Runway 7 Brings the World to Sony Hall

01A Global Season at Sony Hall

The six-day program gathered 138 designers and brands connected to 20 countries and territories. Collections ranged from ready-to-wear and eveningwear to streetwear, swim, couture, bridal, and accessories. Runway 7 reported that more than 27 participating brands represented Latin America, including work connected to Argentina, Mexico, Chile, Bolivia, Peru, Colombia, Honduras, El Salvador, Guatemala, Puerto Rico, Brazil, and Costa Rica.

Sony Hall gave that international roster a single Midtown stage. The schedule mixed established names with independent labels and emerging designers, then made room for presentations focused on animal welfare, HIV, cancer awareness, cultural identity, and sustainable production.

02CatWalk FurBaby Opened the Week

Runway 7 began its 11th New York season with ELYSIAN Impact’s fourth annual CatWalk FurBaby. Under the theme “Women Inspiring Women,” the opening paired 10 designers and 20 models with 10 animal charities and 10 furbabies. Fern Mallis received the 2026 Lifetime Achievement honor, and journalist and television producer Charlii Sebunya served as master of ceremonies.

Victor de Souza, Anne Fontaine, Marc Bouwer Studio, L’Agence with Cate Brown, D’Marsh Couture, Hot Girl Quilting, Mazarura, Bless by Bless, Halyna Shunevych, Any Old Iron, and Magpies & Peacocks made up the announced designer roster. Guests included Consuelo Vanderbilt Costin, Nicole Miller, and Marc Bouwer. Three awards—People’s Choice, Judges’ Choice, and Publisher’s Choice—distributed a $25,000 pool among participating teams and charitable partners.

03New Voices Started the Main Schedule

The first full day opened on September 9 with Grant Glazier, Mazette Wigs, Nupe Valley, VRTKives, Abeke Designs, Antra Vegas, Saifi, The Kallee Jackson, and Threaded Legacy Foundation. HIV Unwrapped followed with a private presentation shaped by researchers, emerging designers, and people with lived experience of HIV.

The rest of Wednesday moved through work by Roughplay, Constella Davis, Fenix, Rih. The Brand, Derrick Kern, Purity, Zian, Linaje Atelier, Neelam Sami, House of Apaala, Yor, Byfeller, Fabró, Bora Bora, Chandra V, Enrique Fashions by Eric, Diamond & Pearls Fashion House, LC Couture, Renee’s Bridal, and Phaxsi.

04Thursday Mixed Craft and Drama

Thursday’s lineup opened with Ariahwolf, Marsol Atelier, LA by Lina Alfaouri, Ashley Rae LTD, Lus Noir, Savage Series 8, and Lady Ash Design. Ashley Rae’s collection emphasized fabric reuse, quilt art, and size-inclusive clothing. Swim, athleisure, bridal, and eveningwear filled the afternoon through labels including Swaroop Collections, Hilia Swim, Luna May, Luis Alvarez, and God Said Couture.

At night, CHICK New York brought 1980s references while Veritée Hill presented sculptural eveningwear. L’Esperance and Morgan & Morgan shared the 7 p.m. program. Alejandro de los Reyes closed the announced schedule with Mr Crazy & Lady Sexy, Áurea Argentina, Dream Dress Bridal, and Amaya Butrón.

05Rick Ross Joined Friday’s Finale

Friday moved from Princess Metalhead, Human Concept, Marie Minks, Mann Made Athleisure, and Ourworld Luxury into swim, couture, eveningwear, streetwear, and travel pieces. Momma Boss Swim announced a 30-look resort collection, while later groups included Andre Soriano, Rye Chasin, and bugatti.

The 9 p.m. program ended with RR22, a collaboration between Edition22 and Grammy-nominated artist and entrepreneur Rick Ross. Its announced 20-look collection combined street-luxury clothing with vegan-leather bags and travel accessories.

06Project Lab Coat Centered Cancer Stories

Saturday included an 80-look children’s presentation from Savvi Kids Couture Clothing and collections from L’Unico e Solo, Randhawa Brands, Jesse Lee Designs, Vaida, Ren Haixi, and other independent labels. The evening’s central project was “Le Cœur en Scène,” a couture presentation from Project Lab Coat and the Prevent Cancer Foundation.

Each lab coat represented a different cancer and the life connected to it. A cancer survivor joined the runway through the Head and Neck Cancer Alliance. Runway 7 reported that Project Lab Coat had raised more than $200,000 through work connected to Mount Sinai, Global Lyme Alliance, Project Lyme, and Lymelight Foundation.

07Canine Couture Led Into Malan Breton

Sunday’s program drew from couture, swim, youth fashion, eveningwear, streetwear, and culturally rooted design. The announced roster included Archie Brown, Label Nimisha, Mina Concept, Genny Morgan, Priyal Doshi Couture, Nareeka Collection, Ana Kubu, The Seen Experience with Charlotte Seen, KKSwimwear, and House of Barretti.

Anthony Rubio paired dogs and models in coordinated canine-couture looks during the afternoon. ANTHM, Huneys, Stacey Martin Lifestyle, PCTheLabel, and Hirun New York followed before Malan Breton’s 9 p.m. finale closed the announced runway schedule.

08The Season Added Its First Awards

Runway 7 scheduled its inaugural Fashion Awards for September 14 at Sony Hall, one night after the runway shows. The program covered designers, creators, hair and makeup, media, models, performance, and innovation. Fashion categories extended from streetwear and ready-to-wear to global heritage, swim, couture, sustainability, bridal, accessories, and emerging design.

Nominees included Simón Villalba, Jesse Lee, Paromita Ghosh, Amna Inam, Karen Chan, Andy Bachman, Carlos Alberto, and Markos Pimentel. Malan Breton was also announced for a special appearance after the house’s closing presentation.