Of late, the Wearable Art Exhibition debuts during New York Fashion Week (NYFW), fusing fashion and art. Hosted in the heart of NYC’s vibrant East Village, the event took place at Art Gotham, a cutting-edge incubator for emerging artisans.
The venue, also known as the iconic Hamilton-Holly House, was originally built in 1831 by visionary architect Thomas E. Davis. Over the years, it has served as a rock ‘n’ roll fashion hub for legendary stars like Bruce Springsteen, Nicolas Cage, Marie Presley, and Cher.
In 2024, it was officially recognized as a historical landmark, making it the perfect setting to amplify the global conversation around sustainability in fashion, art, and culture.
More than just an event, NYFW WAE is a movement—a call to action for communal expression that drives change across industries. The exhibition champions ethical and social responsibility, bringing together designers, artists, and performers with shared values. Organized by Fioritura Collective led by Lea Szabo, the initiative was produced in collaboration with key contributors such as Maria Voth Velasco designer of Turtlehorn, Creative Director Armon Hayes, and PAKINCHINO, founder of The Heart of Houston.
The event provided an immersive platform for brands to engage directly with a highly curated audience. The pre-event Artisan Market, open to the public, featured a diverse lineup of brands, including: Rock N Stonez, Divergent Dreams Designs, HearRingz, Nightmare Nymph, and TJ Holdman’s glassware handbags. Simultaneously, live art activations by Bigsistastudio artists Michael Temple + Tommy Maksanty captivated attendees.
The exclusive nighttime exhibition showcased cutting-edge fashion from brands such as Chavelis PlayHouse, Thread Haus, So’Radical, and Zombii House, while the energy remained high with DJ Charlie Brown + DJ Epidemik spinning on the ones & twos. The evening also featured electrifying live performances by Lela Dang, LaJune, and ATG.
The event was spirited—both figuratively and literally—thanks to Drink Lunar, the official sponsor of the evening’s refreshments.
The Wearable Art Exhibition 2025 set the stage for a new era in sustainable fashion and artistic expression, reinforcing the power of creativity as a catalyst for cultural change.
