A Look Inside New York Fashion Week with DWF

New York Fashion Week— an event I had dreamt of attending since I was a little girl. Hearing my mother’s stories about living in New York in the 90s and watching re-runs of Sex and the City solidified this event as a must on my lifelong to-do list. And then I got the bright idea to go.

Some friendly email exchanges and a million outfit freak-outs later, I was on a plane with a group of fellow NYFW enthusiasts to the city. We arrived on a Friday, September 12th, and left that Sunday. We landed at nine AM in full glam, the chicest, most effortlessly fabulous outfits we had at our disposal (which were curated with three closets and multiple brainstorming sessions, of course), and nothing but the overstuffed bags on our backs.

Upon overestimating our navigating abilities, we missed our first runway show. Blame the New York City subway, don’t blame me (it was my fault). However, we were luckily able to make it to the NY Archive’s Runway Rehab, an NYFW event and launch of their new line in collaboration with Maison des Nus and the Collection Atelier.

Photographed by: Alex Spidle

We entered the studio hosting the event, instantly met with what can only be described as a gorgeous display of fashion. There are various clothing racks sporting expertly curated pieces, glamorous shoes decorate an entire corner of the room, and even the space itself is accessorized with stylish posters, stickers, and party favours. Even more striking, somehow, are the women filling up the space, each in their own chicest, most effortlessly fabulous outfits too. The chatter of passionate young women wafts through the air. I hit it off with a girl who recounts smoking a cigarette with The Dare the week prior. I’m starstruck.

Next up were the runway shows themselves, all of which were graciously hosted by Runway 7, a New York-based award-winning fashion platform intent on merging fashion, culture, and social impact. This season, the company showcased over 140 designers from twenty-five countries at Sony Hall in just five electric days. I was ecstatic and continue to feel so grateful to have worked with one of the most inclusive and dynamic platforms within NYFW.

Every show was incredible, but some moments that really stood out to me were:

Sustainable luxury designer Ren Haixi’s unveiling of the Wild West Reimagined, a zero-waste couture collection inspired by the landscapes of Utah and Arizona. Haixi is a Forbes 30 Under 30 honoree and has worked with the likes of Kylie and Kendall Jenner, Billie Eilish, and Cardi B. Her SS26 collection is a sensual, futuristic take on the American desert, featuring sun-bleached colours atop frayed silks, distressed lace, and raw hems. In alignment with Haixi’s mission of sustainability, all materials are upcycled and manipulated using zero-waste techniques, such as laser distressing and biodegradable dyes. The collection is the wild, raw depiction of the modern woman, and it is just divine.

Photographed by: @art_of_jabbar & @edwinalvaradophotography

Bantu Gold also unveiled their SS26 collection, which was a beautiful celebration of African heritage atop a global stage. Founded in 2020 by Lukundo Simpemba, Bantu Gold is a luxury streetwear brand based in Botswana. Despite its pandemic origins, the brand has already proven its international influence and secured its space among top designers, participating in Fashion Weeks in London, New York, and Toronto. Along with lively music and nostalgic, black and white videography, the show featured elevated streetwear looks that blended comfort, culture, and effortless style. The collection’s overall look was clean and contemporary, consisting mostly of neutrals with pops of muted blues or greens, but always sporting the brand’s iconic yellow logo.

Photographed by: @martinmann14 & @ajm.world

As the final models strutted down the catwalk, I knew my adrenaline wouldn’t just fade away— and it didn’t. It followed me out onto the streets of Manhattan. The magic of attending NYFW wasn’t just in the runway or the pop-ups, it was the frantic subway dashes and debriefs over ramen. It was the million coffee runs, stopping every five seconds to take pictures, and talking about how we still couldn’t believe we were here, even whilst ferally devouring pizza on the sidewalk.

Looking back, this trip was more than a childhood to-do list being fulfilled, it was a realization that my mother’s stories were not just memories, but a calling to what I could be doing with my own life. Being able to witness the artistry of these designers up close reminded me that fashion is a powerful, global language and an intimate outlet for storytelling— one that I'm extremely passionate about. I left New York thinking about how the next time I was here, I’d need a bigger bag.

Written by: Victoria De Notaris

Uploaded/Edited by: Victoria De Notaris