Margot Lee | A&E Editor
September 19, 2025
The biannual event, New York Fashion Week, took place this week from September 11 -16, 2025, leaving a lasting impression in the world of pop culture and politics. The event, held in Manhattan, shows designers’ upcoming Spring/Summer 2026 collections in various venues around the city, including the Rockefeller Center and The Plaza Hotel. Showcasing both designers in the making and established ones, many of which decided to take a unique approach on their designs, New York Fashion Week showcases themes of gender, politics, and tradition.
Walking for Alexis Bittar’s presentation “Miss USA 1991: Dream Sequence,” was up and coming model Vivian Wilson. Wilson has gained traction on social media in recent years for her witty, bold, and theatrical presence on social media, often taking stances on transgender rights and criticizing her father, Elon Musk. Junior Emma Burke said she “only knew [Wilson] from TikTok,” where she’s known for being “the complete opposite of [Musk].” Seasoned designer Alexis Bittar, known for his background in jewelry, shifted toward a more conceptual and political collection with a satirical take on traditional beauty pageants. He dressed Wilson in a “Miss South Carolina” sash paired with flashy, over the top ’90s style makeup and accessories. This collection is a reference to recent turmoil surrounding transgender rights in states such as South Carolina. With all of the models being trans women, Bittar claims his collection was intended to shed light on misogyny, normalized objectification, and trans rights.
Following the theme of nostalgia, designer and Project Runway judge Christian Siriano nods to old Hollywood style glamour, as he was directly inspired by actress and singer Marlene Dietrich. Dietrich was popular in the 1930s and 40s, often displaying both masculine and feminine styles and silhouettes. Pieces from his collection included luxurious fabrics like tulle, leather, sequins, and satin, often coupled with dramatic sleeves, bold jewel tones, and mermaid tail silhouettes. Siriano’s presentation came as a surprise to many, including senior Micheal Havel who believes the fashion industry is moving towards “mass production and widespread hyper trends.” Havel added that seeing “Siriano’s repurposing of historical fashion” comes as a “refreshing shift towards sustainability and practicality within the industry.” With the rise of AI, digital fashion, and urban streetwear trends, this collection takes a step back to emphasize craftsmanship, durability, and versatility – elements that seem to be getting lost in today’s fast paced fashion culture.
One unique quality seen from this year’s NYFW is not just eye-catching designs, but the bold narratives embedded within them. Both Bittar and Siriano tell a story throughout their collections, inviting conversation and discussion surrounding gender and sustainability in fashion.
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