In celebration of New York Fashion Week, Macy’s Herald Square will be hosting an interactive fashion event in partnership with online fashion marketplace, Nineteenth Amendment. A first for the legendary retailer, this two day event will bring independent designers straight to the floor of the landmark flagship store for an on-demand, digital trunk show shopping experience. This unique collaboration will also provide these independent designers with the extraordinary opportunity to showcase their designs to a locally and globally diverse customer base in an exciting, retail environment. Macy’s Nineteenth Amendment event will take place on Friday, February 12 from 6pm to 9pm and all day on Saturday, February 13 in the Impulse Department located the 4th floor of Macy’s Herald Square.
The excitement of New York Fashion Week will present itself right in the heart of New York City’s Fashion District during Macy’s x Nineteenth Amendment event. At this digital trunk show, customers will have the unique opportunity to view and try on the Fashion Week collections of four Nineteenth Amendment designers onsite and pre-order the items online on dedicated devices. The designs, all of which are made on-demand in the USA – many in New York’s Garment District – will be shipped directly to the customer’s doorstep in four weeks. These exclusive collections will only be available for 19 days at pre-sale prices following the event and this will be the only opportunity for shoppers to try before they buy.
“Macy’s in-store event with Nineteenth Amendment will provide shoppers with a unique hands-on Fashion Week experience that has been unheard of previously,” says Nicole Fischelis, Macy’s GVP/Fashion Director of Women’s Ready-to-Wear. “We love the idea of expanding our customers’ fashion horizons by presenting this virtual “front row” experience from some of the industry’s most exciting independent designers which, in turn, makes the celebration and appreciation of high fashion more accessible and inclusive.”
“We are thrilled to bring the runway directly to consumers with Macy’s and be on the forefront of bridging the gap between great NYFW design and shoppers. This first-of-its-kind immersive, omni-channel experience will allow shoppers to directly interact with designers, hear their stories, try on garments and own a piece of Fashion Week history, made for them in New York’s Garment District,” state Gemma Sole and Amanda Curtis, cofounders of Nineteenth Amendment.
Meet the Designers
HELEN CASTILLO DESIGN – Jersey City, NJ
Helen Castillo is passionate about couture design and brings her experience from evening wear, bridal, and – most recently – Project Runway to her ready-to-wear. Helen’s designs are known for flattering silhouettes and strong architectural elements such as her signature cap sleeves and daring capes. Helen interned for Vivienne Westwood in the summer of 2011 in London, United Kingdom in the Sample Room/Design Studio, Bridal/Couture Design Assistant, and contributed to technical design with the Gold Label Men’s Design team. Returning to the United States to finish her Bachelor’s Degree at The Fashion Institute of Technology (FIT), she obtained a Design Assistant/Sample Room Internship at Vera Wang (Bridal) House in Manhattan, NYC. Most recently, Helen has been a designer on Project Runway Season 12 on Lifetime and Project Runway All Stars Season 4 (on Lifetime). She has also worked as a designer for Zac Posen.
ANJE – New York, NY
Anjé by Angela Brasington is a lifestyle fashion brand for the sophisticated and fashion-savvy woman. Focused on high quality, American-made products that are part of your wardrobe staples, this former gymnast knows what it takes to move make the sale with previous experience in fashion licensing. Using only the most luxurious fabrics on the market, Angela designs specifically for comfort and style, making her brand the new workplace essentials. Designing in NYC, the brand goes even further to support the city they love by donating a portion of proceeds to local charities.
JOVAN – Philadelphia, PA
Jovan O’Connor is a Philadelphia native and Macy’s Incubator designer whose fashion influences come from daily observance of the vibrant scenes of Philadelphia’s diverse culture. Her namesake label is clothing designed for the young professional woman with a full social calendar. While still a senior in Fashion Design at Philadelphia University in 2006, the go-getter designer was commissioned to design a gown for Philly’s own Patti LaBelle which established her as an independent custom designer. Jovan continued to build her clientele throughout the Philadelphia area, freelancing as a stylist and designing custom gowns and ensembles for special occasions. In 2014, Jovan became a Designer-in-Residence at the Philadelphia Fashion Incubator and made her debut at Mercedes Benz Fashion Week.
KREYOL – Boston, MA
At Kréyol, designer Joelle Jean-Fontaine and her team celebrate individuality through bold and enticing visual aesthetic tied to the cultural artistry of hand dyed fibers. Kréyol is inspired by humble beginnings and revolution through its rich re-imagining of bohemian silhouettes drawn from the designers experiences as a child in Haiti. Her skill and inspiration can be traced back generations to traditional fabrics and prints from Afro-Caribbean culture. Incorporating colours and textures that are bold and vibrant, the silhouettes are reminiscent of the classic and timeless sophistication of the Haitian woman in the 50’s and 60’s with a hint of modernism. Kréyol aims to impact the world one garment at a time, making it about more than just fashion but a movement to enlighten, educate and empower – most recently partnering with the Boston “Safer is Sexy” HIV/AIDS Awareness initiative as well Boston Mothers Care’s philanthropic efforts in Haiti. When you think of Kréyol, think of audacious individuals who fight, aspire to more, and aspire to move.
About Macy’s
Macy’s, the largest retail brand of Macy’s, Inc., delivers fashion and affordable luxury to customers at approximately 775 locations in 45 states, the District of Columbia, Puerto Rico and Guam, as well as to customers in the U.S. and more than 100 international destinations through its leading online store at macys.com. Via its stores, e-commerce site, mobile and social platforms, Macy’s offers distinctive assortments including the most desired family of exclusive and fashion brands for him, her and home. Macy’s is known for such epic events as Macy’s 4th of July Fireworks® and the Macy’s Thanksgiving Day Parade®, as well as spectacular fashion shows, culinary events, flower shows and celebrity appearances. In fall 2015, Macy’s launched Macy’s Backstage, its newest retail brand for discount shopping with six stores in the New York metro area.
About Nineteenth Amendment
Nineteenth Amendment curates unique collections from independent designers all over the world to bring you cutting-edge fashions at pre-sale prices you can’t find anywhere else, all made in the USA in four weeks. Inspired by the law that guarantees universal suffrage—we give everyone a voice in determining the future of fashion. Nineteenth Amendment gives independent designers a platform for high quality, small batch manufacturing and direct sales to an audience eager for cutting edge fashion before it goes mainstream. We give shoppers the power to discover the next big names in fashion and pre-order the look—before it gets to stores. Our customers don’t follow trends, they make them. Nineteenth Amendment has contracted over 400 designers from 29 countries and launched a first of its kind partnership with Macy’s Inc. in September 2015. NineteenthAmendment.com
