February Fashion Week |NYC

The conversation around New York Fashion Week has honed in on addressing the topics of diversity and representation, resulting in a season having some moments worth mentioning. For starters, a transgender woman of color, Pierre Davis, held a debut show for her brand No Sesso. Davis made history this fashion week as the first trans designer to ever show at NYFW.

But, depending on whom you ask, fashion week has turned into an outdated trade show for an industry that has evolved beyond its roots. Sadly, with influencer egoism and over-commercialized beauty on the rise, we've entered a generation where nobody is authentic or has an original idea.

Fashion has become increasingly common amongst the masses. From celebrities to fashion vultures who sell “collections” through print-and-go apparel businesses. The industry needs to reclaim its exclusivity before another new fast fashion juggernaut devastates the fashion economy.

For me, bottom(trickle)-up streetwear designers, art-fashion designers, slow fashion designers, responsible designers, and the sustainable fashion community are where I find my refuge. It's a safe haven for us who believe the fashion industry can change.

February Fashion Week |NYC

From relaxed suiting to patchwork, another fashion week has come and gone. Long ago, fashion week made sense to me; because it offered photographers, editors, marketers, and buyers a chance to preview collections and trends trickling down to stores in six months. Consequently, allowing magazines plan-time for campaigns and stores to make purchase orders far in advance.

But this season was somewhat silent, with a few standout moments to highlight. 

Tie-dye made a big splash last season, with no signs of slowing down this season. Designers like Prabal Gurung leaned into bright sportswear. Quilted outerwear and two-piece separates also made a continued appearance this season.