Fashion Week is a spectacle not just for clothing, but for the faces that define our cultural moment. Beyond the designs and models, the attendees and unexpected stars often tell us more about what’s trending and who’s capturing the public eye.
This season’s New York Fashion Week saw a surprising star emerge: Vivian Wilson, Elon Musk’s eldest daughter. She made waves by walking in three prominent shows—Prabal Gurung, Alexis Bittar, and Dauphinette, dramatically opening the latter with a powerful scream.
Olivia Cheng, the designer behind Dauphinette, acknowledged the anticipated buzz around Vivian’s appearance. Ms. Wilson, who is transgender, has gained attention for publicly critiquing her estranged father. ‘People truly care about what she has to say,’ Cheng remarked, highlighting the cultural significance of Wilson’s presence.
Another runway sensation was Olandria Carthen, a beloved figure from the latest season of the reality show ‘Love Island USA,’ whose appearance in the Sergio Hudson show was met with enthusiastic applause, a rare feat for a debut.
Ms. Carthen and co-star Nicolas Vansteenberghe weren’t the only unexpected guests at Off-White’s front row. They were joined by none other than Ellie the Elephant, the New York Liberty’s famous twerking mascot. As the team’s official culture and style partner, Off-White proudly showcased Ellie, with the Liberty’s chief brand officer, Shana Stephenson, proclaiming, ‘She’s truly transcended sports, becoming an icon of fashion, style, and New York culture.’
The front row at Diotima also featured Rama Duwaji, a rising cultural figure in New York. This illustrator is notably the wife of Democratic mayoral candidate Zohran Mamdani.
While Ms. Duwaji might not yet be a household name, she was among a fascinating mix of niche but influential personalities at Fashion Week. This eclectic group included actress Sara Paxton, who delighted fans by briefly reprising her mermaid role from the 2006 film ‘Aquamarine’ at the Tyler McGillivary show, uniquely held on the Wavertree ship at Manhattan’s South Street Seaport. ‘The Gilded Age’ actor Ben Ahlers also made an appearance.
Ben Ahlers, who gained ‘sex symbol’ status after the latest season of ‘The Gilded Age,’ was seen everywhere from exclusive parties hosted by GQ, Dior, and Nylon, to the front rows of Todd Snyder and Simkhai shows. Hailing from Iowa, a state he jokingly notes ‘has no style,’ Ahlers shared that Fashion Week has been instrumental in helping him ‘claim my sense of style as an adult.’
Shop Talk
- The world of footwear continues to buzz with exciting collaborations. Following its successful partnership with artist Tom Sachs, Nike is set to release a new shoe on October 9th, crafted in collaboration with Air Afrique, the iconic former Pan-African airline now a Parisian creative powerhouse. Meanwhile, Sperry has previewed a stylish new collection of boat shoes featuring platform soles and bold grommets, designed with Monse (known for creating flight suits for Blue Origin’s pioneering all-female crew), expected to launch next year.
- Renowned artist KAWS is stepping into a new role as the inaugural leader of Uniqlo’s artistic residency program. This initiative will bring exclusive events to select stores and see KAWS develop fresh, innovative products for the popular apparel brand.
- Celebrity jeweler Alex Moss, whose clientele includes Drake and Jack Harlow, celebrated the grand opening of his flagship store on Mercer Street in Manhattan’s vibrant SoHo neighborhood. Beyond his signature jewelry, the new store also features a collection of elegant leather bags designed by Moss himself.
- A new trans-Atlantic collaboration has brought together Edinburgh-based accessories brand Strathberry and New York women’s wear label Cinq à Sept, with a strong focus on handbags. Their freshly launched collection offers a range of clutches, hobo bags, and totes, expertly crafted from luxurious suede, leather, and velvet, with prices starting at $238.
- LVMH-Prize-winning designer Thebe Magugu, the first African designer to achieve this prestigious award, is now spearheading innovative retail and hospitality ventures at the luxurious Belmond Mount Nelson Hotel in Cape Town. His plans include designing a brand-new hotel suite and curating an on-site store that will showcase exquisite African fashion, literature, and décor, both slated for completion this year.
Chatting With … the Costume Designer for a Hip-Hop Ballet
Queens-born designer LaQuan Smith has a passion for parties, and this vibrant energy is at the core of his eponymous label. His designs cater to women who embody empowerment and an unapologetically sexy confidence, as he describes them.
Smith, renowned for his lavish Fashion Week parties that amplify his brand’s presence, articulated his design philosophy: ‘I always feel compelled to create designs that instill hope and optimism.’ He emphasizes that his work is fundamentally about ‘celebration — whether it’s a date night, an anniversary, a wedding, dancing, or even a book party.’
This celebratory spirit will be on full display at the Brooklyn Academy of Music, where Smith is the costume designer for a special one-night-only contemporary ballet performance. Set to rapper Future’s album ‘DS2,’ the show promises to be a unique fusion of art forms. In a condensed interview, Smith shared insights into his inspirations and his enduring fascination with ballet.
Question: Your latest ballet venture follows a successful project with the Joffrey Ballet in Chicago in 2013. What is it about the world of ballet that continues to captivate you?
LAQUAN SMITH: As a designer, I find immense joy in channeling my creativity through the mediums of theater, ballet, music, and film. These art forms truly excite me, allowing me to innovate and expand upon my core collections while broadening my product offerings.
Question: How did you seamlessly blend classic ballet aesthetics with your distinctive style?
SMITH: My goal was to reinterpret classic ballet aesthetics with a modern, fresh twist. This involved integrating my signature design elements, such as daring plunging V-necklines, intriguing cut-outs, sleek catsuits, and figure-hugging bodysuits. I aimed to fuse these bold, almost ‘dangerous’ silhouettes with the delicate elegance of traditional tutu skirts and soft chiffon fabrics.
Question: You’ve often cited New York as your primary muse. What is it about this city that inspires you so deeply and keeps you rooted here?
SMITH: New York is intrinsically woven into my story. The city’s unique blend of grit and glamour—its ability to juxtapose the hard with the soft—has consistently fueled my collections. For me, designing in New York City feels like the ultimate luxury, and contributing to the vitality of its garment district is incredibly important.