New York Fashion Week’s First All-Hijab Show A Historic Event

Indonesian fashion designer Anniesa Hasibuan is here to revolutionize the American fashion industry, with a stunning runway show featuring 48 outfits, all with gorgeous hijabs. The collection was a bold move for the fashion industry, as Muslim women in the United States can be harassed for wearing hijabs in the workplace, and headscarves can make one a target on the street. And in France, a burkini ban was created, criminalizing Muslimah fashion.

Hijabs have been a versatile fashion statement for Muslim women for centuries. For many Muslim women in parts of the Middle East, Africa, and Asia, the garment can not only symbolize the faith, but can be used as a socioeconomic marker of class, wealth, and political beliefs. Whereas Westerners previously viewed the hijab as “otherness,”  the style has been regarded as extremely fashion forward in various parts of the world.

“I believe fashion is one of the outlets in which we can start that cultural shift in today’s society to normalize hijab in America so as to break down stereotypes and demystify misconceptions,” Melanie Elturk, chief executive of Haute Hijab, wrote on Instagram. “Last night’s show was a huge leap forward in that direction. Anniesa – thank you for the courage and strength to keep your designs and models true to your beliefs and not giving in to the pressure – you made history and we love you.”

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Muslim fashion designer Anniesa Hasibuan is making history

Last season, Muslim fashion designer Anniesa Hasibuan made headlines as she became the first ever designer to feature hijabs in every outfit of her collection.

Now, at a time when what Muslim women choose to wear is causing debate and multiple brands are deciding to make political statements via their shows, Hasibuan is making history once again.

Unveiling her second collection amid controversy over US President Donald Trump’s recent order on immigration, the Muslim designer decided to cast her show entirely with immigrants and second-generation children of immigrants.

Hasibuan, however, claims that her work is first and foremost geared toward Muslim women and not a reaction to politics.

Hasibuan says her shows prove that “fashion is for everybody"

“I'm here bringing the beautiful voice of the Muslim women, the peace and the universal values that fashion can offer,” she told AFP.

In just two seasons, the Indonesian Muslim designer has successfully made the hijab her trademark, bringing it into the mainstream and insisting that “fashion is for everybody.”

“There is beauty in diversity and differences , something we should not be afraid of,” she added.

Hasibuan isn’t the only designer looking to break down stereotypes in the fashion industry though.

For Yeezy Season 5, Kanye West cast hijab-wearing Somali-American model Halima Aden to make her runway debut at New York Fashion Week.

The 19-year-old first made headlines back in November after competing in Minnesota’s Miss USA competition while wearing a hijab and proudly modelling a burkini for the swimsuit portion.

Now, she’s breaking the boundaries of beauty and perception and is fast becoming an icon within the industry.

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Crazy for Kors - NYFW

Michael Kors. It’s a name that’s hard to forget. It’s a name that is permanently burned into your brain after your first glance at any of his work. Kors has evolved from a fashion designer to a direct fashion authority. With over 30 years designing and 7 seasons hosting the hit reality T.V. show “Project Runway” his new collection was one that was definitely a must-see at this years’ NYFW. Going back to the real basics this season, Kors stunned audiences with his new safari theme for his 2012 Spring collection which made its debut at this years’ Mercedez-Benz New York Fashion Week. Kors use of earthy tones, warm colours and animal prints of every kind were pleasant and easy on the eyes. His new spring collection fell nothing short of wild, with a subtle contemporary twist.

 (Frazer Harrison/ Michael Kors/Getty Images/ Mercedes-Benz Fashion Week Spring)

His stunning, sun-kissed models all adorned the collection perfectly, wearing everything from leopard print to white body suits under long white trench coats to safari shorts and blouses. What caught my eyes was not only the clothing, but the accessories, like the snake skin belts. Not to mention the shoes in Kors runway were to die for… especially the belted, calf-high sandals.

(Frazer Harrison/ Michael Kors/Getty Images/ Mercedes-Benz Fashion Week Spring)

Kors began his career when he was 19 and since then has been unstoppable. Never shying away from the forefront of fashion, every designer should be looking at Kors and taking a page out of his book. Next season be prepared to shy away from bright, neon colors without shying away from the wild side of fashion.

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New York Fashion Week Overview

I was fortunate to witness one of the biggest fashion shows in the US; The Mercedes- Benz Fashion Week in New York. Energetic would’ve been one way of describing the atmosphere. Many people were anxious to see the upcoming collections from some of the top designers in the world. Once the red carpet rolled out, numerous celebrities started pouring out to see the show. A-list artists like Beyonce and Nicki Minaj, socialites like the Kardashian sisters and actors Gerard Butler and Michael Douglas all stepped out to witness, front row, this spectacular show. The catwalk setting and music for each designer’s presentation was unique to them and helped to accentuate on the theme of their story. Once the lights and music started blasting and blaring, svelte silhouettes started parading up and down the runway, conveying a warm yet colourful storytelling. There were many “Ouhs” and “Aahs” for designers like Badgley Mischka and Tadashi Shoji. Talents like Vera Wang, Marc Jacobs and Max Azria all converged to exhibit their version of the 2012 Spring/Summer trend. They were not partial to skin showing, funky patterns and surely didn’t limit themselves to the typical seasonal color palettes. From pastel color blocks, bright tangerines and limes to black and neutral, the array of hues marks individuality from one designer to another. Many of them, like Narciso Rodriguez, have had their share of mishaps and adversities before getting to where he’s at now. Although he may fall short in years when it comes to hands-on experience but with a clientele like Sarah Jessica Parker, Michelle Obama and Rachel Weisz, he is far from stopping in his tracks now.

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Frazer Harrison/Betsey JohnsonSpring 2012 Mercedes-Benz Fashion Week

Take designer veteran like Betsey Johnson, for instance. She’s been in the game for decades and her sense of avant-garde and uncanny fashion statements still speaks out to a range of women hence, rendering her almost fail-safe! Energy is the word of the day, people so do like Betsey and don’t forget to cartwheel!

 Frazer Harrison/Anna SuiSpring 2012 Mercedes-Benz Fashion Week

Anna sui and Badgley Mischka delivered edginess and funky patterns on the catwalk whereas others like Elie Tahari and Diane Von Furstenberg kept it chic with sheer blouses, trousers and complimenting accessories. Milly by Michelle Smith brought us back almost 4 decades with the conservative look of shoulder padded jackets, thick framed glasses and bold prints.

Peter Michael Dills/Marc By Marc JacobsSpring 2012 Mercedes-Benz Fashion Week

Marc by Marc Jacobs flaunted his ready-to-wear look and fortunately the price will not burn a scathing hole in women’s pocket, like most designers do. Thank goodness for that!

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Seams Strict at NY Fashion Week

 

Marc Jacobs leads the charge as New York designers straighten up and fly right.

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New York Fashion Week Spring - Summer 2011

NYC mayor Michael Bloomberg opened New York Fashion Week 2010 and temporarily renamed the city's main subway route the 'Fashion Line' in honor of the week. He was accompanied at the opening ceremony by U.S. designer Diane von Furstenberg, whose collection was to be shown in the coming days in tents set up in Damrosch Park within the Lincoln Center complex. A host of celebrities thronged the front rows of many of the catwalks; at the New York Fashion Week is the first of the leading, twice-yearly fashion weeks also held in London, Milan and Paris.

The New York Fashion Week Spring/Summer 2011 Designers

The event featured some of the nation’s greatest designers and their latest looks for the coming season.The New York Fashion Week Spring/Summer 2011 designers included Nicole Miller, Buckler, Lacoste, Zac Posen, Diane von Furstenberg, Vera Wang, Badgley Mischka, Michael Kors, Tory Burch, Isaac Mizrahi, and many more.

New York Fashion Week Revenues

The Fashion Week in New York is attended by over 230,000 people and brings an estimated 770 million dollars in economic activity to a city where 175,000 people are employed in the fashion industry -according to the mayor's office. Until this year, Fashion Week had taken place in more incommodious conditions at Bryant Park, near Times Square.

Lincoln Center - Ideal Venue for New York Fashion Week

Lincoln Center has been an ideal location for the semi-annual events, with more outdoor space than was available at Bryant Park and terrific transit access, including the Number One subway line, or as it was recently called - The Fashion Line. The 2010 festival which began Thursday 9th Sep also featured a “Fashion Night Out" when city stores stayed open late into the night, thus encouraging fashionistas to shop and party into the wee hours.

The Fashion Week witnessed about 100 events, from straightforward design shows to a celebration of legendary fashionista Karl Lagerfeld to an invitation-only "Victoria's Secret VIP Suite." There were definite signs of a return to the good times for fashion, even if the US economy as a whole is only barely reemerging from recession.

The September issues of Vogue, Elle, Harper's Bazaar and W were thicker and glossier than they have been in a long time, providing an instant indication of healthy advertising revenues. In the warm-up to the main events, young designers were already showing off their wares at the CFDA Fashion Incubator workshops. Interestingly each of them had been given four mentors specialized in the fashion industry for advising them on avoiding the classic slip-ups in new businesses.

The Metropolitan Pavilion, with its high ceilings and open space, was indeed a great venue for showcasing the ethical threads of these designers. The fashion shows were often entertaining, accompanied by loud, mood-setting music and changing lighting and editors, writers, and VIPs were seen to be shuffling to-and-fro throughout the hectic week.

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