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More than 600 guests, designers from different continents and a program that combined high fashion, sustainability, fine arts and technology turned the historic Park Avenue Christian Church in Manhattan into one of the most international scenes of this year’s New York Fashion Week.
New York Fashion Week has always been a place of new discoveries. However, for an independent designer, getting noticed requires much more than the opportunity to present a collection on the runway.
It was with this broad idea in mind that the UNIQUE Fashion Show returned to New York on September 13, as part of Fashion Week.
Organized by the Unique Fashion Foundation Association of France , the New York edition gathered more than 600 guests at the historic Park Avenue Christian Church in Manhattan, connecting designers with buyers, retailers, investors, editors, artists, educators and fashion professionals from around the world.
Founded by Gita Dzhavid, UNIQUE has, through nine editions in Europe and the United States, built an international platform where independent fashion meets media, culture, business and creative exchange.
“Our goal is to build long-term connections between fashion, education, technology, culture, media and international business,” said Dzhavid. “In New York, we connect these communities so that creative talent can be noticed, supported and connected to real opportunities on a global scale.”
One runway, a world of different fashion expressions
The collections reflected the international character that UNIQUE is continuously building. This is precisely what makes the show recognizable — it brings together designers who are unique and authentic in their expression and vision.
Kazakhstan had a particularly strong presence. Volskaya Atelier explored themes of youth, freedom and individuality, while TURSUNKULOV, founded by Timur Tursunkulov, translated traditional Kazakh craft techniques into contemporary haute couture expression. Raushan Anuarbek found her inspiration in the image of a Kazakh grandmother as a symbol of elegance, wisdom and enduring grace.
The German brand Lady Suits by Emmely Roloff presented architectural tailoring and sculptural women’s fashion, while Sanaz Masoumi, through ARA Art and Design Studio, explored handmade textiles, experimental materials and storytelling through cultural heritage. Chancell Allaiya also participated in the international program.
In the Tensengral brand, innovation came through the manufacturing technique itself. Using over a century old circular lace making machines, their Textile Tensegrity process, with minimal waste, allows for the creation of adaptable pieces that follow the body’s movements.
Tajikistan Fashion Week was presented by Mahin Olimzoda, who brought the influences of Tajik culture into the contemporary fashion context. Brazilian designer Ariane Santos, founder of the Badu Design brand, offered a different approach to sustainability, turning industrial waste and discarded car seat belts into fashion accessories.
La Magnetique took pajama-inspired aesthetics to a new level, ANKU combined African cultural heritage with contemporary femininity, while Rwandan Matheo Studio, founded by Maurice Niyigena, presented African stories and perspectives through contemporary couture and ready-to-wear fashion.
There was no attempt to make all designers speak the same visual language.
It was their differences that were the essence of the whole story.
When fashion meets art
Although the runway was the centerpiece of the evening, the program did not end with fashion.
UNIQUE strives to connect much more than just the fashion world. His vision is to create a fashion ecosystem where art, fashion, technology, music and other creative fields meet.
The B2B and B2C showroom enabled attendees to connect with buyers, retailers, investors and media representatives, while discussions on responsible production, circular fashion and material innovation positioned sustainability as an important part of the wider fashion dialogue.
During the event, the International Sustainable Fashion Contest 2026 was opened , developed in cooperation with the organizations Sustainable Fashion Week US and Inside Fashion Design USA .
Technology was given its place through Fashion and Digital Experience , a program that explored artificial intelligence, digital creativity and interactive media — at a time when all three fields are rapidly changing the way fashion is designed, presented and experienced.
And then art entered the scene.
Los Angeles artist Robert Vargas created live visual works, while figurative artist Lilit Gevorgyan presented works dedicated to movement, light, nature and human emotion.
Afghan artist and photographer Fatimah Hossaini presented the photo series The Beauty Amid War , dedicated to Afghan women, traditional clothing and cultural identity. Her works depict their subjects through the lens of beauty, dignity, resilience and strength.
Music opened up another unexpected space for dialogue. New York City Opera joined the program along with internationally acclaimed harpist and Juilliard graduate Alisa Sadikova and Armenian-American soprano Tatev Baroyan.
So classical music, visual art and contemporary fashion found themselves under the same roof of Park Avenue Christian Church.
From Manhattan to fashion pages around the world — UNIQUE is taking the global stage
For an up-and-coming designer, appearing on the catwalk can bring valuable exposure.
But what happens after the show is often even more important.
UNIQUE’s collaboration with international fashion media has become an important part of that story. Previous editions have attracted the attention of media outlets such as Harper’s Bazaar, ELLE, Grazia and FashionUnited, George V Magazine allowing designer stories to live on long after Fashion Week is over.
Paris Runway Official once again participated in the New York edition, with its editorial team, journalists, photographers and camera crew documenting the Spring/Summer 2027 collections for its international media network.
Gabriela Candela, Christian Mercado and Torry Sledge led the media and photography team, while the collections were monitored and judged by Brit Olivia.
For journalist Britt Olivia, a contributor to VOGUE, ELLE and Harper’s Bazaar magazines , as well as an editor at Paris Runway Official, UNIQUE’s vision and its idea of a fashion ecosystem are the reason why her team continues to follow this event.
“UNIQUE is just that — unique,” said Britt Olivia. “A show that still puts authenticity at the forefront is exactly what I want my team to be involved in. What we get here is the visibility of designers from all over the world, all presenting their collections together on one stage. It’s beautiful to see different cultures, worlds and perspectives come together. The magazines I write for really value shows that put authenticity first.”
In addition, the Paris Runway Official team provided gift packages for the models and guests, which included products from the brands Molly Sims YISE Beauty, Redken, Charlotte Tilbury, Misfits Protein Bars, LOVE CORN, Simply Gum, SmartSweets and GORGIE owned by Prince Jorge ‘George’ Jimenez Neubauer Torres.
Fashion without borders — a truly UNIQUE show
After nine editions, the Unique Fashion Show today connects creative communities across North America, Europe, the Caucasus, Central Asia and Latin America.
The latest New York edition showed what that network looks like when all its different elements are in one space.
Kazakh craftsmanship met German tailoring skills.
African storytelling emerged with the Brazilian approach to circular design.
Artificial intelligence found itself in the same program as more than a century old textile machines.
Afghan photography, live painting and classical music became part of the same space where the fashion show was held.
And underneath it all was an idea that is increasingly important to independent fashion: a designer doesn’t necessarily have to come from one of the world’s traditional fashion centers to become part of the global fashion conversation.
UNIQUE brings the scene, but also editors, buyers, influencers and creatives — directly to talent and designers from different parts of the world.
In 2027, this vision will be further expanded: a new edition in New York, a return to Paris, as well as premiere editions in Milan and Cannes have been announced.
On September 13, New York provided the scene.
More than 600 guests filled the space.
But for the Unique Fashion Show, the true measure of the night’s success may not be what happened under the spotlight — but how far these designers will go after the runway lights go out.
UNIQUE Fashion Show Celebrates the Power of Authenticity in NYC: Inside the Show’s International Runway Moment
More than 600 guests, designers spanning continents and a program where couture meets sustainability, fine art and technology turned Manhattan’s historic Park Avenue Christian Church into one of New York Fashion Week’s most international stages.
Fashion Week has always been about discovery. But for an independent designer, being discovered requires more than simply getting clothes onto a runway.
On September 13, Unique Fashion Show returned to New York during Fashion Week with that larger idea in mind.
Presented by the Unique Fashion Foundation Association of France , the New York edition welcomed more than 600 guests to Manhattan’s historic Park Avenue Christian Church, bringing designers into a room filled with buyers, retailers, investors, editors, artists, educators and fashion professionals from around the world.
Founded by Gita Dzhavid, Unique has developed across nine editions in Europe and the United States, building an international platform where independent fashion intersects with media, culture, business and creative exchange.
“Our goal is to build long-term connections among fashion, education, technology, culture, media, and international business,” Dzhavid said. “In New York, we are bringing these communities together so that creative talent can be seen, supported, and connected with real global opportunities.”
One Runway, A World of Fashion
The collections reflected the international identity Unique has been building. The show, produced by the Unique Fashion Foundation, is known for just that: bringing together designers who are unique and authentic in their own way and vision.
Kazakhstan emerged as a particularly strong presence. Volskaya Atelier explored youth, freedom and individuality, while TURSUNKULOV, founded by Timur Tursunkulov , translated traditional Kazakh craftsmanship through a contemporary haute couture perspective. Raushan Anuarbekova looked to the Kazakh grandmother as a symbol of elegance, wisdom and enduring grace.
German label Lady Suits by Emmely Roloff brought architectural tailoring and sculptural womenswear to Park Avenue, while Sanaz Masoumi’s ARA Art and Design Studio explored handcrafted textiles, experimental materials and cultural storytelling. Chancell Allaiya also joined the international lineup.
For Tensengral, innovation came through technique. Using century-old circular lace-making machinery, the label’s low-waste Textile Tensegrity process creates responsive garments designed to move with the body.
Tajikistan Fashion Week introduced Mahin Olimzoda , bringing Tajik cultural influences into a contemporary fashion context. Brazilian designer Ariane Santos of Badu Design took a different approach to sustainability, transforming industrial waste and discarded automotive seatbelts into fashion accessories.
Elsewhere, La Magnetique elevated pajama-inspired dressing, ANKU combined African cultural heritage with modern femininity, and Rwanda’s Matheo Studio, founded by Maurice Niyigena, brought African storytelling into contemporary couture and ready-to-wear.
There was no attempt to make these designers speak the same visual language. Their differences were precisely the point.
When Fashion Meets Art
The runway may have anchored the evening, but it did not define its limits. UNIQUE has been known to bring together more than just fashion. Its goal is to have a fashion eco-system where art, fashion, technology, music and more can come together.
A B2B and B2C showroom connected participating designers with buyers, retailers, investors and media, while conversations around responsible production, circular fashion and material innovation positioned sustainability as part of the evening’s broader fashion dialogue.
The event also opened the 2026 International Sustainable Fashion Contest , developed in collaboration with Sustainable Fashion Week US and Inside Fashion Design USA .
Technology entered the conversation through the Fashion and Digital Experience , exploring artificial intelligence, digital creativity and interactive media at a moment when all three are rapidly changing how fashion is conceived, presented and consumed.
Then there was art.
Los Angeles-based artist Robert Vargas created live visual art, while figurative artist Lilit Gevorgyan presented work exploring movement, light, nature and human emotion.
Afghan artist and photographer Fatimah Hossaini presented The Beauty Amid War , a photographic series centered on Afghan women, traditional dress and cultural identity—reframing its subjects through beauty, dignity, resilience and strength.
Music created another unexpected dialogue. New York City Opera joined the program alongside internationally acclaimed harpist and Juilliard graduate Alisa Sadikova and Armenian-American soprano Tatev Baroyan , allowing classical performance, visual art and contemporary fashion to occupy the same Park Avenue space.
From NYC on Park Avenue to the Fashion Pages – UNIQUE Goes Global
For an emerging designer, the runway can provide visibility. What happens to that visibility afterwards can be considerably more important.
Unique’s growing relationship with international fashion media has become part of that equation. Previous editions generated coverage across Harper’s Bazaar, ELLE, Grazia and FashionUnited , extending participating designers’ stories beyond the Fashion Week venue.
Paris Runway Official returned to the New York presentation with its editorial team, journalists, photographers and camera crew, documenting the Spring/Summer 2027 collections for its international media network. Gabriela Candela, Christian Mercado and Torry Sledge led the media and photography efforts, with Brit Olivia reviewing the collections.
For journalist Brit Olivia , a contributor to VOGUE, ELLE and Harper’s Bazaar and editor at Paris Runway Official , the show’s vision and passion for a fashion eco-system is what has kept Unique on the team’s radar.
“UNIQUE is just that… Unique,” Brit Olivia said. “A show that continues to put authenticity at the forefront is exactly the kind of show I want my team involved in. What we gain here is visibility to designers that are from all over the globe all showcasing on one stage. It is beautiful to see cultures, worlds and perspectives collide. The magazines I write for are very fond of Shows that keep authenticity at the forefront.”
Additionally, the Paris Runway Team provided gift bags for models and guests that included products from Molly Sims YISE Beauty, Redken, Charlotte Tilbury, Misfits Protein Bars, LOVE CORN, Simply Gum, SmartSweets and GORGIE owned by Prince Jorge Jimenez Neubauer Torres V.
Fashion Without Borders – A Truly UNIQUE Show
After nine editions, Unique Fashion Show now connects creative communities across North America, Europe, the Caucasus, Central Asia and Latin America .
Its latest New York chapter demonstrated what that network looks like when it arrives in one room.
Kazakh craftsmanship met German tailoring. African storytelling appeared alongside Brazilian circular design. Artificial intelligence shared the program with century-old textile machinery. Afghan photography, live painting and classical music existed alongside the runway.
And beneath all of it was an idea increasingly relevant to independent fashion: a designer doesn’t necessarily need to come from one of fashion’s traditional capitals to become part of its global conversation.
Unique brings the stage along with the editors, buyers, influencers and creatives to talent and designers from across the world. In 2027, that vision will expand further, with another New York edition, a return to Paris, and debuts in Milan and Cannes.
New York provided the stage on September 13. More than 600 guests filled the room.
But for Unique Fashion Show, the real measure of the evening may be how far those designers travel after the runway lights go down.
