VISUAL DISPATCH, VOLUME 12:
Ode to New York Fashion Week SS25 Ready-to-Wear
New York Fashion Week is always a total rush! It's not just about the glitzy parties or the celeb sightings—it's a celebration of all the behind-the-scenes magic that goes into making it happen. I'm talking about the PR pros, writers, stylists, and production teams who pour their hearts into every detail to bring the collections to life. Each show feels like a perfectly choreographed performance, built on months of hard work, pitching, and planning. From the seating assignments to the invites, everything is designed to build anticipation before the lights go down and the real magic starts. And when those models hit the runway, showcasing the most cutting-edge designs of the season, it's pure euphoria. The mix of music, lighting, and incredible fashion creates a fleeting moment of beauty that’s impossible to beat.
This season, I got to dive into some truly unforgettable collections. From LUAR’s bold, edgy cuts to Who Decides War’s denim-fringe vibe pushing boundaries, every show was a true showcase of the artistry and vision that fuel this industry. Palomo Spain brought a dreamy, romantic touch, while OliviaSade hit us with a bold, fresh take that really stood out. I wrapped up the week at a super chill friends-and-family event at R13—a perfect mix of good vibes and creative energy.
Here’s a behind-the-scenes look at everything we saw at New York Fashion Week:
WHO DECIDES WAR
Who Decides War, co-founded by the visionary duo Tela D’Amore and Ev Bravado, absolutely blew me away with their latest collection—honestly, it’s my favorite one yet. Celebrating their 10th collection, the brand has really nailed its signature style, blending distressed denim, oversized yet form-fitting pieces, and a stained glass motif that reminded me of the windows in a Catholic church.
Walking into the Hall des Lumières, Cash Cobain’s beats filled the space, taking me back to memories of my friend and stylist Xavier Means, who initially pitched a bigger collab with the rapper. The energy was electric, especially with Cobain and a talented group of students from the Frank Sinatra School of the Arts setting the mood for the entire show.
The collection was all about deconstructed materials—cotton, linen, denim, leather, and lace—reimagined through the lens of Black Americana. By producing everything in-house, Who Decides War is flipping the script on streetwear and showing that luxury can absolutely live in this space.
I couldn’t take my eyes off the bomber jackets they created with Pelle Pelle. The intricate logo patterns were next level, and there’s even a hint of a future collab with Jordan Brand, which has me seriously excited. Backstage, I ran into Kerstina Renee—your favorite creative and content manager (and a fellow Instagram follower I’d been dying to meet!)—who was busy managing the organized chaos.
From the bombers to the music, the whole show captured the heart and soul of New York City, and for that, we should all be grateful.
LUAR
LUAR’s Spring 2025 collection was a perfect mix of modern elegance and punk edge, set against the iconic Rockefeller Center backdrop. I made my entrance and of course tripped over a "chuchero" (a box of speakers and subwoofers that turns cars into sound machines), but quickly brushed it off. Luckily, I bumped into my Haitian sis Kerane Marcellus from Essence and Ashlyn Delancey from Marie Claire, so the awkward moment faded fast as we caught up, buzzing with excitement for the show.
The music was a full-on vibe, with techno beats and booming bass, peaking with Trina’s "Who’s Bad" during the finale. As for the collection, 53 looks strutted down the runway, full of dramatic silhouettes, LUAR's signature bags, cheetah prints, leathers, fringe, and sheer fabrics that moved with the models.
One of the standout moments was a model’s veil-like coned hood that revealed a bouquet of upside-down dollar bills as she walked. Offset owned the runway with his usual swagger, even with a slight stumble at the start—reminding us that everyone has their moments. Then Madonna entered, effortlessly gliding to her seat beside Ice Spice, just as the crowd buzzed in anticipation.
The collection was called “En Boca Quedó” (meaning "I'm leaving"), but honestly, none of us wanted to leave.
PALOMO SPAIN
Set against the stunning backdrop of the Church of the Divine Paternity, Palomo’s All of Heaven’s Parties collection was a true celebration of maximalism. Think layers of beading over sequins, feathers mixed with fringe, and bold, voluminous silhouettes that took center stage. I was greeted by the amazing Gia Kuan team—always so sweet, driven, and on point with everything.
One of the standout looks for me was a gorgeous all-white two-piece that just oozed elegance and movement. The trousers, with shimmering silver fringe, flowed beautifully with every step, while the halter top, with its bold circular design, pulled everything together with a mix of refinement and edge.
From glittering micro-shorts to oversized sequin trousers, every piece pushed the boundaries of menswear with dramatic flair. Vibrant ostrich-feather wigs and Swarovski crystals added a luxe vibe, while subtle Jazz Age touches like piano-shawl fringe and satin detailing brought a sense of old-world glamour to the modern, gender-fluid designs.
OLIVIASADE
Founded in 2020, Oliviasade is making a major impact with its debut runway show, “R You Coming Home.” The unisex collection challenges traditional fashion norms, blending pop culture references with community influences to create a fresh, inclusive aesthetic. Known for standout pieces like the “Ode to Warhol Fck BB” tee, Oliviasade revitalizes both seasoned and new generations with its bold designs.
The collection features luxe cotton garments, logo-heavy prints, and bold “CENSORED” motifs. Patriotic American flags and edgy camo patterns flow throughout, while daring bodysuits bring a modern twist.
A key highlight is the “I Love NY” shirt, where “NY” is crossed out and replaced with “I Love Oliviasade”—a perfect example of the brand’s rebellious spirit. Produced by Maya Avery and supported by Youthforia, Converse, Ripple Co, and Lola Camera, Oliviasade goes beyond traditional fashion, capturing the underground artistry of NYC.
The collection evokes the bittersweet feeling of the "come-down"—the calm after the party ends, when the city slows and the night settles into quiet reflection.
R13
I wrapped up my NYFW experience by attending a private event at R13, invited by my dear friend from Miami, Amun Bes, who works for the brand. There, I also met another multidisciplinary artist, Mark Delmont, known as @artlovetrap on Instagram, who is also from Miami. Connecting with these two fellow Miamians was the perfect way to end the week and reminded me of my roots—where grit meets luxury, and art becomes a necessity when resources are scarce and problems need solving. This gathering served as a beautiful conclusion to a week that was both overwhelming and fulfilling, reinforcing the true reason we’re all here: