edited by Nana Peluda
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Runway 7, the fashion industry’s only true vertical platform, offers a world-class platform and fashion incubator for independent designers and renowned brands alike to showcase their collections each season at NYFW. They not only give a platform for designers to show but also offer production and manufacturing services to their designers. 360 Fashion is the official manufacturer for Runway 7, and presented a 2-minute performance by authentic Peruvian dancers, showcasing culture and tradition through dance. The Runway 7 platform donated a portion of their ticket sales to MS Research. 

The Runway 7 schedule included three full days of designer runway shows featuring both established and indie fashion brands. Iconic fashion designer and CFDA member Naeem Khan opened Runway 7 New York Fashion Week with a show-stopping day on Friday, September 9 with Kate Beckinsale closing the show in a platinum gown. The crowd of VIP’s was a who's who including Ryan Seacrest, Fern Mallis, Linda Fargo, Director of women's fashion at Bergdorf Goodman, and Colin Cowie. The ethereal collection was a tribute to earth with natural tones mixing glamorous pops of bold reds and greens.
Handmade luxury clothing and swimwear brand Estella B made her first-ever appearance at Runway 7. Other designers included Forever Fearless Fashion, Tania Arevalo, Iniquity, sustainable eco-couture brand Janelle Funari New York, NUBICollection, Indonesian American fashion designer Sasmita Batik, The Tailory New York, and Actively Black, created by NBA player turned entrepreneur Lanny Smith, is a black-owned athleticwear brand with a mission to uplift and reinvest in the African American community is a favorite of Steph Curry, Steve Harvey, Meagan Good, and President Barack Obama.
Inclusive couture designer Jessica Jade, whose collections are inspired by the princess rockstar fairy dreamland that lives in her head, closed out the first day of Runway 7 during New York Fashion Week with a fun, flirty show featuring a vibrant collection filled with bright colors and bold prints for Spring / Summer 2023.
During the second day of Runway 7, Desislava Simeonova, winner of last season’s Runway Muse student fashion competition, which was judged by Naeem Khan, showcased her Spring/Summer 2023 collection that included a variety of ruffled, asymmetrical dresses, flared pants, and fitted matching sets. Jacqueline Mones, and Francys Lorena Herrera, second and third runners-up, also showcased their S/S 2023 collections, all of which are now manufactured and produced by Runway 7, followed by fashion brand Isabel Original.
Later in the day, the shows continued with LouLou Damour, vegan-friendly, inclusive womenswear brand Wadsworth House, Vancouver-based luxe womenswear brand Delayne Dixon, and fashion and graphic designer, and former Project Runway Season 19 contestant Darren Apolonio, whose glam punk collection included pieces for both men and women. 
Also showing at Runway 7 were KK Swim, Maui X Lolita, True Tone Swim by Italian designer Isabella Biscarini, activewear brand XCarii Xii Fashion, sustainable clothing brand Greenwrld, luxury clothing brand Ydamys Simo, Caerols, House of Castell by Merlin Castell powered by Elektra Models. Men’s ready-to-wear fashion brand and mental health advocate Inherent, whose iconic “Steve McQueen by Inherent” collection is an officially-licensed range of essential accessories and garments for discerning gentlemen, also made its Runway 7 debut this season, followed by PUNK Majesty, female-empowerment lifestyle brand Just Be 72, and handcrafted womenswear brand Renacio, who featured inclusive models from all over the world including 10-year-old influencer and transgender model Noella McMaher.
Nightlife high priestess and fashion icon Susanne Bartsch closed the second day of Runway 7 at New York Fashion Week by presenting her highly anticipated Look II Spring/Summer 2023 collection featuring newsprint sweatshirts, screen-printed mini dresses, logo embellished dresses, and bright, bold ensembles that would look perfect on the dancefloor at one of the infamous parties for which Susanne Bartsch is known.
During the last day of Runway 7, showcasing their Spring / Summer 2023 collections were lifestyle brand Tell the Truth, Irari Ford, Harlem-based street couture designer Rey Jaiteh, Luna Selene, YA the Label, streetwear brand Tonari, luxury streetwear brand Le Karja, Harmonia, Inner Be Leaf, eponymous womenswear brand Luciana Quiroga, bridal and custom dress label Brandy Design Studios, Helena Kolan Bridal Couture, fashion icon Barbara Hulanicki OBE, the legendary Founder of BIBA, brought the latest collection from her incredible new brand, Fun In The Sun by Barbara Hulanicki, Ativ Custom Couture, Kayzie Couture, ZZCouture by Raul, teen activewear and custom apparel brand House of Barretti, Nil & Mon, teen influencer brand CHICK.
Stephen Goudeau closed Runway 7 NYFW on the evening of Sunday, September 11 with an astounding Spring / Summer 2023 collection that included a wide range of timeless pieces that vary from casual to dressy with an edge. Highlights included fashion-forward black leather with white graffiti jackets, voluminous feather skirts and dresses, sophisticated animal print suits, and classic laced bridal gowns.  
Sponsors include Doll 10 Beauty, Matter of Fact, MUSICA, W Hotel Times Square, Beachwaver, Stanley Brand, BeatNic, Artist Makeup Academy, Rogue House Salon, Straight Walk Runway,  Aveda, Dyson and Luxe Autos, which will be presenting an art exhibit entitled “The College Cuber” by celebrity artist and viral sensation, Dylan Sadiq. Larkly will sponsor the official swim hour of Runway 7. The official accessories provider for Runway 7 at NYFW is Scarves & Fedoras, the official shoe provider is Lidia Talavera, and the official skincare provider is Atul Skincare. The official magazine sponsor for the show is Original Living Magazine.  Marriott is the official hotel partner, with 5 properties as the exclusive sponsor for NYFW, including: Fairfield Inn & Suites Times Square, SpringHill Inn & Suites Times Square South, SpringHill Suites Chelsea, TownePlace Suites Chelsea, and Fairfield Inn & Suites Penn Station. 
About Runway 7 
​ Recognized as the first and only hybrid of its kind, Runway 7 Fashion is a vertical one-stop fashion platform representing the best in cultural diversity by integrating international designers, media celebrities and commerce. Runway 7 not only has the capability of offering its designers production to develop their collection samples, but also produces a professional runway show that is presented to an audience of industry insiders, media, buyers and VIPs. Runway 7’s expansive style marketplace offers guests a true experiential event both in person and online to directly engage with brands and designers. Runway 7 debuted in September 2021. www.runway7fashion.com
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