You never know what to expect from him, and this year, KidSuper did it again. He went against the grain and managed to surprise us once more. Free and open to the public, with an A-List celebrity front row, the American designer presented an entire show without showcasing any of his designs, using his platform instead to support five emerging designers from Brooklyn. Out of nearly seven hundred applicants, Ahmrii Johnson, Daveed Baptiste, Kent Anthony, Rojin Jung, and Shriya Myneni were the lucky ones selected to debut their collections during New York Fashion Week at Brooklyn Borough Hall.
Earlier this year, Colm Dillane aka KidSuper, in collaboration with Antonio Reynoso, Brooklyn Borough President, held an open call for amateur designers, offering mentorship, resources and a five thousand dollar grant to each of the five selected.
From Daveed Baptiste’s sculptural denim pieces to Kent Anthony’s leather work, Shriya Myneni’s reconstructed and deconstructed forms, Rojin chained bodies that ultimately flourish, and Ahmrii Johnson’s Caribbean patterns, each capsule transported us through personal journeys and discoveries while navigating the fashion world and its challenges.
Daveed Baptiste’s Soaring High collection explored the journey of a Haitian immigrant boy through the stages of life within urban Black American society. Ahmrii Johnson’s Everlasting Love examined the transitions from grief to deliverance, honouring both refuge and release. Icon by Kent Anthony elevated Black creativity to luxury fashion. Shriya Myneni’s In Pieces, Still Whole explored identity as something in motion and always reshaping, while Rojin’s Through the Rain collection portrays the journey of a young creative and all the struggles that come with pursuing one’s dreams.
The people’s runway was more than just a fashion show, it was a dialogue between a community, a shared space for creativity. In an industry where carving out a space for yourself is becoming increasingly difficult, KidSuper showed that fashion can lift others and celebrate local talent and rewrite the rules.
Could this be a glimpse into the future of fashion? One where creativity, mentorship and inclusivity take centre stage, giving the next generation of designers the platform they deserve.
Kent Anthony
Shriya Myneni
Rojin Jung
Ahmrii Johnson
Daveed Baptiste
