International Designers take center stage at New York Fashion Week for a great cause!
New York, NY – Celebrating the art of fashion for a great cause, Art Hearts Fashion kicked off New York Fashion Week with a spectacular display of talent from around the world. From Thursday September 7th to Monday September 11th over 40 international designers took over Manhattans lower east side to showcase their collections on fashion weeks most beautiful stage the Angel Orensanz Foundation.
Opening night began with a performance by Sarah Charness on the electric violin creating the perfect tone for a night that was filled with classic attire and rock and role vibe. Kuwaiti designer Mashael Al Mutawa Design ME featuring handbags by NNJ designs was first on the runway. The classic yet stunning collection was a perfect way to celebrate traditional fashion with an international flair. Next was Purvi Doshi direct from India who’s fashion journey has lead her from a small basement shop to a two story stand alone flagship store in India’s top fashion district. The collection was an amazing spin on traditional attire with modern style. Closing the 7pm segment was Project Runway’s Dexter Simmons, rocking out street-wear with his signature edge.
The 9pm showcase opened with a performance by hip-opera singer Charisse Mills who’s vocals resenated throughout the cathedral and set the town for the classic and edgy display of designers to follow. Opening designer Jonathan Marc Stein presented a modern and edgy collection followed by Datari Austin from the U.K. bringing a European flair to his eveningwear. Closing the night was celebrity designer Jessie Liu from San Francisco, providing the perfect end to a perfect opening night and set the tone for a week that featured over 40 international designers, hundreds of models and thousands of looks at the Angel Orensanz Foundation event space in Manhattan’s Lower East Side the home of Art Hearts Fashion.
Day 2 designers continued the international fashion journey opening with Columbian designer Raul Penaranda. Penaranda was declared by FORBES magazine as one of the fastest growing fashion entrepreneurs to come out of the small business industry and has been recognized by the CFDA for his work. His collection presented by Monster headphones was filled with energy and his signature Latin flair. The 7pm showcase followed with designer Premal Badiani, featuring cancer survivors in benefit of the American Cancer Society. Badiani’s beautiful floral headpieces complimented her vibrant gowns. Germany’s Luciana Adulari displayed an elegant collection of evening and bridal gowns that would make any bride feel like a princess. The showcase closed with an explosion of tropical prints by designer Mister Triple X. The collection titled “TropiX” was a continuation of the brands swim/resort collection, providing lots of eye candy and stylish resort wear.
The evening wrapped up with elegance and edge by Kenneth Barlis, featuring colorful menswear and beautiful couture gowns followed by Burning Guitars clothing’s wild take on fashion. Closing out the night was a gorgeous gown collection by Fernando Alberto Atelier.
Day 3 of fashion week opened with swag for all those thrill seekers. To Be Thrill by Edison Lu did not disappoint with the debut of his women’s wear collection at NYFW. The brand recently launched at New York Fashion Men’s week and has been expanding at warp speed. The brand’s collaboration with Judgement of Paris featured a stylish aesthetic that would leave any fashionista wanting more.
Powerhouse designer Mac Duggal was the star of the five o’clock hour, bringing a packed house of celebrities and fashion insiders to the venue, including Kelly Le
Brock, Aaliyah Rose – youngest contestant on The Voice, Carmen Carrera – trans model and activist, Asian Doll – rap artist, Jair Jurrjens- Dodgers baseball player and wife Kaylin, Halima Aden – Vogue model, Christina Mendez – international plus model, Kemetria Lily – social media influencer, Bianca Bonnie – American singer, and Sky Landish – “Love and Hip Hop” Star and fiancé DJ Drewski. Walking in the shows were Reality stars Arissa Seagal (Growing Up Supermodel), Roxy Earle – (Real Housewives of Toronto) and Niche Caldwell (married to football star Andre Caldwell) wowed in dresses that featured swirling fringe, 3-D embroidery on lace, off the shoulder looks, stylish pearl beading, and dramatic shades of lilac and blue.
The Art Hearts Fashion celebrity draw grew bigger as the night continued with A-lister Nick Cannon hosting the evening by announcing designers and the events charitable causes. Opening the showcase was Ellae Lisque presented by Best Talent Group featuring emerging models and alumni from Amercia’s Next Top Model followed by chain mail designer House of Li Jon. Menswear designer Argyle Grant took center stage with a stylish resort collection followed by Anthony Rubio stealing the spotlight with Dog couture and matching eveningwear for men and women.
Night 3 of Art Hearts Fashion closed out with a street-wear presentation by three unique designers with three very different stories to tell. Dunyah opened the show with the brands signature edge that has gained momentum in the past few years being worn and supported by top celebrities. Two Gypsea Souls followed with a grunge rock collection featuring MTV Star Farrah Abraham and her daughter. The two sisters and masterminds of the brand have been featured on The View and are making national headlines for their spin on fashion reconstruction. Closing out the night was a second presentation by label Mister Triple X. The collection titled “MetalliX” was in sharp contrast to the night’s previous show “TropiX”. The collection created an icy cool springtime vibe with metallic colors and frosted hair to match. Special model Shaholly Ayers rocked the runway with a prosthetic arm. The two part showing at NYFW by the brand Mister Triple X was a representation of designer Erik Rosete’s dual spiritual sides Fire and Ice.
Kids took over day 4 of fashion week with a spectacular display of international designers celebrating the art of kid’s fashion. Opening designer DKLJU from China showcased a spectacular display of Asian hand embroidery and western silhouettes creating elegant kidswear with modern designs. Following the Chinese designer was a showcase of young fresh designers from the U.S. featuring Snooty Booty, Alycesaundral, and Efabb collection. The 5pm presentation featured a presentation by Trico Field Beverly Hills followed by an amazing display of talent by Wanda Beauchamp from Puerto Rico.
The evening shows took the audience on an Eastern European adventure opening with designers presented by the best of Serbia Fashion Week. Sanja Bobar from Montenegro opened the show with beautiful eveningwear followed by Marinia by Maina Ilic, from Serbia and a grand finale by Zvonko Markovic Couture. The 9pm presentation opened with guest star Jeannie Mai saying a few words about designer and friend Danny Nguyen couture and the cause. Arzamandi Style from Mexico featured celebrities Marla Solis, Shaholly Ayers, and Madeline Stuart. The closing designers Charles and Ron from Malta closed out the night with a fun vacation inspired collection.
Closing day of fashion week featured the biggest couture designers from around the world with a special appearance by Akon and Christine Devine from Fox News. The shows this day were in tribute to the 9/11 attacks and were highlighted by Art Hearts Fashion’s philanthropic force.
The day of remembrance opened with a showcase that featured Eliay Cioccolato, a sexy and provocative resort brand followed by Mena Lombard’s sophisticated and stylish designs, Kristina Mak followed with a swanky Miami retro collection and closing the show was Madeline Stuart our brand ambassador for disability inclusion in fashion. Madeline’s brand 21 Reasons Why was a showstopper with live snakes and a girl gone wild. The 7pm showcase opened with Royal Legacy from Beverly Hills debuting an elegant and fresh collection at fashion week, followed by a colorful collection by House of Byfield from Netherlands and evening gowns by Resty Lagare from the Phillipinnes. Closing out the night were the grand finale couture presentations from celebrity designer Elie Madi, street wear designer Odair Pereria, and a grand finale by celebrity designer Rocky Gathercole. The models featured in this showcase were diversified in support of the trans community and models from FOX TV’s Wednesday’s child program.
Celebrities participating, hosting, and attending the shows included: Akon, Nick Cannon, Jeannie Mai, Farrah Abraham, Madeline Stuart, Shaholly Ayers, Deontay Wilder, Marla Solis, Christine Devine, Roxy Earle, Bianca Bonnie, Asian Doll, Carmen Carrera, Kelly Le Brock, Sky Landish, Aaliyah Rose, Halima Aden, Ashlee Keating, Christina Mendez, Tobias Truvillion, Kemetria Lily, and many more.
Woody and Amy Michleb led the backstage hair styling team to create a multitude of hairstyles for the Art Hearts Fashion runway using the amazing Style the Runway hair products, and Hairdreams wigs extensions April Love Pro team created the beauty looks with products by Danessa Myricks, Cozzette and Bdellium tools. Guests enjoyed an amazing art gallery curated by Six Summit Gallery. Sponsors included AIDS Healthcare Foundation, Monster Energy, Illy Coffee, That’s IT fruit bars, Savvy Travelers, Shibue Couture the official undergarment of fashion week, R & R advantage, I AM Printing Solutions, In The Weeds Natural Skin Care, Plantaze Wine, Serbia Fashion Week, Blondies Divine Desserts, Fashion Week Online, FNL Networks, Fashion ONE, Runway TV, Social Network, and Selfie Cookie.
As a voice for artistic and cutting edge designers, Art Hearts Fashion is paving the way toward the future of Fashion Week. Art Hearts Fashion’s philanthropic drive stretches internationally, putting the spotlight on how fashion can promote constructive ideals and influence the progressive evolution of the fashion industry. The platform is proud to raise awareness for organizations including: Aids Healthcare Foundation, Project Cancerland, Make A Wish Foundation, Wednesday’s Child, Children’s Hospital LA, & Women’s Cancer Research Foundation.
The event presented by the AIDS Healthcare Foundation highlighted its #KeepThePromise campaign to promote awareness and safe practices.
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