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2025 SMGlobal Catwalk Spring Fashion Week
By Stella Shenkman
SMGlobal Catwalk held a New York Fashion Week gala at the Paris Ballroom in Bryant Park on Saturday, February 8, 2025. The gala kicked off at 5:00 pm with drinks, networking, and conversation, leading up to the highly anticipated runway show at 7:00pm. Even with a snowstorm on the rise and expected to expeditiously continue all through the night, the ballroom was filled. The energy was electric and excitement to witness stunning couture coursed through the venue.
Ellie Torres hosted the runway show with charisma and charm, dazzling in a black Samina Mughal gown. Before the show began, she took time to interview those who made the night possible– designers, performers, makeup team, and even enthusiastic guests. This moment was especially meaningful, as it highlighted not only the designers but also the supporters and the behind-the-scenes teams who brought the gala to life.
Office Punk Couture
Eclipse
The first collection of the night, Velvet Affairs by Samina Mughal, set the stage for elegance. Models graced the runway in elegant gowns in varying shades of pinks and red. Each piece was characterized by a signature touch of sparkle, and they shimmered with grace and beauty.
Following this, a striking performance from Ayuuta and Risa Sekicuchi took the stage. Themed around destruction and reconstruction, the performance was an artistic spectacle. Accompanied by a vibrant kaleidoscopic visual display, a woman entered the runway with her face concealed beneath a red umbrella. Her movements were sharp and unexpected, leading into a mesmerizing sequence with two masked performers. Their synchronized, deliberate motions created a sense of cohesion and storytelling. The act concluded with the performers floating off the runway almost ethereally, returning for a bow alongside the artistic choreographer, performance announcer, and a man carrying a stunning sparkling tapestry symbolizing peace and hope.
Velvet Affairs
Office Punk Couture
The second collection was a collaboration between Samina Mughal and Terani Couture. Samina expressed deep gratitude for the opportunity, acknowledging Terani’s influence on her journey as a designer and celebrating the milestone of now carrying the full Terani Couture collection on her website. The runway lit up once again with dazzling craftsmanship, and as a special surprise, runway co-host, Stephanie Ellen Almeida took to the stage to model one of these exquisite gowns.
In a dramatic shift in tone, student-designed pieces from FIT brought Office Punk Couture to the runway.This moment was a standout of the evening. The student models exuded confidence, strutting down the runway in daring, innovative pieces made by their peers. Each design cleverly juxtaposed the rigidity of traditional office attire with artistic elements and pushed the boundaries of businesswear with a rebellious, avant-garde edge.
Performance by Tori Hey
Performance by Ayuuta and Risa Sekicuchi
Another stark transition followed as Tori Hey took stage for a breathtaking performance en pointe. This unexpected addition to the show underscored Samina Mughal’s commitment to blending fashion with artistry. A model in the show, Tori Hey effortlessly transformed the runway into a stage for ballet, delivering an emotional and entrancing performance. Her gratitude for the opportunity was evident, and her presence only elevated the night’s sense of innovation and spectacle.
The fourth collection, Eclipse, presented in collaboration with Samina and Lara was nothing short of celestial. This remarkable lineup of gowns, featuring rich hues of emerald, deep blues, black, and gold, evoked the mystery and brilliance of a starry night. With stunning silhouettes and intricate textures, the collection embodied its namesake, an eclipse, where elegance meets allure.
Office Punk Couture
Office Punk Couture
For the final runway walk, Office Punk Couture returned with another round of FIT student designs. Once again, the collection captivated with its fusion of business casual and barrier-breaking creativity. Each piece demonstrated precise craftsmanship, offering an exciting glimpse into the next generation of couture innovators.
SMGlobal Catwalk’s NYFW Gala was more than a fashion showcase; it was a testament to the boundless creativity that the industry holds. From dazzling elegance to avant-garde defiance, every moment on that runway pushed boundaries, celebrated artistry, and redefined couture. Even as a snowstorm raged outside, the energy in the Paris Ballroom was unstoppable. It was truly a night of vision, talent, and sheer brilliance– a bold statement that the future of fashion is not just bright, but revolutionary.
SMGlobal Catwalk’s NYFW Pre-Show