Cucculelli Shaheen presents an ode to New York’s rich history at NYFW.
New York is a city that keeps on giving, with rich history and stunning architecture to boot. One often overlooked individual is Audrey Marie Munson, also known as the “American Venus”. Considered to be America’s first supermodel, Cucculelli Shaheen’s Collection Sixteen is an ode to the Beaux-Arts era she lived in, which deeply influenced NYC artists and architects in the early 20th century. The show took place at the Manhattan Municipal Building, which is topped with a gilded statue that Munson posed for.
Cucculelli Shaheen combines lush embroidery with subversive edge, and continually draws inspiration from classical art, music, mythology, and New York City itself. As a result, Collection Sixteen is a study of decadence, blooms, angels, and beaux-arts beauty juxtaposed with the disobedience of New York.
Below the arches of the Manhattan Municipal Building, cobblestone streets are filled with the flowy tulles and dresses. The collection opened with bright red looks, easing into the softer pinks and oranges that can be spotted against the dusky glow of the New York skyline. The intentional timing of starting the show at dusk allows the soft golden hour light to diffuse through the tulles and organzas of the dresses.
Rounding out the show this season included once again the appearance on the runway by winner of Season 12 of RuPaul’s Drag Race, Jaida Essence Hall, along with models like Nariah Noelle, Anisha Sandhu, Emma Gu, Anyon Asola, Mijo Mihaljchic.
Checkout more of Collection Sixteen on the Cucculelli Shaheen website.
