NYFW
New York Fashion Week Spring Summer 2018 is officially over! Photo: Getty Images

The New York Fashion Week Spring/Summer 2018 is officially over but to our fortune we can always go back and appreciate all the collections. From September 7, 2017 to September 14, 2017, New York City hosted the bi-annual fashion event that attracts over 1 million visitors and generates millions of dollars to the city.

Before, during, or after the shows you could be part of different initiatives that include, among others, the option of "ADOPT A DESIGNER," be part of the "FASHION WITH HEART CAMPAIGN" or receive exclusive education and networking opportunities with the "I’MPOSSIBLE CHALLENGE."

Find below four brands who definitely are creating art, empowering women and have a purpose of beautifying not only the exterior, but also our minds.

  • Angel Sanchez

Venezuelan designer Angel Sanchez presented his collection during the NYFW SS18 showcasing 17 pieces of exquisite elaborated gowns and jumpsuits, perfect for brides, mother of the bride and in-betweens.

Angel Sanchez
Angel Sanchez SS18 Collection Photo: Carlos Hernandez

Sanchez's creations were inspired in the romance of the Moon and the Ocean. Make-up Pro created the makeup and beauty looks for the show and the hair was by Aubrey Loots.

Angel Sanchez
Angel Sanchez SS18 Collection Photo: Carlos Hernandez
  • Katie Gallagher

Designer Katie Gallagher explores the moods and energies that emerge as seasons shift in her Spring/Summer 2018 collection, RAIN.

kate gallagher
RAIN is Gallagher's 17th collection. Photo: Nico Iliev

RAIN features breezy layers and sheer effects that contrast with the collection's overall icy, dark feel. Looks include heavy baby blue and black mink sashes with sheer English tulle hoodies and long, banded translucent skirts; loose and banded grosgrain ribbons contrasted with sleek swimwear; bondage bodysuits coupled with dainty carel shoes; and baby blue and black tights pulled over heels.

kate gallagher
RAIN features breezy layers and sheer effects that contrast with the collection's overall icy, dark feel. Photo: Nico Iliev

Accoutrements and details complete the collections, and include pearls, evoking raindrops and tears, white eyelashes and icy, dead lips.

The Debutants

  • TORRID

For the very first time Torrid, the hottest fashion brand for women who wear sizes 10-30, presented their collection at the New York Fashion Week SS18. The brand's bold new move towards increasing diversity and inclusiveness in the fashion industry, presented beautiful and badass girls with looks featuring the juxtaposition between hard and soft.

Torrid
Torrid ushers in a new era for diversity with debut at NYFW featuring finalists from Torrid’s third annual model search. Photo: Dan Lecca

Hard edge corsets and leather moto jackets topped flowy, feminine pieces for an unexpected contrast that encompasses the many sides of a woman. The collection was also peppered with signature, hand-painted elements.

torrid
Torrid ushers in a new era for diversity with debut at NYFW featuring finalists from Torrid’s third annual model search. Photo: Dan Lecca

“The collection is about art and expression—and the fusion of those two things. We also explored the idea that apparel should reflect the many sides of a woman—she’s never just one thing. The overall result is a juxtaposition between feminine and hard-edge artistry,” explained Torrid designers Liz Munoz and Kim Sippl.

SS18 Torrid
Torrid designers Liz Munoz and Kim Sipp. Photo: Dan Lecca

The Torrid runway show also served as a showcase for the brand’s third annual Model Search competition. The Top 10 finalists hit the runway before going on to the final round of competition, seeking to earn the “Face of Torrid” title, along with a modeling contract and brand ambassador status.

  • LIVARI

New, zero waste fashion label LIVARI debuted at the New York Fashion Week showcasing a collection of 13 looks with the main and sole purpose of empowering women. The women-led, women-designed and made ethically in New York brand is a collaboration between Alysia Reiner (award winning actress from "Orange is the New Black" and "Better Things," and an environmental and feminist activist and producer), Claudine DeSola (celebrity stylist and founder of Caravan Stylist Studio) and Tabitha St. Bernard-Jacobs (designer of Tabii Just and Women’s March organizer).

LIVARI
LIVARI is a collaboration between Alysia Reiner (award winning actress from Orange is the New Black, and Better Things, and an environmental and feminist activist and producer), Claudine DeSola (celebrity stylist and founder of Caravan Stylist Studio) and Tabitha St. Bernard-Jacobs (designer of Tabii Just and Women’s March organizer). Photo: Courtesy

St. Bernard-Jacobs told Latin Times that the luxury fashion line was created because "women want to know more about their clothes, who’s making it, who’s creating it and of what it is being made of." The designer also said every single piece was made following the directions from other women and what they really expect from their garments. "Not even one sketch was made without asking first to women what they really want."

All the pieces of the LIVARI collection were made out of scraps and fabric remnants the design team collected from different fabric mills suppliers, like Nova Kaeru ​in Brazil who provided fish leather, an ethical alternative to traditional leather; Herbal​ ​Fab​ supplied biodegradable Bemberg material, and Oregonian artist Rio​ ​Wrenn​ hand-dyed silk and sueded cotton using rust for color.

LIVARI
Further reinforcing their commitment to creating a premium fashion brand with low environmental impact, LIVARI engaged carbon reduction organization Cool​ ​Effect​. Photo: Courtesy

In support of the brand’s zero waste goals, Preview​ ​Textiles,​ ​Rainbow​ ​Leather,​ Lanificio​ ​Subalpino​ ​SRL​ and Two Sisters​ ​EcoTextiles​ supplied remnant fabric while Weaving​ ​Hand ​gathered all the scraps from the debut collection pieces and wove them together to create a new, repurposed fabric, in line with zero waste ideals.

LIVARI
Adding to the excitement of the show, a squad of influential, ethical-minded models have been selected to walk the LIVARI runway. Special guest models include author and entrepreneur Summer​ ​Rayne​ ​Oakes​, founder of Pretty Connected Lara​ ​Eurdolian​, actress Nichole​ ​Galicia​, activist Blair​ ​Imani,​ model and founder of Short Version, Cleo​ ​Abram​, and actress Christiane​ ​Seidel. Photo: Courtesy

Alysia Reiner told Latin Times she tries to have no expectations in life to avoid being disappointed when we asked if she believes this initiative will have a positive impact in the world, specially with the climate change.

"My truth is that with this current administration I’ve being very depressed, and this line came together as a way to empower people, and give people positive energy," said the "Orange Is The New Black" actress. "We came together as a form of activism. For me art since the beginning of time has been a way to teach, and an inside change."

Alysia Reiner
Actress Alysia Reiner from OITNB. Photo: Getty Images

"We can totally create clothes that is zero waste, by women, for women, that looks amazing and you want to keep forever," she added.

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