was provided a newfound view of the runway here in New York.
Del Sol worked for The Art Heart Fashion and had the opportunity to help with content creation for several runways such as Carlos Pineda, Bad Pink, Nif Global, Giannina Azar, Raúl Peñaranda.
“Working with them backstage is a completely different experience as in this way, I was able to see how every piece was being built, the process behind the show, and how talented the designers are,” said the first-timer.
New York Fashion Week will forever maintain a significant amount of recognition and admiration from thousands of people, brands, companies, designers, and many more every year. Though many try to defer first-timers and those looking to enter the fashion world, there are just as many people looking to help you navigate it.
NYFW changes every year and gives those looking to create, the chance to become better and better. NYFW is used as an outlet for many people; it allows us to take time away from whatever life may be throwing at us, tap into our own creative mindsets, and truly learn from one another while gaining insight into how fashion speaks through different cultures, experiences, and imaginations.
My first New York Fashion Week was more than I could have ever dreamed of, and I hope it continues to amaze me and anyone else willing to step out of their comfort zone, and into the chic and fabulous world of NYFW.
Written by KateLynn Herrera
Photography by Lucía Huerta Del Sol, Emma Garber, KateLynn Herrera, and Timothy Romero