NYFW: Small Boutique Fashion Week
By Diarra English
Small Boutique Fashion Week proved that risks are still on the table when it comes to fashion. From scantily clad hemlines to textured fabrics, designers laid it all on the runway with their collections.
Small Boutique Fashion Week is a springboard for independent brands and designers who are looking to get their foot in retail door. In the last 10 years, SBFW has introduced over 3,000 designers to boutiques, small scale buyers, and the public. With over 15 events year round and around the globe, SBFW is the largest platform for designers and brands to showcase their work. In addition to launching emerging brands and designers to the world, SBFW also serves as a pop up shop for vendors ranging from clothing, to accessories, to food and beverage.
The energy at the SBFW shows was anything but small. Upon entering the studio in the Flatiron District of New York City, bright lights, energetic music, and excited smiles filled the tightly packed room of fashion enthusiasts. From the outside one would have never known this industrial-looking building is where some of the most vibrant fashions and high energies would be. While waiting in the hallway to enter, chatter amongst guests included shared anticipation for the new designers set to debut their collections, and a sense of wonder for what would be seen on the other side of the doors. With the runway strategically snaking around the room to give everyone a proper view of the intricately designed garments there was no bad seat in the audience. As the models strutted fiercely and swiftly through the room, daylight that was fast approaching sundown hues of pinks, yellows, and oranges streamed in through the floor to ceiling windows ever so perfectly for the 4:30 show, adding an element of ethereal glow to the models as they made their way through the room adorned in fabrics of all textures.
Fifi Design, Endie Inc, and BombFace were the stars of the 4:30 show, each sending 10 unique looks down the runway. As their models pumped down the runway to modern r&b, techno, and instrumental beats, a symphony of approving oohs and ahhs could be heard from the audience. Each look that came down the runway from each designer commanded the attention of the room. It was impossible for anyone to take their eyes off of the unique pieces of art that were being so graciously presented. Highlights from each designer included a denim two-piece set from Fifi Design with a pleated skirt, utilitarian loungewear sets from Endie Inc, and animated streetwear from BombFace. What was refreshing to see was the element of risk each designer took: whether it be a pleated pattern, a military-inspired jacket, or a vibrantly colored emoji patch, there was no reach too far out of range. There was truly something for everyone in each collection, and the audience made this clear with their resounding accolades.
Although the show was short and sweet, one could feel people lingering behind in hopes of holding on to the excitement of the evening. In between the 4:30 and 6:30 shows, it was clear that SBFW had once again ignited a passion in its designers and patrons — a passion for exploring the unknown and embracing what’s new and different. Now, we wait with bated breath for the next show in Paris.