All Things Mochi at New York Fashion Week
September 4, 2019, was the first time I had ever been to a fashion show, since the days when my sister modeled during the nineties. On this day, All Things Mochi, the lively brand bringing an array of cultures and their artisan crafts to life kicked-off New York Fashion week to introduce their Spring/Summer 2020 collection. Designer Ayah Tabari, highlights traditional embroidery techniques from around the world by working with artisans to input their craft into every collection created. With an incomparable vision, Ayah and her team brought the Filipino Payihas festival (a traditional celebration of a bountiful harvest) to the forefront in their presentation set and designs for SS20.
The presentation kicked-off Fashion Week in New York, inviting guests to step into a celebration of a beautiful culture that included:
Models lining the room in ombre fields of wheat to embody the celebration of the harvest
Traditional Dancers & Drummers setting the scene and aura that mirrored the liveliness of the annual festival
Hand-crafted props (Hats, Fans, Belts) and decor from the artisans were sent over as a gift to bring good luck
Vibrant eyeliner, natural skin, and nails hand-painted in the collection’s designs pulled the bold looks together with an extra touch of flair
During the festival, The Republic nods to their National Hero, the fictional Maria Clara. Inspired by their faith and honor, Ayah stepped up to modernize the butterfly sleeve dress to include silhouettes made popular by Filipino women and whom they look up to. Additional inspiration for the collection was pulled from the traditional embroidery that is meticulously handmade by the Filipinas at home by using silkworm thread on piña fabric. The various floral prints seen through many pieces in SS20 reflect nature, as the Philippines consists of over seven thousand breathtaking islands with landscapes ranging from beaches to forests.
The All Things Mochi event was one of three intimate-styled fashion affairs I attended, where visitors were afforded an up-close look at their amazing designs, rather than having to catch all-to-brief glimpses, as models stroll down the runway.