Cucculelli Shaheen presents an ode to New York’s rich history at NYFW.
Christian Cowan’s SS24 collection puts sustainability at the forefront of fashion
India-based clothing brand KGL showcases its new spring/summer 2024 collection, challenging the line between the tangible and intangible.
In the dazzling realm of fashion, where trends often come and go like fleeting stars, one designer stands as a beacon of enduring elegance. Detroit-born and renowned fashion virtuoso Kevan Hall did just that with his Spring Summer 2024 Collection, aptly named “Cote d’Azur.” A show that transported us to a bygone era of refinement and sophistication.
“Excellence” is the first word that comes to my mind when describing this collection. On September 12, 2023, in the heart of New York, Kevan Hall took us on a mesmerizing journey through time, paying homage to the enchanting fashion era of 1930s Deauville, France.
Deauville is a seaside haven that once served as the canvas for leading designers to showcase their creations along the promenade. It was when fashion was elevated to an art form, where models strolled leisurely in the epitome of style. And it wasn’t just about the clothes; high jewelry adorned wealthy socialites with an effortless casualness that added to the allure.
But Kevan Hall’s vision extends beyond Deauville; it reaches 1,335 kilometers southeast to the iconic Cannes, synonymous with red carpets and European glamour. The rich legacies of Deauville and the Cannes Film Festival have melded together to shape Hall’s signature aesthetic, evident in every detail of his Spring 2024 Collection.
“Our journey begins with a look to a refined and elegant time in Deauville,” Hall explains. “Deauville and Cannes’ rich legacy created by artists, designers, and the film industry is the inspiration for the Cote d’Azur collection.”
All the shoes featured in the show were from Nina Shoes, adding a final flourish of style and sophistication to the collection.
But the allure of this season’s collection doesn’t end there. Kevan Hall’s collaborative partnership with Chatham, a luxury brand renowned for laboratory-grown gemstones and diamond jewelry, adds an extra layer of fascination. Chatham’s innovative approach to replicating natural gem-growing conditions has resulted in a classic and contemporary collection.
In a world where fashion trends can be as ephemeral as the morning mist, Kevan Hall’s Cote d’Azur reminds us of the enduring allure of classic elegance. It’s a journey back in time that leaves us yearning for more—an unforgettable masterpiece in the tapestry of fashion.
The beauty world buzzed with excitement as Beautycon™ made its triumphant return to its hometown of Los Angeles on September 16th, 2023. This two-day extravaganza, presented by Walmart®, brought together beauty rebels, creators, and enthusiasts from all corners of the world to celebrate individuality, challenge beauty norms, and redefine beauty.
Caroline Wanga, President & CEO of Essence Ventures, perfectly summed up the event’s mission: “The reactivation of Beautycon™ will aim to democratize beauty standards by returning the definition into the hands of individuals and holding brands accountable to following suit.” Her words set the tone for an extraordinary gathering that inspires and empowers attendees.
Day 1 kicked off with a bang, featuring a star-studded lineup of talent, including the incredible Marsai Martin, Alabama Barker, Sabrina Elba and more. The day was filled with thought-provoking panels, fireside chats, and meet-and-greets that delved into the heart of the beauty industry’s transformation.
A Creator’s Lane panel featuring Monica Ravichandran, Alabama Barker, and Laylo Qasim, discussing the journey to building a beauty brand. Tia Mowry graced the stage for a fireside chat, where she shared insights into her brand, 4U by Tia.
The day was not just about industry giants; emerging innovators also had their time to shine. Brands like Shea Moisture, Palmer’s, S’ABLES LABS, and Ehoney Skincare showcased their unique voices and products, ensuring every attendee left with a few goodies from their line.
But the fun didn’t stop there! Attendees also had the opportunity to immerse themselves in the Walmart® Makers Studio. In this beauty playground, they could elevate their look, pose for Instagram-worthy photos thanks to the fabulous David Suh, and explore new trends and products from multicultural beauty brands.
As the day drew to a close, it was impossible not to feel inspired by the diverse perspectives at Beautycon™ LA 2023. The event had successfully created a space where beauty was about connection, self-expression, and disrupting the status quo.
For those who missed Day 1, don’t worry! Day 2 promises even more excitement, with a lineup of panels, discussions, and experiences that will continue to redefine beauty standards. As Sophia Dennis (Head of Programming) emphasized, Beautycon™ is about “creating opportunities and a space that ultimately highlights the content creators, entrepreneurs, and artists making the beauty industry what it is today and what it will be tomorrow.”
So, grab your tickets for Day 2 of Beautycon™ LA 2023 and participate in this transformative beauty revolution. See you there!
Check out our Instagram reel of Day 1 here!
And our interview with the beautiful Emira D’Spain here!
The Parsons MFA fashion show, “We Dem Kids,” celebrated art and time in almost all its forms at the historical Brooklyn Museum during NYFW on Sept. 11.
Before deep diving into an exploration of three chapters: “Heritage,” “2113,” and “Generational,” Sean Slaughter set the show off with a spoken word poem that set the tone for the journey ahead.
Designers Anna Roth, Chang Liu, Fabiola Soavelo, Hsiao-Han Kuo, Mel Corchando, Nan Jiang, Natsumi Aoki, Lorena Pipenco, Ren Haixi, Story, Siri, Sunny Ning, Yamil Arbaje, Ying Kong and Yu Gong got to show off their skills during “Heritage” portion of the show which featured pieces that required the designers to use various crafts, techniques, and traditions for completion.
From appreciating the past, straight to the future; 2113 showcased each designers visions for the year. A chapter dedicated to being experimental, the pieces spanned from whimsical to structured and 3D until the transition to “Generational” where the garments seemed to band together. 
Throughly depicting interconnectivity through the mixture of different trends, shapes and textures; the “Generational” chapter was the cherry on top of such a refreshing show where very little was conventional.
On September 10, 2023, The Nolcha Shows celebrated 15 years of experiential programming by unveiling a groundbreaking take on New York Fashion Week (NYFW). Taking place at the iconic Mercedes-Benz Manhattan, the event showcased the intersection of fashion and technology as a multi-faceted fashion tech experience.
The evening’s runway show featured remarkable designers:
- Fite Fashion: Spring Summer 2024 Collection.
Fite Fashion
- Oh Polly: Spring Summer 2024 Collection.
Oh Polly
- Francesca Cottone: Spring Summer 2024 Collection.
Francesca Cottone
The runway was a celebration of fashion’s diversity and dynamism. Fite Fashion, Oh Polly, and Francesca Cottone each brought their distinct perspectives and design philosophies to the forefront, demonstrating that fashion is a boundless canvas for creativity.
Mercedes-Benz displayed its all-new, all-electric vehicle portfolio, demonstrating the seamless integration of beloved design and intuitive technology into the automotive world.
Beyond the traditional runway shows and beautiful vehicles, the event spotlighted the imminent Web3 transformation poised to revolutionize the retail and e-commerce industries.
Attendees engaged with cutting-edge tech activations such as:
ARkivist: A web-based AR creative agency collaborated with MONTSERRAT New York and COCOREDOUX to present a range of WebAR experiences that engaged customers through immersive storytelling, all accessible via mobile web browsers.
LAVO: This next-gen community hub for creators introduced its invite-link-in-bio feature, simplifying the aggregation of social content and products for creators and brands.
NUMB3R xA: The digital art collective displayed on-chain AI-designed physical jewelry created by Nebulous, pioneering blockchain-verifiable luxury goods at the intersection of art, fashion, and luxury in the digital age.
ISG Metaverse and Convai: Their collaboration brought interactive and narrative-driven AI characters to life within immersive 3D environments, offering a glimpse into the future of e-commerce.
360Fashion Network: An AR 360Fashion Maze Game featuring runway brands and AR throughout the venue provided a gamified fashion experience.
New York Culture Club: An eight-piece collection embedded with microchips offered an immersive AR experience, allowing for self-expression and storytelling with a simple tap of a phone.
The DeMode Showcase: This alliance between Modernist and MetaBurnett explored the connection between digital and physical art pieces.
Leia: The showcase featured Lume Pad 2, the world’s first 3D•AI tablet equipped with embedded technology for fully immersive 3D calling without needing any eyewear.
The Nolcha Shows Spring 2024 NYFW event was a testament to the power of innovation, where fashion and technology converged to create a dynamic and immersive experience. I witnessed cutting-edge looks on the runway and experienced cutting-edge technology. It felt like a high-fashion arcade. This event has excited me about the future of technology and fashion fusion.
As The Nolcha Shows continue to evolve and connect communities, they solidify their role as a leading platform for discovering cutting-edge brands and shaping the future of fashion and tech-driven Web3.
“Today, we move baby. You better be moving,” Grammy-award-winning producer Emilio Estefan gushed ahead of his NYFW show, Latin Ignition: The Magic of Art.
BFA / Nina Fernandez
The fashion show, created in collaboration with Consuelo Vanderbilt of SohoMuse, focused on bringing Latino fashion and culture to the forefront, especially given the fact that Latin Americans make up 18% of the United States population and essentially a large chunk of the creative market.
For Vanderbilt, she was elated to combine her powerful networking platform with the legendary Estefan, who excels at seeking rising talent, to shed light on a culture that hasn’t “been given enough attention and focus.”
BFA / Nina Fernandez
“In a world of creativity, we need to give more job opportunities, and if we can help to do that and highlight that, what an amazing gift is that,” said Vanderbilt.
Held at the Guggenheim Museum, Latin Ignition: The Magic of Art featured designs from Alvin Valley, Laura Garcia, Nabies Vielman, and César Galindo. Not to mention the most adorable cameo from some puppies in the finale; seriously, that will get the stiffest of crowds riled up.
BFA / Nina Fernandez
Latin Ignition featured juxtaposing ideas from bold patterns and colors to more timeless silhouettes and pastels reminiscent of Easter; it seems there will be something for every aesthetic this Spring.
Not only did the designers get to showcase their work in an immersive show, but Estefan and Vanderbilt made it their mission that every single worker, including hair, makeup, models, stagehands, etc., were adequately compensated.
BFA / Nina Fernandez
When asked about the significance of this priority, Estefan relayed the idea to his work. He wants the public to understand that his engineers work as hard as his musicians; we just don’t see them in the spotlight. In this case, the hairstylists and makeup artists are the ones that “make the women beautiful,” Estefan stated.
Looking toward the future, collaborators aim to continue the push to bring Latino culture to the mainstream masses.
The Ned NoMad, the members club and hotel in the heart of NYC’s NoMad district, led by global hospitality leader Richie Akiva has continued to dominate New York Fashion Week. From the Christian Siriano NYFW party to Gucci‘s private bash in Little Ned, Flaunt‘s annual fete, and many more, a sea of fashion notables and celebrities have been a nonstop rotation at The Ned.
Flaunt hosted their annual Fashion Week bash at The Ned Nomad on Sunday, September 10th, celebrating their Eternal Flame issue hosted y Richie Akiva and YG with MIMCHIK. Diplo performed a surprise DJ set and there was a live performance for a packed members club of guests by YG. DJ sets in the atrium included Hank K, Vvarhala, Annicka and Siobhan Bell. The room was filled with celebrity notables, music artists and current IT girls, such as Doja Cat, Ice Spice, Quavo, Alton Mason, Emma Roberts, Meek Mill, Jordan Clarkson, Chantel Jeffries, Badius, Kendra Bailey, Jordan Barrett, Yovanna Ventura, and many more industry notables. The party buzzed on until 4am.
On September 8th, Christian Siriano hosted his official fashion show after party at Akiva’s The Ned, kicking off at 9pm until 1am in the Members Lounge and Library. DJ music by Siriano‘s pal Ty Sunderland kept the crowd going, with surprise performances throughout the evening. All eyes were on icon Janet Jackson who hung in a VIP section with Siriano and other guests, as the crowd snacked on popcorn treats from Candy Pop, Cereal Pop and Cookie Pop, with flavors such as Twix and Fruity Pebbles. Other notables included Alicia Silverstone and Sarah Hyland, Coco Rocha who closed the runway show earlier in the day as “Siriano’s muse” plus Laverne Cox, Padma Lakshmi, Adrian Grenier, Audrina Patridge, Marta Pozzan and Katie Cassidy, among many others. Guests at the energized bash sipped on espresso martinis featuring Kahlua and Absolut, Sainte Marguerite rose wine, and Bombay Sapphire.
Late night on Friday, September 8th, Akiva and Offset hosted a one night only late night FW pop up at Hearsay, a new Meatpacking nightspot. The party which kicked off at 1am following the Siriano celebration, also included co-hosts Bloody Osiris, Bloody Dior, Evan Mock, Imaan Hammam, Model of the year Grace Elizabeth, Alessandro Brisochi, Richie Romero, and Badius. DJ sets included Chase B, Austin Mills, Zack Bia, Mel Debarge, with fashion attendees like Kaia Gerber, Winnie Harlow, Jared Leto, Teyana Taylor, A$AP Ferg, Edward Enninful, Jordyn Woods, Kyle Kuzma, Karreuche, Stella Maxwell, Joan Smalls, Cara Delevingne, Audrina Patridge, Coi Leray, Peggy Gou, Kevin Durant, plus many, many more. The entire street was taken over by guests trying to get a spot in the uber exclusive nightlife party, with VIPs filtering in from all the other fashion week event’s earlier that night.
On September 8th, exactly 1 year after Route launched their Carbon product and commitment towards sustainability, they hosted a fashion event at The Ned NoMad rooftop, for industry luminaries to celebrate their sustainable impact, including Carbon brand partners. Route Founder and Exec Chair, Evan Walker, with actor and activist Adrian Grenier, hosted the event around Route’s Carbon Project and the future of sustainability in fashion. Attendees included Rebecca Minkoff, Carly Weinstein, Katie Cassidy, Bran Flakes, Lisa DiCicco, Hawaii McLaughlin, Luanna Perez, Maeta, Marta Pozzan, and more.
The following day on September 9th, Forbidden Well hosted a daytime relaxation and recovery lounge at The Ned NoMad as a relief for fashionistas amongst the evening chaos. Top modeling agencies joined Forbidden Well for some much needed relaxation, including IV Therapy, Vitamin Shots, NAD+, limited Botox, massages, energetic alchemy healing, trauma-focused chiropractic care, and gentle facials treatments at The Ned NoMad. Models and Wellness Influencers such as Kinsey Wolanski, Ambra Gutierrez, Kylie Vonnahme, Enly Tammela, Cata Freer all stopped by to indulge in the services.
Richie Akiva and Diplo during Flaunt at The Ned
Doja Cat at The Ned x Flaunt
YG performing at The Ned during Flaunt
Diplo, Hank Korsan, YG at Flaunt at The Ned
Sarah Hyland at The Ned NoMad
Siriano and Alicia Silverstone at The Ned
Christian Siriano with Cookie Pop and Cereal Pop
Coco Rocha Celebrating Siriano at The Ned
Sainte Marguerite at The Ned Siriano Party
Siriano Afterparty at The Ned
Candy Pop snacks during Siriano
Ty Sunderland spins at The Ned during Siriano
Adrian Grenier and Christian Siriano
Bonnie McKee at Flaunt's party
Yovanna Ventura at Flaunt
Denim Braxton at The Ned x Flaunt
Offset and Kevin Durant at Hearsay
Chase B at Hearsay
A few of the best and brightest in hip-hop and fashion rolled out to Flipper’s Roller Boogie Palace earlier this Fashion Week to celebrate the ultimate collaboration: Flipper’s x Adidas Superstar!