Costuming the Ballet: History and Storytelling through Fashion

From fashion to the stage the New York City ballet company history and innovation are key to creating amazing designs. Gianna Reisen, Marc Happel, Humberto Leon, Zac Posen and Moderator: Donya Archer Bommer discussed 10 years of creating costumes for the New York City Ballet Fall Fashion Gala which is coming up this year on September 28th. According to the panel, the fashion gala is the one event where costumes take precedence over all the other performance elements and the Ballet has worked with over 30 renowned designers over the years creating a crossover between fashion and dance. Gianna Reisen choreographer and former ballerina said, "For the fall fashion gala the costumes are the first thing to think about because ethe fashion element is so important to an event like this." 

According to Marc Happel, Dancers have an affinity for wearing costumes that previous legendary dancers wore. They love the connection tot he past and the tags of the costumes even bear the names of past dancers who performed in them. So it creates an incredible sense of living history. The New York City Ballet is also unique for its archival collection of costumes which many designers have used when creating the costume designs. This season, the audience will be in for a special treat with the costumes. The panelists revealed that the costumes will be adorned with over 800,000 Swarovski crystals which are currently being sewn in the workshop in preparation for the gala. 

Zac Posen who has been a household name in the NY fashion scene for years is one of the designers the ballet has tapped in the past to work on the Fall Gala. He spoke about his experience designing costumes for that and other projects at the ballet. He talked about how excited he was to explore the archives when he first started the project. His designs focused on deconstruction and he recalled an instant where he had a discussion with his subject Lauren who he was designing for. He said all designers should have this moment where they are able to connect with their subject and for him he was able to get in touch with the sense of reflection the dancer was experiencing at the time about career, past performances and more. Posen also discussed how when looking through the archives he got to feel the presence of the past dancers when looking at the costumes. This inspired Posen to create what he called a "distorted line of history of the pieces" He recalled turning pieces inside out and also was inspired by the extreme discipline required for ballet dancers. He focused his designs on capturing a place of beauty and darkness a style which he affectionally named  "fucked up Degas". Marc Happel chimed in remembering the comical label. 

For another designer who had previously partnered with the ballet, Humberto Leon, the ballet became a place for him to explore social controversy and design. He even ended up showing his collection at the ballet one season and he recalled that the performance aspect has allowed his pieces form that collection to take on a life of their own. He said hat he wanted people to wear the clothes beyond the ballet and interact with arts in a beautiful way. 

The choreographer Gianna added her perspective as a former dancer saying that costumes should make dancers feel confident and powerful. Bringing high fashion into ballet is such an interesting balance and challenge because Gianna wants to ensure her dancers feel good in their costumes. She added that the care and time the designers put into personalizing the costumes really makes a difference for the dancers. She said that it's a whole different experience as a dancer to wear something you feel good in. 

Marc Happel pointed out that designers also take away new lessons and perspectives after experiencing working with the ballet. So the exchange is not just one sided with designers bringing fashion perspectives to the ballet gala but they also walk away with often new outlooks and techniques. 

Posen agreed there is definitely a crossover and recalled some of the things he had learned saying, "my experience was learning close up vs. distance and considering things like lighting, space etc. is huge. Designing for the audience being far away there's a boldness that needs to take place." 

For Humberto Leon thinking about movement and flexibility that is used in dance helped him realize how uncomfortable most normal clothes actually are. He told the audience that it really helped change his relationship with clothing. 

Zac Posen encouraged the audience to explore the ballet as you never know what you might learn from it. The inspiring panel wrapped up and I don't know about you but am definitely looking forward to seeing those 800k Swarovski crystals! 

New Designers at NYFW To Watch This Season

While NYFW has been back from Covid for two official seasons now this may be the first season many people feel is a true New York Fashion Week experience. CFDA CEO Steven Kolb opened fashion week on Thursday night at Gracie Mansion and according to an article on FashionNetwork.com he stated, “This season is about power and action. Of course the pandemic meant a gradual return but this is finally full on fashion week.”

But for many in the industry fashion week is full of new faces and new challenges this season and rather than feeling a familiar return there is a new energy in the air. In an exclusive interview industry veteran Bridget Foley who previously worked as Executive Editor of WWD for over a decade stated, “New York fashion week has always been about finding new designers and new talent but I think what we’re seeing this season is a revalidation.” Industry experts have noted that this season in many cases reflects a selection of new designers and up and coming talent that has not been offered in past years. Some notable up and coming brands to watch include Deity New York, Fe Noel, Puppets and Puppets, Wiederhoeft and more. Foley noted that while it can be very difficult for new designers to pull together a show we are seeing a revalidation on the promise of what new talent can bring to the industry.

Foley also said,“The fashion industry has a sense of community which is very important. And we are seeing many new faces in the audience with influencers, social media, etc. which is great. The fashion industry is one of the most kinetic industries in the world and has continued to evolve.” Among those new faces includes New York State Governor Kathy Hochul and Mayor Adams of NYC who have both been spotted attending events this season and last season. This in itself speaks to the revalidation of the fashion show as well as this specific fashion week. Foley said, “I think that we’ve realized we can’t take it for granted. Fashion is an enormous industry that accounts for many jobs and millions of dollars. In NYC it’s very diverse and we’re seeing more points of view. It’s very important for the people in power to recognize that.” She went on to say that she has noticed a renewed focus on the importance of supporting new talent with the potential to create powerful and successful businesses and give opportunities to new designers and brands.

While new faces are one side of the coin the lack of some familiar faces from the scene should also be noted. Some brands who were fixtures on the NYFW calendar for years such as Ralph Lauren (who instead chose to show in LA this October) are not showing this season.

When discussing the changing dynamics of this week’s lineup Foley said, “We’re seeing a clarification of what the fashion show means.” She noted that many brands have shown an increased selectivity when choosing to participate in fashion week or not saying, “Even the most low key show is very very expensive to put on. Some brands have realized the money could be better spent on other things.”

She added, “I love fashion shows. But it’s true that sometimes it’s not the best way to communicate the aesthetic for that brand or collection.” With consumers tightening their belts and many brands still rebounding from Covid losses budgets have become a deciding factor in many brands decision to put on a live show. Foley noted, “Some brands realize they just can’t afford it.” Covid has forced a collective step back and offered all of us the chance to evaluate what is truly important in our lives and what we want to spend our energy on and this is true for the fashion industry as well.

Of course many fan favorites are still showing this season. Foley pointed out that for many designers fashion week creates a creative rhythm that is hard to replace. She said. “Many designers design for the show and that’s something that plays into it.”

However, if bigger brands are generally cutting back on fashion show spending, how can new brands with even tighter budgets afford to participate?

Foley said, “It’s so hard for young designers to get established. Staging a fashion show is enormously expensive.” She added that new designers also must consider if they will stand out against major brands and get noticed or if they will be lost in the chaos of fashion week news. In order to put on a successful show designers must pull together sponsors for hair and makeup, find venues, and hire models and support staff.

According to designer Renee Bishop of the up and coming brand Deity New York putting together this season’s show was According to designer Renee Bishop of the up and coming brand Deity New York putting together this season’s show was not an easy road but she was ultimately able to create the event she had envisioned.  She recounted the experience of putting together her first full fledged runway show in contrast with last season’s presentation format in which the clothes were displayed on mannequins saying, “With pressure comes diamonds, and that’s how I feel about putting together my second runway collection, after presenting last season in a presentation format.  My team and I started back in June, right after we presented the Deity resort collection.  Spring / Summer looks great…filled with texture and color; it’s this mix of the natural and manufactured. I can’t wait for it to be in the runway! New York is so wonderful to present in for all its diversity. New York Fashion Week is for everyone and that makes it all the more special.

Despite the challenges the industry has faced navigating the post covid fashion week landscape many are still excited for the return to in person events. Foley said, “It’s interesting that for all of the alternatives no group of options has emerged as a really sound alternative to fashion week.” For Foley there is no other moment like a fashion show. She feels that whether it is in person or on a screen it is a truly powerful experience for brands and audience alike to feel the magic of a live fashion show and presenting a new collection for the first time. She said she feels it can often be the strongest way to communicate a collection’s aesthetic.

One of the ways fashion week has been adapting to these new norms is by creating more involved partnerships with sponsors. One example is UPS who has partnered with fashion week the past two seasons by highlighting small designers from minority communities. Designers and UPS have worked together to create new ways of partnering up. Angelo Baque streetwear designer and founder of Awake New York said that his vision is to create new norms for corporate partners and ensure that giving back to the community is the first priority. 

According to UPS brand representative Carlos Cuerto, "UPS is ecstatic about the opportunity to support New York Fashion Week. We are developing a very strong partnership and committed to the development of fashion designers and the fashion industry as a whole. UPS is a catalyst of their growth as well because once they scale and you know designers, launch their brands and commercialize their products, UPS wants to serve as a partner when they ship it, you know, and they conquer new markets domestically and internationally. UPS wants to be part of that growth. We are committed to the support of underrepresented minorities and we know that fashion serves as an avenue to access a lot of diversity like latinx, women, also African American owned businesses so we want to make sure that we serve as a catalyst for their growth." 

It will be interesting to see how these partnerships and runway shows evolve as fashion designers navigate this new landscape and more exciting developments continue to grow! 

Glam Slam Day 2: Maison Kitsune Celebrates US Open at NYFW with Pop Up Shop

This season NYFW held the Glam Slam series of events to celebrate the US Open bringing together fashion and sports as well as giving fans an opportunity to meet some of their favorite athletes. Sponsored by Chase Sapphire the rooftop events included panels, drinks, bites, and of course fashion. On day 2 Juan Martin Del Potro & Vicente Munoz came out to discuss tennis, men's style, and more. 

Juan Marco del Potro discussed his transition off the court and into the role of commentator. He told the audience he would always miss tennis but his role as commentator has given him a unique perspective to keep up with the game. He talked about how he felt the fashion and styles for men's tennis had evolved and the latest trends he was seeing. He shared that color was definitely the future echoing what we heard about women's trends in the earlier panels. He added that he had also noticed more options for designers in men's tennis which was a great improvement for the players who had more diversity of options. 

The tennis star shared what it was like coming from Argentina to the Big Apple for the US Open saying "it was a gig difference". He also spoke about his career as a top 10 player in the world and how he achieved his dreams. He emphasized that no matter what you are going after it is important to never give up and always give 100% effort even in practices. He also talked about how being resilient and staying in the moment had helped him in his career. 

 

Guests enjoyed beats by Gonnie Garko as they took in the rooftop views from Spring Studios. The DJ and pop up shop were courtesy of Maison Kitsune a French Japanese brand that focuses on style and simplicity. The brand has recently launched a series of events called back to Launch to celebrate the return of in person events. The pop up shop featured classic pieces from the Maison Kitsune line that could be used for sportswear, athleisure, and more. According to brand representative Charly Araton. the brand has been focusing  on offering their customers designs that can be worn outside as they have noticed a demand as people enjoy the good weather and a summer outside their homes. 

Guests enjoyed shopping the collection while watching the screening of the US Open after the panel and it was a great way to relax in between busy fashion week events! 

Glam Slam at NYFW: Laura Brown and Maria Sharapova Talk Tennis, Fashion and More!

 

Laura Brown former Editor of InStyle Magazine and fashion expert interviewed Tennis and fashion icon Maria Sharapova about her style, life after tennis, and more on the opening day of NYFW Glam Slam events which are bringing together fashion and sports for the first time at NYFW. The event featured a pop-up, gourmet snacks, Rose by Ott Wines, and amazing rooftop views overlooking downtown. The glamourous event brought fans of tennis and fashion out to enjoy an afternoon discussing style and a special screening of the US Open. 

Laura Brown wore a flowy maxi dress by Australian designer Dena Pharaoh Pezzano. Brown said, "Extremely excited to be here at the Glam Slam! Just finished a great chat with the inimitable Maria Sharapova, I love her, always been a fan of hers, and we sort of pseudo know each other socially, so it's nice to be out here under an umbrella."

When I asked her about her look for the event she said, "Oh, it’s actually a really beautiful Australian brand called Saloon Design House by two lovely girls from New South Wales" 

Maria Sharapova wore a bright red coat over her jeans and jokingly referred to the hot day saying, "Here I am in a coat the things we do for fashion!" The weather was definitely warm and made for a hot but sunny event that still had guests feeling like it was summer. The conversation then turned to fashion obviously and Sharapova described her first experiences with defining her style on the court recounting a time at Wimbledon early in her career when her opponent showed up in the same Nike dress as her. She recalled that was when she realized that she wanted to wear her own unique styles on the court. She said, "I wanted to have my own perspective and point of view represented." She told the audience that she believes that what players wear give them strength since it is like their version of a uniform. 

As for her taste in high fashion she recalled that it developed when she started attending events off the court and at a Wimbledon ball she fell in love with a Louis Vuitton piece. She said, "That was when I started understanding fashion." She recalled, "The first fashion show I ever went to was Marc Jacobs." She also described the process she went through as a public figure learning about how the fashion world worked with stylists, borrowing clothes from designers, and how many people want to influence your style. She described her process of learning about the industry saying, "Like, it was, I always kinda had a lot of slack for having a passion in fashion or design, or like, people, it didn’t quite resonate with people, like you can’t be good at that and that, like, they just wanted to separate those buckets, which I didn’t really realize, I think, because I was too young, but I was very curious to learn and I’d put myself out there in these meetings that were, you know, like for older people, not me, but I learned a lot, you know? I would come out of those meetings, and I think it takes a lot to raise your hand and ask a question as opposed to always have an answer, and you know it probably takes confidence and letting go of your self-esteem, and allowing people to teach you.” Many women face steretyping or are met with confusion for having what can seem like conflicting passions. But Sharapova was able to combine her interests and overcome the obstacles even at such a young age which was so inspiring. 

Brown asked the tennis icon how she felt about the game today and whether the fashions on the court have changed. Sharapova said, "I feel like players have a lot more say in what they wear a feel like there is a lot of fearless fashion confidence and risk taking. It's important to be original. When I went on court I remember wanting my style to represent elegance." And even off court today the fashion icon still has an elegant wardrobe. 

Since leaving tennis and becoming a mom Sharpaova has started many new ventures. She discussed the transition from pro athlete status saying, "My career taught me time management. When you are a female who has a strong platform, you need a sense of self esteem to move on." She is now working on her business plans and is investing in women owned companies and businesses she believes in. And she still keeps tennis on in the background at her house or Friends reruns. The inspirational mom said, "I've seen it from the side of being a woman in that spot that didn't have equal pay and that's always been a fight for us so I'm continuing that from the business side as well." Some of her proudest achievements included being open to learning new things, not knowing everything and putting herself in the position to ask questions and seek guidance anyways. According to the star these are all things she plans on taking into the business world as well. 

Of course the topic of equal pay can't be discussed without the mention of Venus Williams and Sharapova said, "She's such an inspiration. She wanted to go out fighting with grit and grace and she did. I've watched her stand up for equal prize money and equal pay throughout her career." Laura Brown added "and sparkles! When in doubt wear sparkles." referencing the amazing looks Venus has served up during the US Open this year filled with glitter and crystals. Seeing women who are standing up for what they believe in and looking good while doing it is the ultimate goal. 

Sharapova ended the panel with advice for the next generation saying, "I always stay hungry for more. As a woman when you're at the top of your game you're often faced with a lot of adversity. It doesn't get easier." 

It was a truly inspiring panel and a great way to kick off NYFW!

NYFW Report Day 4: Looking to the Future with Virtual Fashion

New York Fashion Week returned in person this season with a stellar lineup of fashion shows and presentations from new designers and household names alike. However, several major brands chose to remain virtual including Jonathan Simkhai, Alice and Olivia, and more. It seems this pandemic practicality is here to stay for the fashion world. At NYFW: The Talks a panel of experts explored what we can expect from virtual fashion shows, the metaverse, and more in the future. 

The panel held at Spring Studios included experts on the Metaverse, digital fashion design, fashion marketing, and Vogue Business Senior Innovation Editor Maghan McDowell. 

The panelists focused on the future of fashion in the metaverse and how designers and brands can continue to reach customers in an increasingly virtual world. One major theme the panelists covered was the virtual fashion show. While live streams and fashion films have been around for years, technical advances in the metaverse and the rapid digital adoption that occurred during Covid have given a new meaning to the term virtual fashion show. Now, audience members can participate in virtual runway shows as if they were really there, using personalized avatars and even gaining special access to backstage footage. While virtual fashion shows allow people to participate from anywhere including the comfort of their own homes, it doesn't necessarily mean that the shows will be any less exclusive. For luxury brands, virtual fashion shows offer another avenue to provide a personalized experience for VIP customers around the world. Virtual fashion also provides for endless creativity and the panelists agreed that virtual shows are a great way to find out what fashion can look like when it is not confined by the laws of physics. Some exciting design possibilities could be in our future and as Maghan McDowell pointed out, we could even get to wear virtual fashion items while on Zoom! 

The panelists also discussed the future of how physical clothing items will integrate with virtual worlds. According to panelist John Lynden, CEO of Mythical Games, video games and virtual worlds offer the perfect environment for luxury brands to test out virtual pieces of fashion to an existing customer base. Panelist Umindi Francis CBO at Infinite World agreed that studying use cases and the success of exclusive digital merchandise in video games is a great way for brands to dip their foot into the future of digital commerce. According to the panelists, a future where every luxury purchase comes with a digital twin in the metaverse could be closer than we think. There are numerous benefits to this idea and panelist Daria Shapovalova and CEO of a virtual fashion store DressX pointed out that it would make verifying luxury items in the resale market fast, easy, and accurate. Perhaps more so than ever before. 

Some brands like Dior, have already begun to test out the virtual world partnering with video games to offer exclusive products while other luxury brands have partnered with young creators to inform on strategy. According to the panelists, the new perspectives have been energizing for everyone involved. According to Umindi Francis just as social media has become a key marketing strategy for fashion brands, a Web 3 strategy will be key in the future and a successful Web 3 strategy must include collaboration. 

Whether the metaverse was always an inevitable part of fashion's future or our post-pandemic world has created this opportunity one thing is clear: virtual fashion is here to stay. 

NYFW Ones to Watch: Colin Locascio AW22 Presentation

 The Colin Locascio presentation on the final day of NYFW may have been a quiet event compared to some of the more well known shows of the season but it was not one to miss! I am labeling this designer as one to watch as the style and skill in this breakout collection definitely stood out. 

Colin Locascio who is a new designer on the scene made his NYFW debut with a brightly colored Autumn Winter collection full of whimsical designs and surprising details. The designer may be new to having his own label but he has spent several years in the industry working for some of the top brands such as Marc Jacobs and designing custom pieces for celebrities including Kendall and Kylie, Bella Hadid, and more. His design background and experience showed through in this season's collection which had notes of Marc Jacobs artistic refinement mixed with loud celebrity style. The collection was described as designed for the outer-borough girls and pays homage to the designer's roots in Queens. 

The collection notes stated, "For AW22, we looked to our favorite Bridge and Tunnel gals from TV -- Adriana from the Sopranos, Betty Suarez from Ugly Betty, and of course Fran from the Nanny to name a few. Each character has her own defined style, and we were interested in mixing the sexy, the quirky, and the absurd. For AW22, we also leaned into a grittier approach to our RTW, referencing the bridge and tunnel teens in the South London Club Scene in the late 80’s early 90's. Key items are our patch worked vegan leather trench and bustier dress, our 3-D crushed velvet floral puffer and micro mini set, our tinsel eyelash knitwear, and our brand signature printed mesh with 3 original prints this season." 

My favorite piece was the 3-d crushed velvet floral puffer and micro mini skirt set.

 This piece incorporated so many trends for the Fall season including bright and unexpected colors, and the elements of whimsical 3-D tech inspired fashion. The idea of bringing creations from the virtual world to life seemed to be a common theme and this was one of my favorite representations. The collection also spoke to the sentiment of recovering from the pandemic and keeping the fun energy going even in the colder months. Another one of my favorite pieces was the puffer that featured fun vibrant prints and from afar looked like a typical streetwear piece but up close had a delicately bejeweled drawstring.

Little elegant details like that were everywhere in this collection giving the clothes a very Hollywood effortless cool touch. No doubt inspired by his work with celebrities a Colin Locascio piece will make any wearer feel like an A-lister. I can't wait to see what's next for this exciting brand! 

10 Years of Eckhaus Latta: It Starts with Community

Designer duo Mike Eckhaus and Zoe Latta celebrated their brand's 10 year anniversary with a star-studded runway show at the Standard Hotel on Saturday night during New York Fashion Week. Coming off an emotional night celebrating the artistic evolution of Eckhaus Latta the pair spoke about their personal and professional journeys at New York Fashion Week: The Talks this evening during "10  Years of Eckhaus Latta" the panel. The unlikely pair from RISD started off by recounting their days as a budding team during their final year at art school. "We both had mutual friends and knew of each other but we didn't plan on meeting or being friends." they said. 

While Mike had studied Sculpture and Fine Arts, Zoe studied textiles but neither imagined they would be working in fashion only a short time later. After graduating, they both decided to move to New York City together where they hoped to pursue careers in fine arts as creators. They recounted that while living in the city they both got jobs working in fields related to their degree but quickly realized that pursuing a life as a fine arts creator would be incredibly lonely which eventually led them to exploring the close knit world of fashion. 

Zoe told the story of how they decided to start the brand one day after working for weeks to enter a fashion competition before the submission deadline. The two had worked day and night non-stop to create a collection for a fashion competition they had heard about last minute. Zoe remembered them running to the post office to mail the entry and being so tired they couldn't read the customs forms. After finally submitting their work they waited to hear back but never did. So instead, on a whim they decided to go ahead with the collection on their own. 

Mike recalled the early days of starting the brand saying, "There was a very steep learning curve. We made a lot of pieces that weren't functional garments." However, they both agreed that taking a non-traditional route into fashion design helped contribute to their success saying, "If we had taken a more traditional path I don't know if we would have lasted in a big designer house." According to the designers, being young and excited to learn and try new things helped contribute to their success. "The brand really started out as an exploration of how to make clothing" said Mike. 

While working on the brand they realized that it could serve as a platform to make art surrounded by people and in collaboration with friends and colleagues. They fell in love with the community of fashion and knew that this was where they wanted to be. Their love for the process of creating with others really showed through during this panel. It was so inspiring to hear about their journey and really spoke to the positive side of the fashion community. While fashion has often been portrayed as an exclusive club and there is certainly truth to that in some areas of the industry, this conversation showed what fashion can really be when creators combine skillsets to bring designs to life in the store and on the runway. The collaborative nature of the industry is a truly unique experience. 

After finding some success with their brand, the pair was eventually asked to create an exhibition for the Whitney museum which both designers described as a highlight of their career thus far. They said, "As art school nerds we loved the opportunity to work on this project." The theme of community came up again as the designers recalled that besides getting to work on a real-life art exhibit, this was a favorite project because "It was probably the most collaborative project we've ever done and we got to work with so many of our friends." The exhibition explored art and fashion and asked questions about where they intersect. Over the years the Eckhaus Latta brand has certainly shown that fashion can be a wearable art form so they were well equipped for the task. 

When asked what advice they would give to young creatives the theme of collaboration came up again. Zoe said, "Everybody needs help in one way or another in this industry. You have to be willing to ask for help and reciprocate." 

Mike also addressed collaboration saying, "You have to trust your intuition. Sometimes a project will just feel right and other times it may not. You have to be ok with taking risks and trust your instincts." 

Reflecting on the past can often lead us to wonder about the future. When it comes to looking towards the next 10 years and beyond the pair told the audience they are taking things day by day. Zoe said, "Yesterday was the 10 year anniversary, and now today it's back to work." 

Mike added that for him the future is about creating new challenges for himself as a creator and pushing himself. As for any concrete future plans, the pair left the audience with an insightful piece of wisdom saying, "We'd rather be a slow burn than a flash in the pan. For better or worse. Worse is that sometimes things are very slow But today we're here." 

NYFW Celebrates Black History Month with Black in Fashion Panel

Fashion month, which kicks off in February during black history month is a great time to showcase the diversity of talent in the industry. This year NYFW held a panel featuring black creators from all areas of the industry to celebrate the "Black in Fashion" community. NYFW also featured a special showcase of designers called BLK Showroom that honored black designers. 

The panel featured several successful fashion industry professionals from the black community including Moana Luu Global Chief Content officer of Essence Magazine, Aurora James designer and founder of the 15 percent pledge, and Rashad Robinson President of the Color of Change. 

The panelists discussed the progress that had been made in the industry and what challenges still lay ahead. It was an empowering discussion full of positive energy! In recent years there has been an increased focus from corporations and the fashion industry as a whole on diversity and inclusion work. The panelists pointed out that despite increased commitments and funding from many corporations it is still hard to measure the results of these investments. One important point they all agreed on was increased accountability for such programs and funding. The panelists agreed it is important for everyone to know where this money is going and also pointed out that DEI work cannot be treated differently within an organization. "DEI cannot be the only place in a company that fails year over year. with no consequences." said Rahsad Robinson. 

This issue is not exclusive to the fashion industry but nevertheless, it was great to hear what is needed from the voices within the community.

Moana Luu brought up another important point when it comes to corporate structure. She highlighted the importance of having diversity at all levels of a company and ensuring that diversity was not just targeting one group but representing everyone including women, and people from all ethnicities. She pointed out that black stories are often told from a narrow point of view and they do not include people who identify with multiple ethnicities. She also spoke about the power of social media and how it has opened opportunities for people to share their voices and be heard. It was so informative to hear from the perspective of a woman who has worked for a large publication throughout her career. She said, "Social media has become the real media...the power is ours today not the media's". The panelists echoed her thoughts pointing out many black creators who were at first rejected traditional roles within the industry but found success and an audience on social media. She also pointed out that when diverse mentors are promoted it benefits the whole company and gives younger workers someone to connect with and learn from. This point about creating more accessible networking for young professionals in the industry is so important. She ended the panel with an inspiring statement telling everyone, "Life is about opportunity you have to ask for what you want." 

Bicoastal Brands: The Art of Rodarte Comes to NYFW

This year NYFW opening day kicked off with a very special panel featuring Kate and Laura Mulleavy the sisters and founders of Rodarte and moderated by Euphoria star Maude Apatow. The pair came out from California to celebrate the opening of the special exhibit The Art of Rodarte celebrating 10 years of the brand and featuring some of the most artistic creations from their work over the years. The exhibit was open to the public all week with reservations and at the exclusive panel, the sisters shared their excitement of seeing the exhibit come to life for the first time on opening day. I was so excited to be covering this LA brand and to see them headlining at NYFW. They described the process of curating the exhibit saying, "This exhibition is interesting because we go to curate is ourselves. NYC is a second home for us and this time the exhibition was more about what we wanted to choose." 

The sisters shared the story of their first-ever NYFW where they were discovered by Bridget Foley of WWD.  While visiting a friend in New York City they sent designs to several major publications but never heard anything back. Then Bridget Foley took notice of the collection and ended up putting it on the cover of WWD the day before NYFW! After returning to LA they later got a call from Anna Wintour in the most LA place ever--while sitting in traffic on the 405! 

They also shared some of the inspirations for their design aesthetic and what goes into creating a Rodarte piece. They talked about their design process and how they like to stay very connected to the process by sketching everything on paper. They joked saying, "We are very old-fashioned there's not a lot of technology involved." As for inspiration, they told the audience, "We are very inspired by nature and art history." They shared that over the years they have learned it is important to listen to your gut as a designer. The sisters are very traditional when it comes to their fashion shows as well. They described the importance of having a fashion show for their collections saying, "In a runway show we can tell a story. Being at a sow especially if it's a theatrical performance, it can really take you somewhere. We have a desire to tell stories and create narratives." 

The sisters talked about some of the career-changing moments they had while building their brand including designing costumes for Black Swan. 

They described the experience saying, "Black Swan happened so early in our career. In film you're supporting a performance and it is a special powerful experience. Costume designers need to get credit and pay equity because it is a very important part of the story." Working in film was a special experience for the duo. They explained how it had influenced their careers growing up saying, "We didn't grow up seeing fashion. Film and costume design shaped how we saw fashion." 

They also told stories from one of their more recent projects where they were asked to create designs for the animated film...The white dress they designed for the main character took 1.5 years for the animators to finish! But they shared that it had been an incredible fun project and different from what they had done before. "We're dreamers." They concluded. 

The sisters ended the panel with inspiring remarks for aspiring fashion designers saying, "Fashion is so artistic. We encourage anyone that has love for it to pursue it. Spend the time and dedicate energy to the tings that inspire you." 

NYFW Ones to Watch: Bronx and Banco AW22 Show

Australian designer Natalie Banco brought her signature bejeweled designs to NYFW in her breakout show this season. The glamorous event was held at an iconic NYC location at the Bowery Hotel. The star-studded event attracted NYFW's most stylish crowd including fashion TikTok star Caroline Vazzanna, as well as celebs like Taylen Biggs, Patrick Starr, and more. 

The front row was filled with sparkling and colorful outfits that fit the theme of the show "One night in Paris". It was definitely a great place for spotting NYFW statement looks and several guests even wore pieces from the Bronx and Banco line. The event began with cocktails and guests enjoyed sipping on sparkling champagne and mingling before heading into the show. 

The show opened with bright and glittering statement looks that were made for a night out in Paris. 

The collection like many others at NYFW this season showed bright neon shades for winter. My favorite thing about this collection were the accessories by Marzook. The oversized bedazzled purses shaped like lipsticks and hearts as well as other fun shapes echoed the collection's playful and girly vibe. The dress One of my favorite looks was this brightly colored outfit with the oversized bow a daring twist on a  classic Parisian detail. This collection had something for everyone and showcased looks for those who wanted to make a bold statement with the season's trendy cutout style as well as looks for fun loving fashionistas. Some of the pieces definitely reminded me of the Emily in Paris style with a blend of French fashion mixed with street style trends. This refreshing collection dispensed with any attempts to put on false airs of sophistication and embraced the fun and youthful side of fashion. It was a welcome presentation from the seriousness of the past many have felt during the past several years of the pandemic. This collection is made for the girl who wants to embrace spontaneity and maybe even end up spending one night in Paris while still being taken just as seriously all while wearing a bit of sparkle. The upbeat show was a great way to kick off NYFW and I can't wait to see what fun and flirty designs this designer will come up with next. 

Fashionable Friday: MetroStyle New York

As New York Fashion week comes to a close I have rounded up the best Instagrams of the week to bring you the latest from New York fashion!

Naomi Campbell in Zac Posen!

70s vibe from Alice and Olivia!

Cool and colorful accessories!

Flowing and sparkling dresses from Reem Acra!

The Row by the Olsen twins makes a splash with a great backdrop!