New York is never short on fashion events, especially in September. For a few dizzying days, the city becomes a blur of black SUVs, impossible shoes, and calendar invitations stacked so tightly that getting from one neighborhood to another qualifies as cardio. Still, some of the most memorable fashion moments happen away from the traditional runway.
Case in point: The Penthouse Edit.
For two days, RAISEfashion, Refinery29, and our title sponsor Afterpay took over the Penthouse at The Standard, East Village, filling the downtown space with independent designers, standout collections, and more than a few pieces I immediately wanted to add to my shopping cart. What truly made this event feel extra special is that it gave guests the chance to see the clothes up close, meet the people who made them, and actually shop their work.
That last part matters. Runway images can introduce us to a designer’s world, but there’s something different about standing inches away from the clothes. You can see the construction, feel the fabrics, and hear the story behind a piece directly from its creator. Throughout the penthouse, designers eagerly walked guests through their collections, explaining the references, techniques, and ideas that transformed each garment from a sketch into something you could wear.
“The one thing that people get wrong about fashion week is that it’s purely experiential,” Felita Harris, RAISEfashion’s executive director, tells Refinery29 exclusively. “It’s not. We understand the runway shows and showroom visits can be quite exciting—not to mention the parties. But designers are in business to make money and expand their brands globally. So we need to pay attention to that and understand it’s about more than just the experience.”
That same focus on long-term growth shaped Afterpay’s involvement. “New York Fashion Week is one of the most powerful stages for emerging designers to be discovered, and Afterpay is excited to support RAISEfashion in creating an experience built to extend that opportunity,” explains Tanuj Parikh, head of revenue at Cash App and Afterpay, in a press release. “The Penthouse Edit brings together culture, commerce, and access in a way that helps independent brands connect with industry leaders, reach new audiences, and build momentum beyond Fashion Week”
When guests first arrived on the top floor of the Standard, East Village, they were immediately greeted by a display of fabulous headwear designs created by ESENSHEL. Imagine leopard print toppers and vibrant red wide-brim hats that could easily upgrade any outfit all perched on a stand in museum-worthy formation. One glance to the right, and guests were treated to a resort-ready collection of Diarrablu designs that left me ready to plan my next vacation.
And to the left, avant-garde dresses by AMARAMARA.
The immersive experience didn’t stop there. CAMPILLO brought the separates our closets need: blazers with exacting tailoring and a host of elevated, thoughtfully constructed pieces. While LEBLANCSTUDIOS delivered a splash of color in the form of pastel knits and jeans. YESAET delivered a polished roster of pieces perfect for everyday wear and beyond. And ZUT left us longing for colder weather with a wildly cool colleciton of outerwear.
And the lineup didn’t stop at clothing. ALMASIKA, Gwen Beloti, and McKenzie Liautaud made the room sparkle with their hypnotizing jewelry, while Vontélle and OLEADA supplied the finishing touches with eyewear and expertly crafted handbags, respectively. It was a little slice of fashion heaven curated by industry vets April Hennig and Roopal Patel.
The fun continued with participants from Victoria’s Secret’s Runway to Revenue program. Perfect DD, Springrose, D.bleu.dazzled, Bellibind and Rifcare all gave us a glimpse into their game-changing creations, from postpartum solutions to reimagined dancewear that has garnered attention from Queen Bey (yes, Beyoncé) herself.
“Runway to Revenue was created to help women founders access the resources, mentorship, and connections needed to grow their businesses,” Leslie Nixon, vice president of belonging & community impact at Victoria’s Secret.”We’re proud to partner with RAISEfashion to help showcase this exceptional group of founders during New York Fashion Week and celebrate the innovation they’re bringing to the future of fashion.”
During the VIP cocktail reception on September 11, K.NGSLEY designer Kingsley Gbadegesin also received the $15,000 Crown Royal x RAISEfashion Designer Grant. The award came with two celebratory words from Kingsley, “Whoo, $15,000!”—and plenty of cheers and joyful screams from the crowd. But its impact stretches beyond that rooftop. For an independent designer, funding can mean producing a collection, fulfilling a large order, hiring support, or simply having enough breathing room to focus on the next idea.
“Generosity has always been at the heart of Crown Royal, and we’re proud to continue that mission through our latest collaboration with Juicy Couture,” says Jazmine Settles, senior manager, brands in culture at Crown Royal. “RAISEfashion was a natural partner because of the work they’re already doing to support emerging designers. Through the Crown Royal Designer Grant, we’re putting real resources behind their talent and giving them more room to build what comes next.”
By the end of the event, my camera roll was full, my list of designers to follow was growing, and I had spoken with creatives who were genuinely excited to share their work during one of the city’s busiest moments. Their enthusiasm was infectious, and The Penthouse Edit offered a compelling look at where fashion may be headed next. From the looks of things, the future is bright.
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