Immersed and FOCUS’d: The Highlights of September 2023 NYFW
New York Fashion Week is the pinnacle of sartorial splendor and creative expression in the world of fashion. It’s the kickoff for the ultimate September Fashion Month and the beginning of Virgo season. As the city that never sleeps awakens to the heart beat of fashion lovers, it becomes abundantly clear that this is no ordinary week. NYFW transcends mere clothing; it is a kaleidoscope of artistry, innovation and style. Our team had the opportunity to attend multiple shows during our favorite week of the year. Here’s what went down:
Miss Circle’s NYFW Kickoff Party
Miss Circle, the renowned New York-based fashion brand, set the tone for NYFW with an electrifying kickoff party attended by a constellation of stars at their flagship store in Soho. Among the luminaries gracing the occasion were Leonie Hanne, Brooks Nader, Melinda Berry, Haley Kalil, Olay Noel and Mariama Diallo. Dressed to impress, most partygoers showcased their unique personalities by donning striking Miss Circle ensembles. The soirée was not only a feast for fashion aficionados but also a sensory delight, featuring signature libations from Lover Boy, the rhythmic beats of a talented DJ, sneak peeks of the brand’s upcoming pieces, and the artistic prowess of Genesis Logan, a portrait artist well known to FOCUS Mag.
Photo: Melinda Berry at Miss Circle’s NYFW Kickoff Party, shot by Izzy Robertti
Strada World’s Embodied Spaces: The Body As Architecture
In the inauguration of their new Soho gallery, Strada World curated a captivating opening soirée that seamlessly blended art, fashion and architecture. The event showcased a curated collection of artworks that explored the intriguing interplay between how the human form interacts with clothing and fabric, drawing parallels with the way it engages with architectural spaces—a concept eloquently articulated by the organization on their Instagram page. Strada World ensured that every guest, all impeccably attired, had an extraordinary experience, with an enticing soundtrack and an open bar setting the stage for an unforgettable evening.
Studio 189 SS24 Runway Show
Founded by Rosario Dawson and Abrima Erwiah, Studio 189 is an unmissable fashion lifestyle brand and social enterprise. Their remarkable journey has been punctuated by prestigious accolades, such as winning the CFDA Lexus Fashion Initiative for Sustainability and being honored as a CFDA/Vogue Fashion Fund Grant recipient. These achievements heightened our excitement as we eagerly accepted their invitation to attend their show, especially since this year marks the fulfillment of their decade-long mission, as Erwiah pointed out.
Stepping into Studio 189's immersive world, the show's ambiance was meticulously curated with soft, ambient lighting and an array of flourishing plants. Serving as a backdrop, the show displayed a captivating collection of portraits featuring the skilled artisans who brought the clothing to life but were unable to attend the show. The atmosphere felt like a joyous celebration of culture, and the show commenced with a touching reading of the brand's mission by V, formerly known as Eve Ensler.
The garments themselves were vivid tapestries of prints and patterns, offering an eclectic array of silhouettes ranging from boxy crop tops to fitted skirts and billowy dresses. This remarkable diversity was achieved through the masterful use of indigo dyes, intricate hand-batik techniques and the enduring artistry of kente weaving. To maintain the diversity, the model cast included people of different backgrounds, ages and body types.
Every Studio 189 piece is a labor of love, crafted with meticulous care by skilled hands in Africa, specifically within the city of Accra. Each creation weaves together the threads of tradition and countless hours of manual craftsmanship. Among the collection's highlights, a charmingly tailored jacket adorned with patches, each a testament to the craftsmanship of individual artisans, underscores Studio 189's unwavering commitment to infuse a human touch into every aspect of their creations.
Adrian Alicéa’s Arèna Blanca SS24 Runway Show
World-renowned creative designer Adrian Alicéa, has once again left an indelible mark with his extraordinary Arèna Blanca SS24 Runway Show. Alicéa selected the iconic La Mama Theater as the venue, a place with personal significance as he graced its stage during the Red Era of Ballroom in 1991. The show commenced with a captivating lineup of speakers and performers, featuring an opening address by the esteemed host of the Unbiased Label podcast, Zara Korutz, a mesmerizing musical performance by the enigmatic violinist Stella Beglaryan and voguing dance performances that notably included Alicéa's son, CJ. Not to mention an open bar by 1800 Tequila during the pre-show!
Drawing inspiration from his time spent in the Cayman Islands for his previous FW23 Show, the SS24 collection unveiled an array of vibrant hues, alluring silhouettes and an eclectic mix of textures. What truly set this collection apart was its audacious and trailblazing approach to challenging gender norms, exemplified by the inclusion of skirts worn by male models. A recurring motif throughout the pieces was the incorporation of chic feathers, harmoniously complementing the vivid colors and diverse textures. It is more than safe to assert that Adrian Alicéa's Arèna Blanca SS24 collection transcends the realm of haute couture; it emerges as an exquisite form of artistic expression, breathing life into wearable masterpieces of unparalleled elegance and sophistication. For more on Adrian Alicéa, check out his feature article HERE.
Photos courtesy of Adrian Alicéa’s team
Denimani FW23 Menswear Show
Just two months after his arrival to New York, Denimani dived headfirst into the design studio, resulting in the curation of his impressive FW23 Menswear collection. The intimate showcase unveiled an array of pieces that, at first glance, seemed like wardrobe essentials but revealed intricate detailing upon closer look. Denimani drew his inspiration for this collection from his transition of moving from Minneapolis to New York, aiming to infuse his inaugural show with the influence of this assimilation. The collection distinctly exuded a stylish dystopian aura. To be more specific, Denimani explained that this collection represents his “interpretation of what the citizens of New York would wear after climate change reaches the extreme and how it may indirectly influence classism in relation to the resources available and attire worn by those that fall within certain social economic groups." With this presentation, Denimani unquestionably made a remarkable debut on the New York fashion scene.
Photos shot by Mac West
Concept Korea
Concept Korea returns to NYFW by displaying a new roster of designers including KIMMY.J, CHARM’S and MMAM. The lineup showcased KIMMY.J's avant-garde compositions, infused with punk-inspired creativity, MMAM's wearable artistry, and CHARM'S alluring fashion, collectively breathing life into garments, weaving unique tales through their designs.
Jenny Kim and Haeun Lee, the minds behind KIMMY.J, infuse fashion with a powerful social statement. Their Spring/Summer 2024 collection transcends typical streetwear, drawing inspiration from chakra and karma cycles, emphasizing physical and mental renewal. Linear aesthetics, contrasting textures, and innovative layering converge to craft a balanced narrative.
CHARM'S, led by creative director Yohan Kang, is an emotionally charged brand with a mission to empower and grace its wearers. In the Spring/Summer 2024 collection, diverse aesthetics, from office attire to athletic leisure, are artfully expressed through unique cuts and textures. This exploration results in creatively unbalanced yet harmonious designs, showcasing the brand's distinctive and incisive style.
Hyun Park, the designer behind MMAM, effortlessly fuses graffiti into classic silhouettes, drawing inspiration from doodle art. MMAM's signature graffiti evokes the innocence of a child's visual language and resonates with humanity's innate desire for play. In Spring/Summer 2024, MMAM's collection centers on self-acceptance, defying gender, age, and size constraints to embrace inclusivity and individuality at its core.
Photos shot by Donté Jones
As for our first NYFW of attending events and shows, our team is eternally grateful for this opportunity. We are excited to see where these brands take their labels in the future! For more, check out our Instagram @WeAreFocusMag for other events we were able to attend.