Social media has made fashion more accessible than ever, but it’s also making us all look the same. Mood boards, Pinterest outfits, and influencer-approved formulas make it easy to copy a look, but somewhere along the way, we’ve lost our personal style. We’ve traded expression for likes, individuality for aesthetics that rack up engagement. Fashion is starting to feel like a performance rather than something fun, something that’s ours.
That’s why I love New York Fashion Week.
Why Fashion Week Feels Different
In the crisp early-fall air, the city feels alive in a way social media can’t replicate. The streets become runways, full of people taking risks and experimenting. Maximalists walk next to minimalists, vintage lovers side by side with avant-garde dreamers, and no two outfits look the same. It’s a reminder that fashion doesn’t have to be one way — it can be loud, soft, quirky, classic, or chaotic all at once. It’s personal, playful, and unapologetic.
A Playground for Individuality
Fashion Week is this rare moment when individuality dominates the feed and the streets. People are willing to play with layers, clash colors, mix textures, and express who they are through clothing, without worrying about whether it’s trending or how it will look online. There’s freedom in that — freedom to try something new, freedom to step outside your comfort zone, freedom to just be.
Inspiration Beyond the Runways
It’s also inspiring. Watching the mix of styles and personalities makes me hope that the algorithm doesn’t completely win. That even if we scroll through curated feeds all year, some of us are still willing to take a bold action with our wardrobe — whether it’s wearing a color we’ve never tried, pairing pieces that “don’t match,” or rocking a statement accessory we love but feel nervous about. Fashion Week reminds us that clothes are meant to be played with, not just copied.
Dressing for Yourself, Not the Algorithm
My hope is that this energy seeps into our everyday lives. That we stop dressing for the algorithm and start dressing for ourselves. That we let our style reflect who we are, not what someone else has curated for us. Fashion Week is more than shows and street style — it’s a reminder that individuality still matters. That personal style isn’t dead. And that, when it comes to expressing yourself through clothes, there are no rules.
Fashion Week is upon us, and designer shows are not the only thing we’re looking forward to. There’s another show that fills the air with just as much excitement—the front row fashion. Here are some of the most memorable fashion moments from celebrities and influencers.
1.Kerry Washington at Thom Browne
Kerry Washington was suited up in a head to toe navy pinstriped blazer and maxi skirt Thom Browne look.
2. June Ambrose at Christopher John Rogers
Stylist & Image Architect June Ambrose wearing the Wiggle Dot Jacquard Dress and signature lid – this time, a royal blue fur hat by Khia Tulle.
3. Jeneé Naylor at Christopher John Rogers
Fashion Influencer Jeneé Naylor giving us an edgy twist in a ballgown inspired look for the Christopher John Rogers show.
4. The Yusuf’s at Bibhu Mohapatra
5. Kelsey Merritt at Carolina Herrera
Model Kelsey Merritt wears Look 3 from the SS25 Carolina Herrera show, a white cotton poplin oversized shirt and black wool blend high-waisted bermuda shorts.
6. Lucky Blue Smith at Thom Browne
Model Lucky Blue Smith in a plaid short suit number with a black tie and accompanying black handbag, and burgundy loafers.
The Wakanda event was held at Industria Studios during NYFW, and was the end product of Disney and Marvel approaching seven designers and asking them to create a look inspired by the groundbreaking film\’s ethereal alternate world.
Chromat was tapped by Disney and Marvel Studios to design a custom, one-of-a-kind look inspired by Black Panther.
But instead of designing the garment herself, Chromat founder Becca McCharen-Tran tasked her former intern and current employee Aremu, who is an immigrant and of Nigerian heritage.
This was such a moment to see our culture represented at Fashion Week and I intentionally wore a custom made dress of ankara print in anticipation!
Several designers were also highlighted in the presentation including Laquan Smith, Cushnie Et Ochs, Tome, Sophie Theallet and Brother Vellies.
Romeo Hunte New York is a definitive luxury women’s streetwear brand. It’s a perfect balance of feminine and masculine silhouettes with intricate and surprising design details. We can’t wait to see more from this powerful and impeccable luxury outerwear brand. Popular pieces from the line include their signature buffalo check shawl, which is transformed in PVC and wool materials, is representative of the core elements of the Romeo Hunte brand.
