NYFW Celebrates Latinx Heritage Month

This season UPS kicked off NYFW with an opening party at the Bodega Baque pop up shop in downtown. The party celebrated the collection which is a collaboration between UPS, famed streetwear designer Angelo Baque, and several small Latinx designers. As Latinx Heritage month kicks off later this week it was the perfect moment to highlight these talented designers and small businesses. The event was a huge success with fashionable attendees showing off their stylish streetwear looks as the party spilled out on to the sidewalk. The Bodega was decorated with pieces from the collaboration including hoodies, t-shirts, and hats. There were also appetizers and drinks! Baque attended the event and enthusiastically told me that New York is back! 

The following week NYFW The Talks featured a panel with Angelo Baque himself and several other latinx designers and business partners including Thermal Taveras, Carlos Cuerto Danny Buezo founder of Kids Of Immigrants, and Moderator: Karla Martínez de Salas. The panelists discussed how their culture has influenced their work and has inspired them to create some amazing projects and collaborations with the community. 

For Taveras culture informed his work as a designer through bringing in imagery inspired by the art he saw in church growing up and being a New Yorker as well. For Baque having immigrant parents from Ecuadaor and a strong connection to music has always informed his designs. He said that he often designs a collection imagining a soundtrack in the background. 

For Cuerto who works on the corporate side at UPS he talked about the work ethic his family and community instilled in him to always the the grind on. He also mentioned that growing up in a collectivist culture with  n emphasis on community ahs helped him to work well on a team and excel in a team environment which is so important for success in today's world no matter what industry you're in. 

Additionally the panelists mentioned that they have been able to take a fresh perspective on their own culture often growing up as children of first generation immigrants. Baque said, "I'm ok with being a trail blazer. Holding open doors for others like me to come behind me and hearing from other Ecuadorian kids that I inspired them is how I know I've done good." the panelists also talked about ensuring that the community comes first when they partner up on projects such as the UPS collab which will donate proceeds to a latinx scholarship fund here in NYC. 

Baque talked about dealing with obstacles when he entered the fashion industry from finances to discrimination and how he has overcome them. He now focuses on transparency and sharing the lessons learned so that others can ask for help and won't be afraid to reach out. 

For Cuerto being results oriented and making the most of opportunities has always helped him overcome obstacles he's faced in his career. 

For Danny Buezo putting the community over competition and overcoming shyness and gaining self confidence has helped him to succeed in business. 

The panelists also discussed the best ways to help new talent. They all agreed that it often starts at a personal level and helping evolve form a scarcity mindset and encouraging people to ask for help can make all the difference, According to Cuerto UPS has also worked to ensure that money invested is going to programs that are actually helpful and research is key in finding programs that will have the most effect. It was a great way to kick off a stylish Latinx Heritage month! 

Perspectives on Sustainability at NYFW

 

This NYFW brought together experts from many industries to discuss sustainability as well as several designers in the Black in Fashion showrooms this season whose focus is on sustainable and lasting design. The theme from this NYFW which coincided with the US Open in New York was all about bringing together cross functional perspectives into the fashion space and events like the Glam Slam which I covered here, as well as the sustainability in design panel at NYFW The Talks did just that according to Sean Nelson CEO and founder of LoveSac who said, "We’re here at fashion week discussing sustainability, furniture, fashion, and sports. What ties it all together? Good design" 

The panel featured Ghanian designer Abrima erwiah model and activist Olivia Ponton, interior design consultant Laura Hodges, and CEO of LoveSac Sean Nelson. 

Each one brought a unique perspective to the topic of sustainability but the overall sentiment of the panel was that everyone can participate in creating a more sustainable future whether in a big or small way and no action is too small to make a difference. 

Nelson founder and CEO of LoveSac the company that makes home furnishings that can be easily reconfigured started out by talking about the design philosophy at LoveSac which he calls "design for life" and believes offers a different path to sustainability. This philosophy has worked well for the company and is something that Sean believes can be applied to all different types of design. 

For Laura she also works with her clients to pick out products that she knows will last and stand the test of time. She spoke about how there have been increased trends in the design world that have mirrored what has happened in the fashion world with fast fashion companies. She often consults her clients to be wary of chasing after too many trends and rather to focus on things that will last 30-40 years or a lifetime. 

Abrima also echoed these ideas that sustainability is something that we weave into the fabric of our everyday lives rather than a far off concept. She said that when she started her label she had not set out to be a "sustainable brand" but was simply following the traditions of Ghana which are heavily focused on creating lasting goods with as little impact to the community as possible. For Abrima following the supply chain was also an important part of setting up her business as she wanted to know where every aspect of her products were coming from. She talked about how the process of understanding how things were made helped her to innovate around it and create more sustainable supply chains. This is also another huge area that is often overlooked in conversations about sustainability but process and supply are areas ripe for innovation. 

For Sean his focus has turned from creating new products to creating scale and offering modifications to existing products rather than forcing customers to purchase entirely new models. Sean has worked to make sure that technological additions to his products such as speaker systems are compatible with even older models of LoveSac products. This perspective can also be applied to other industries as well and offers a more sustainable alternative to mindless consumption. 

Olivia who was originally drawn into her work as a sustainability activist by the pollution of oceans and her love for the sea, also spoke about the importance of thoughtful purchases. She said that for her being able to wear an outfit more than once and being able to re use clothing items was a sign that the clothes were well made and it was a good purchase. She is also a fan of thrifting which can also be a way to make keeping up with fashion trends more sustainable. 

The topic of sustainability touches many industries and Abrima pointed out that it is important not to oversimplify it. She added that understanding why we buy or make something in the first place, along with how to properly dispose of it or not, is also key to creating better habits. When it comes to recycling or getting rid of products good intentions may not be enough and according to Abrima we often don't have to do as much as we think. For her the guiding principle is the connection to humanity and that there isn't a one size fits all answer. 

Laura also added that there is a misconception that sustainability always means compromising design and she has ran into this stereotype with clients in her work as a design consultant. Along the theme of doing less said that she often doesn't advertise the sustainable elements of the products she picks out for her clients but instead focuses on the good design. She added that everyone taking small imperfect actions is often better than a few people doing it perfectly. 

Sean also echoed the importance of good design as a path for sustainability. He said that making products that can be passed down to future generations as well as just making good products overall must be included in the conversation. 

The overall conclusion was that good design is sustainable which is a sentiment many companies in the fashion industry and beyond can benefit from. 

Some young designers are already leading the way. Several of the labels that came to showcase at the Black in Fashion showrooms during Spring Studios this season emphasized good design and lasting products. 

I spoke to the The designer for Madame Adassa a Los Angeles based clothing brand that specializes in luxury women's wear. She spoke to me about her latest collection inspired by an Amazon Queen and said that she always tries to make designs that her customers will keep in their closet for a long time. She stays away from the trends and focuses on classic pieces that her customers can wear for years to come. 

Another designer Kwame Adusei who is originally from Ghana but is now also based in Los Angeles took me through his latest collection and design philosophy which is heavily influenced by traditional Ghana clothing styles. He places an emphasis on practicality and utility in his designs which also make them easy to wear again and again. 

For Isha Dusnton creative director of Izayla, sustainable design ties in with creating pieces made for women on the go. She uses a special material that is made to travel, fold, and last for long wear without wrinkling. When she spoke to me about her latest collection she explained that she was designing for style and color post pandemic but wanted to keep the elements of comfort and practicality that had dominated covid fashion. She said that she is designing for women who are not going backwards to the uncomfortable norms before covid but rather taking the lessons learned and creating a new better way of dressing and living that takes women's comfort and movement into consideration. 

All of this inspiring innovation definitely gives the fashion world something to think about as the conversation around sustainability continues to grow in importance for consumers. 

NYFW Ones to Watch: Frederick Anderson

Designer Frederick Anderson presented his SS23 runway collection at Moonlight studios during NYFW. The "garden party" collection which was inspired by a poem from Maya Angelou was a fun and sophisticated take on the trends we've been seeing on the runway this season. Whimsical floral designs, expert drapery, relaxed and breathable suits, and oversized accessories all came together to create the colorful and elegant collection. The show attracted several influencers, philanthropists, and celebrities and the star-studded front row brought together influencers from all industries keeping with the theme of this NYFW which has brought together traditional fashion outsiders. 

The show was definitely a success and the designer came out to celebrate with everyone after the event. The designer has recently garnered a lot of attention as a designer that isn't afraid to play with color, sequins and more even during the pandemic. The designer has also received a lot of buzz from the fashion industry recently and is set to host the annual FGI Night of Stars Awards next month. 

Some of my favorite pieces included a candy pink ruffle two-piece set, brightly colored dresses with 3d floral appliques, and more. The collection did remind one of a garden party as we look towards spring with trends for bright colors and whimsical design elements continuing. However, there was definitely a modern edge to the collection that appealed to the 2023 consumer. 

I can't wait to see more from this designer! 

Cynthia Rowley Debuts Her Athleisure Capsule Collection at NYFW Glam Slam

NYFW Glam Slam events kicked off on Friday with appearances from fashion and tennis' most glamorous names. Cynthia Rowley, Claudia Lebenthal, and Alexandra Stevenson gave a sunset panel on the Spring Studios rooftop where guests enjoyed bites, rose, cocktails, and got to shop an exclusive preview of the new Cynthia Rowley sports capsule collection. The designer who is set to present her SS23 collection on Tuesday talked about creating the capsule collection, designing for sportswear and more. 

The designer is also a fan of tennis herself as well as an avid surfer and she talked about how she often tests her own designs. She said that she feels all sports are influencing what's happening in fashion right now. Of course you can't talk about fashion and tennis without mentioning Serena Williams. The panelists agreed that Serena has pushed the envelope with catsuits, and  Rowley added that she loved the catsuits because they were right up her alley. Rowley added that it's not just tennis where you can wear what you want and express yourself more For Rowley fashion is another way for people to express themselves even in sports and that is what has inspired her when designing this latest collection. 

Alexandra Stevenson talked about getting into fashion as an athlete recalling that when she was a junior she fell in love with a Cynthia Rowley design that Julia Roberts wore and has loved fashion ever since. Stevenson has also noticed several new trends in the tennis world when it comes to fashion including the return of crop tops, shot skirts, ice skating style dresses, and more defined silhouettes. 

She said, "for me tennis style has always been fun and girly" 

Rowley spoke about the trends she's noticed as a designer saying, "I think fashion and function are an important part of design but if I think in fitness overall I think we will see more colors." 

As one of the pioneers of Surf leisure clothing and athleisure clothing she certainly has the experience to pick out the upcoming trends. She went on to describe her process for designing athletic wear saying that often sports brands think they want an athlete to design and that for her its way easier to learn about the functionality that is needed for a certain design than to teach someone who's an expert in the sport the basic principles of good design. For Rowley it starts with good design and she works to incorporate functionality by researching what is needed for each project. She said there are certain fabrics that should stay in sportswear and not cross over but she has definitely had to learn through experimenting which ones those are. She recalled trying to create some dresses out of neoprene once saying, "I thought they would look snatched but it's a functional fabric so I had sweat dripping down my back and it was an important lesson to understand why things are used in certain ways." 

Alexandra described wearing some of Rowley's designs saying, "It feels like I'm in athletic clothes but they look like gorgeous Cynthia Rowley clothes!" Other customers love wearing her pieces as well because the designer is so diligent about testing them out and even tries them on herself! 

Rowley said of her hopes for future projects, "I love sports and a good challenge. I would like to dress a guy. I think you shouldn't have to give up who you are because of your profession." 

She described how she felt about her latest capsule collection which was available at the pop up shop at Glam Slam saying, "We did just launch an all sport collection which ahs tennis dresses and shorts. It's a capsule collection that's meant to be cute for playing golf or just going to the grocery store. I think people are looking for things to do outside more and more and they want to look cute." She also talked with me more about the collection saying, "It’s just a little capsule, and it is all sport. So it’s meant to be worn for tennis, golf, pickle ball, kind of whatever you want, and then you look super cute on the street too. It’s just really for everything. Yoga, you know, all sports"

When asked if she had been watching the US Open Rowley said, "The energy the past 4 days was out of this world." 

Finally Rowley spoke about her upcoming fashion week show on Tuesday which will feature her SS23 ready to wear collection. She said, "I'm a little stressed right now." 

I spoke to the designer about her upcoming show and what it feels like to be back to in person shows after doing virtual events for so long. She said, "(NYFW) is fully back, I know. I mean, I always love a fashion show and always hate a fashion show. It’s so stressful, like I have couriers flying on an airplane to bring samples to us tomorrow, and like, it’s always, no matter how far ahead you plan, no matter what you do, you know, things happen and it’s like, you’ve got to deal with it and hope for the best. I mean right now I’m dealing with, you know, a lot of just organizing a lot of stuff, but also dealing with mother nature. So let’s all just cross our fingers, say a little something, whatever you say for good weather. Yeah, it’s looking a little intense, but I think it’ll be okay."