Post-NYFW show, Luar’s loyal and excited fans lined up down the block, in the rain (most even without umbrellas!), while waiting patiently to enter the afterparty, and celebrate the brand of the hour-Luar.
Kourtney Kardashian sure did bring her rock n’ roll flare, both clothing and music-wise, for her Boohoo, New York Fashion Week Show!
Emerge Designer Collective I Fashion Designers:
Premya by Manishii, Atelier, Home Of Arti, Garcia Del Castillo, NH Alrabiah, Nahal Shad, Carson Fashion and Laura Lanzerotte.
My favorite designers from the first collective are Premya by Manishii and Garcia Del Castillo! Premya by Manishii had precise stiching of white, black and silver sequins that created movement, patterns and eye-catching sparkle when the light hits. The focus on detail, and exhibiting surprising fashionable risks, was in point. For instance, on what looked like a go-to black women’s tuxedo, turned into an open back, with swinging black horizontal sequins connecting the top. Another example is what looked like a sequined cocktail dress from below, was paired together with a shiny and formal crop top. Garcia Del Castillo’s show is for bold women who aren’t afraid to have eyes on them in a room! The colorful and neutral dresses with high thigh slits, were all paired with thigh high animal skin boots – bringing the outfit from fashionable to making a statement!
Emerge Designer Collective II Fashion Designers:
Casey Quinn, Vivienne Maestrado, Jasmine Schulte, Shay Anccomsey, Teonna Thornton, and Noelle Small.
My favorite designers from the second collective were Jasmine Schulte and Noelle Small! Jasmine Schulte was my absolute favorite designer from both runways, because the clothes were not just clothes, but rather art! The pieces were delicately crocheted with different colored yarn that created dream-like wood creatures with, long tails and sleeves. Being someone who is always drawn to haute couture, bright colors, textures and artistic concepts, I immediately fell in love with what felt like pieces that belonged in a museum! And I was curious to know how long it took the talented designer to create each look. The young designer is ready to go for the Met Gala, should they ever have a “forest nymph/creature/fairy” theme, and sign me up as the first client! Fashion Designer Noelle Small is also for clients who want “go big or go home!” The dresses will make you the “Belle of the Ball,” quite literally, with it’s exquisite Cinderella/ Disney fairy-tale large sleeves, shoulders, and puffy dresses that make a beyond magical moment out of any night in the week, guaranteed!
Ballet. Nina Simone. Bunny art. Catwalk. Miss New York. Moscow mules.
All of that was on display at New York Fashion Week’s Six Summit Gallery fashion art performance in the Port Authority bus terminal on Thursday, Sept 8.
Attendees could walk around and peruse the artwork — from sculptures to contemporary canvas paintings to photography. Complimentary “cocktails to go” from Merican Mules could be picked up at the bar. The flavors: Moscow Mule, Mexican Mule, Southern Mule and Tropical Mule.
After viewing the gallery and grabbing any one of the gingery drinks, everyone was called to sit down and enjoy the show.
An opera singer kicked things off, crooning around the cozy room. Then a ballerina pranced about. And Miss New York Taryn Smith belted her rendition of Nina Simone’s “Feeling Good.” Interspersed between all the performances were catwalks. Models showed off luxury handbags, high end dresses and chic street wear.
The event was part of the Six Summit Gallery, which hosted several other exhibits in the Port Authority bus terminal. Other exhibits included portraits of famous musicians, an artistic homage to New York City and more.
New York Fashion Week kicked off Sept 9 and ends Sept. 14 with buzzy appearances by the likes of Anna Wintour, Serena Williams and Lil Nas X.
It truly takes a village to make the magic happen onstage at an NYFW show, and backstage at Fe Noel, the village starts with celebrity hairstylist Lacy Redway. Tasked with creating a “wet style” for Fe Noel’s show, the stylist was working overtime on Friday to execute this stunning look. “I envisioned this style complementing the femininity and fluidity of Fe Noel’s collection.” Lacy said. “The hair appears wet, emulating a drenched, watery, wavy texture, which will be brought to life in a variety of ways throughout the show.
NEW YORK, NEW YORK – SEPTEMBER 09: A model poses backstage during TRESemme X Fe Noel at 160 Varick Street on September 09, 2022 in New York City. (Photo by Astrid Stawiarz/Getty Images for TRESemme)
Fe Noel’s designer described this collection as representative of “a woman who occupies her space as she moves through the world.” She described the Fe Noel woman’s journey as “one of continuous growth and constant evolution, all while foreseeing abundance and joy on the horizon.”
NEW YORK, NEW YORK – SEPTEMBER 09: A model poses backstage during TRESemme X Fe Noel at 160 Varick Street on September 09, 2022 in New York City. (Photo by Astrid Stawiarz/Getty Images for TRESemme)
The steps for creating Lacy’s iconic hairstyle, pictured below, are far from simple. The design features intricately styled sticky bangs across the models forehead, and a stunning braid going down the back of the hair. Lacy uses TRESemmé TRES TWO Mega Control Hair Gel, TRESemmé Freeze Hold Hair Spray, and TRESemmé Keratin Smooth Shine Serum to achieve the perfect wet look. Her steps are as follows:
NEW YORK, NEW YORK – SEPTEMBER 09: A model prepares backstage during TRESemme X Fe Noel at 160 Varick Street on September 09, 2022 in New York City. (Photo by Astrid Stawiarz/Getty Images for TRESemme)
- Step 1: Begin by sectioning hair into small pieces and applying TRESemmé TRES TWO Mega Control Hair Gel throughout. Use a brush to distribute the gel throughout the hair, keeping it close to the head.
- Step 2: Create a deep side part with the front pieces, dispersing them across the forehead to create those rolling waves. Brush the rest of the hair behind the ears and straight down before wrapping in a hair net and blowing dry using a sock diffuser to avoid frizz.
- Step 3: Once hair is dry, spray TRESemmé Freeze Hold Hair Spray all over to lock the style in place add TRESemmé Keratin Smooth Shine Serum from roots to ends to impart shine and reflectivity, bringing that water element to life.
- Step 4: Working from the left side of the head to the right, weave a wavy braid across the back of the hair, locking the style in with a final mist of TRESemmé Freeze Hold Hair Spray.
The Knockturnal: Please tell us a little about yourself.
Sam Paige: “I am a content creator who blew up on TikTok during the COVID-19 quarantine. I have 3 million followers, I am 27 years old, and grew up in Connecticut but currently reside in South Florida.”
The Knockturnal: If your life was a theme song what would it be and why?
Sam Paige: “Juice” by Lizzo would be my theme song. “I resonate with so many aspects of Juice. Lizzo sings, “If I’m shining, everybody gonna shine.” If I am shining I want all my friends and family to shine. Also, on the internet, I want everyone to feel like they are so beautiful and the best version of themselves… literally shining. A Lizzo “Juice” line states, “I was born like this, don’t even gotta try.” I was born like this, I was born thick and fat. It is what it is and I am rockin’ with it. Another line I resonate with is, “I’m like Chardonnay, get better over time.” I, like many others, was not one of those girls that peeked in High School. I am out here growing and becoming my better self each and every day. Lizzo: “Heard you say I’m not the baddest bitch, you lie.” I have faced hate comments online and IRL. Despite the negativity, I don’t care what you say, I am the baddest bitch.”
The Knockturnal: Tell us about your TikTok journey. What made you want to start a TikTok?
Sam Paige: “I got into TikTok, like most of us, during quarantine. My friend wanted to learn a dance and realized how great of a dancer and how quickly I could catch on to the moves. After this, I rediscovered my love for dance after not being in the studio for about 6 years. It started with dancing in bikinis (what I continue to do) and sharing my love for body positivity. I genuinely didn’t think anyone would care to see a plus-sized girl dancing in swimwear but is happy the internet proved her differently because it is now my career.” 
The Knockturnal: Tell us more about Dance.
Sam Paige: “I started dancing when I was five, I told my mom that I wanted to be on Broadway. She believed in me and my dream and placed me in dance, choir, and theater. I really love dancing, I stuck with it for 15 years! I even danced for one year on my college’s pom team. Honestly, the experience was shitty… I couldn’t jump as high due to me being a big girl and was told to sit out of dances multiple times because of that… But now the jokes are on them because I am the only one dancing for a living. I think dance is a great way to express myself and I find these TikTok dances extremely fun and enjoyable to learn.”
Fun fact: Sam learns TikTok dances in about 10-15 minutes depending on the difficulty and only needs to do them 3-4 times to get the perfect one.
The Knockturnal: Has TikTok led you into any other creative passions?
Sam Paige: “Since joining TikTok I have discovered a love for modeling. I feel when people model via Instagram they are always considered “Instagram models.” All because of TikTok and my followers I have been able to walk in the past two Miami Swim Weeks. Last year (2021) I walked for boohoo – this is when I really discovered my passion for modeling in a more serious light. The boohoo show was at the Versace Mansion in Miami which was a magical experience.. After, I made my way to NYC for New York Fashion Week (2021) where I walked for two different clothing designers. Just recently I walked in Miami’s 2022 Swim Week, where I walked in three different shows and represented four different designers. I have also done some modeling gigs for e-commerce brands in South Florida. I really enjoys the modeling experience and being a part of the evolution in body positivity within the modeling community.”
Email Sam to inquire about her modeling services.
The Knockturnal: What are some struggles you face as a plus-sized content creator?
Sam Paige: “Some struggles that are faced are; people are really shocked that a fat girl could have a following. I see this struggle when collaborating with different brands. I feel that many brands and businesses are shocked and are in disbelief that a curvy girl can help represent them. I also have noticed that the bots on social media are always flagging my posts for nudity or inappropriate content because I have physically more skin on my body, even though I am showing the same or even less skin than others on the same social channels.”
The Knockturnal: What does diversity and inclusion in the modeling and content-creating world mean to you?
Sam Paige: “Diversity and inclusion mean the world to me… I wouldn’t be where I am if I was just a stick figure little girl dancing on TikTok… There are a million billion girls of that nature.” What has really gotten me far in my career is the fact that I am different. I am curvy and plus-sized. My goal is to include more plus-sized people as content creators or models. I really want people to see that just because they are bigger they should not be limited from being a content creator or model as a career. I am so pleased that significantly more companies are giving curvy girls these opportunities. I have gotten to work with brands that I thought would never give a plus-sized creator or model the time of day. Some brands I have worked with are Lucky Brand, Aeropostale, and boohoo. Even some plus-sized companies, like Torrid, see the value in a plus-sized girl representing them online and modeling. I owe everything to people who want to have inclusion. I can’t wait to have more diversity!”
The Knockturnal: Although the fashion industry has progressed a lot in the past few years, what are some challenges that you believe still need to be addressed or faced?
Sam Paige: I believe although the fashion industry still has a long road of progression ahead of them they have been trending in the right direction. It has really helped my confidence to wear outfits that make me feel good in my own skin… I have seen a lot of changes in fast fashion. I find fast fashion is a lot easier to shop while being plus-sized whereas luxury brands still have a long way to go. It’s great that Gucci offers a 3XL now but it’s still not enough for the masses. I love shopping at Shien but think they could be more size-inclusive as well, their biggest size is only one size bigger than mine. I would really love to see extending in size so all people could experience the clothing they want to wear to express themselves. I am extremely sick of oversized clothing being available to straight-sized girls and making the clothing fit plus-sized girls but not offering it their size… It makes no sense.”
The Knockturnal: What advice would you give to someone who wants to get into content creating or modeling?
Sam Paige: “I have only experienced the modeling world as an influencer and it has definitely helped in my case. I want to say I am not trained as a model so everything I have learned has been from my own experience, photographers, and fashion designers that have guided me. I suggest that you sign up with an agency that you trust and go from there. Content creation comes down to consistency. It is also very important to find your niche and work your niche to its full capacity. Even now it’s hard for me to post things that don’t consist of me dancing due to my following. Post three times a day on TikTok if you have to. Whatever you decide your niche is stick with it!!!!”
The Knockturnal: Give us all the Miami Swim Week 2022 tea!
Sam Paige: “This past Swim Week I participated in three different walks. I walked in “Splashing Lights” for FLKD, the next show was for “The Society” created by designer Krissy King, and the last show was for “Miami Swim Week – The Shows” which was hosted at the SLS. In the next show the designer, Diva Kurves, had only curvy girls which were really inspiring to walk with plus-sized girls. I also walked for another brand called “Porshia” where I walked in a swimsuit cover-up. I enjoyed all the walks and found each one to be very different. I also got invited to an influencer event and got to go to the “Good American” event at the 1 Hotel South Beach Miami.”
The Knockturnal: What has been the best vacation you have been on?
Sam Paige: “I graduated from Johnson and Wales with a Bachelor’s in Hospitality Traveling Tourism with a concentration in cruise line management. I always had an interest in traveling but decided I didn’t want to work on a cruise ship after working on one for a little. Travel has now become something I am even more passionate about because I have experienced some crazy things. Last year, my best friend Morgan, AKA @bald_baddie on IG, and I went on a 20-day Europe trip. It was probably the best trip of my life.
The Knockturnal: Any new and exciting news you can share with us?
Sam Paige: “I will be walking in New York Fashion Week in September of 2022, I will also be going to Playlist Live in Orlando (The Ultimate Creator Event) in September (right after my birthday).” Playlist Live will be my first content creator event, and I am super excited! I also am slowly working on a swimsuit line with a company hopefully coming out in April.”
Keep up with Sam on TikTok and Instagram to follow her journey.
It may not be June for National Rosé Day just yet, however, fashionista Caroline Vazzana believes every day is Rosé Day!
TRESemmé and PatBO celebrate a New York Fashion Week collaboration with a lavish fete at Zero Bond private club.
“My idea was to do something very forward and comfortable that’s easy to wear, but also very summery and upbeat at the same time.” – Chuks Collins
Emerging Designer Mashell Goodluck recently unveiled his spring/summer 2022 collection at New York Fashion Week.