Art Hearts Fashion Presents Celebrity Designers at New York Fashion Week

Located at The Angel Orensanz Foundation, the second runway show hosted by Art Hearts Fashion this season showcased various couture collections, from bridal to evening wear to a punk-esque, entirely leather ensemble.

The previous evening, the fashion platform presented a showcase with three collections from lingerie brand Adore Me. The venue transformed overnight, embracing a moodier setting that masked the cathedral in blue light, setting the tone for the runway shows. 

READ: A Modern Love Story: Adore Me at New York Fashion Week

Glaudi

Focused on Haute Couture Bridal, designer Johana Hernandez of GLAUDI is paving the way for Latina designers on a national scale. Born and raised in Los Angeles, Hernandez is known in the industry for designing luxury bridal gowns and as a speaker and mentor with over 17 years of experience in her craft. 

Shimmering gold gowns in varying lengths and silhouettes represented a bold bride, or a fashionable wedding guest, aiming for a cosmic look where the runway is the solar system and the model is a shooting star. Hernandez mixed fabrics like tulle and mesh to showcase carefully constructed looks. 

As a cathedral backdrop replaced the galaxy, elegant gowns emerged for the more traditional take on bridal couture. Hernandez constructed a collection offering a white bridal gown for every kind of bride, featuring different lengths, necklines, embroidery and shapes. 

A heartfelt tribute to marriage wrapped up the segment, reminding the audience of the importance of ensuring that a bride feels beautiful on her special day. 

Julie Colquitt 

Julie Colquitt wasn’t always a fashion designer but when she discovered the power of the crochet needle, she never looked back. She stays true to her Scottish roots with her brand currently based in St. Andrews. 

Knitwear is all the rage in spring and summer fashion, and this collection proved it. Not only did the side boob get to have its moment, but Colquitt honed in on the beauty of the female body, amplifying all of the feminine features that make women beautiful with colorful, striking and holey knitwear. Paired with knee-high boots, the collection defined the meaning of wearable art and natural beauty. 

Soid Studios 

Originally from Mexico City and now living in Manhattan, designer Jose Gonzalez of Soid Studios is known for daring looks complimented with a modern western aesthetic. In this collection, he embraced inspiration from punk fashion while telling a story with contemporary materials and silhouettes. 

Paired with handmade silver accessories by Mexico-based jewelry designer Gabriela Sanchez, Gonzalez showcased a riveting collection. He strives to bring Mexico-based designers to New York to foster their growth and longevity in the industry. 

His punk army graced the runway in head-to-toe leather looks, embodying the modern western aesthetic that Soid Studios is known for. 

“I like to involve past, present and future,” said Gonzalez. 

As an ode to the birth of punk when counterculture groups were forming in Manhattan in the late 50s and early 60s, Gonzalez created a collection to embrace the past while combining aspects of modernity. 

“The idea is more about sending this punk message to the planet to say, ‘look, we are connected,’” Gonzalez emphasized, touching on his inspiration for the collection. 

The punk movement often receives a bad rap, as at the time of its inception, society considered the individuals involved to be protesting the system. However, Gonzalez interprets the movement as a collection of people aiming to celebrate art peacefully while embracing their true selves through fashion as self-expression. 

He uniquely translates femininity and masculinity, with male models wearing skirts while the female models rocked jackets and pieces often considered more masculine.

“It’s that mix of something beautiful… strong silhouettes but at the same time I like to do femininity,” he said. 

Two models were completely covered with tattoos and hit the runway wearing Gonzalez’ favorite looks. Their vibe solidified Soid Studios’ grunge yet sophisticated aesthetic. 

In curating this collection, Gonzalez considers how New Yorkers will be wearing these outfits, welcoming the beauty of fashion from the past while rocking modern trends and styles. 

Giannina Azar 

Household names like Gwen Stefani and Jennifer Lopez have sported looks by Giannina Azar, and the celebrity designer did not disappoint. With Dominican and Lebanese roots, Azar brings sparkle to the runway behind incredibly constructed pieces. 

Azar’s craft was revealed to the audience with regal dresses and gowns meant to sparkle and make a statement. Each dress focused on details like necklines, beading and structure. The collection revealed elevated evening gowns defined by classy silhouettes and ravishing colors, fit for celebrities to grace the red carpet during awards season. Models adorned crowns and headpieces that tied each look together, proving that Azar designs dresses that are fit for queens. 

The variety of fashion showcased during the show was refreshing, giving the audience a taste of the versatility of fashion on a global scale. Each collection was defined by the unique perspective and culture of its respective designer, making this a captivating show for the New York Fashion Week audience.

All photography by Jordan McClendon.