Fashion Forward Week Debuts with a Bold Vision for Fashion’s Future
Fashion Forward Week (FFW), the brainchild of industry veteran Jordana Guimaraes and her partner Christopher Hunt, made a striking debut this week in New York City, officially launching September 9th at the WSA Building on 180 Maiden Lane. More than just a series of shows, FFW positioned itself as a platform for storytelling, inclusivity, and sustainability, reshaping how fashion is experienced and discussed.
A Kickoff Dinner with Industry Icons
The celebrations began on September 8th with an intimate dinner at Eataly SoHo, where designers and executives gathered to toast the FFW vision. Among the notable attendees were Rebecca Minkoff, Jennifer Zuccarini (Fleur du Mal), Sander Lak, Stuart Trevor (Allsaints and STUART TREVOR), and business leaders including Candice Pascoal (Alfredus.co + RedBoxMe in collaboration with Cartier) and Robert Rizzolo (Global President of Alexander Wang). Gary Wassner, CEO of Hildun Corporation and a pivotal supporter of FFW, also joined the evening, underscoring the event’s industry credibility.
Innovation on Display
The main event on September 9th unfolded as a dynamic mix of performances, presentations, and technology showcases:
Stuart Trevor closed the day with a behind-the-scenes photoshoot presentation, where models danced to David Bowie tracks as part of his new collection’s inspiration.
Doobie Duke Sims of Snow Milk collaborated with dancers from the Martha Graham Dance Company for a moving performance-meets-runway hybrid.
An AI styling tool — reminiscent of the film Clueless — wowed the audience as models used technology to instantly curate mood-based looks.
On the Innovation Floor, forward-thinking brands showcased cutting-edge concepts:
Certilogo powered by eBay – connecting consumers directly to their garments.
RAMM.Ai – a web3 platform linking luxury fashion with tokenization.
Upcyclers – championing upcycling as a mainstream practice.
Purpose Meets Community
FFW’s mission extended beyond fashion, shining a spotlight on STOP THE TRAFFIK, a non-profit addressing human trafficking in global supply chains.
Conversations also took center stage with a series of panel talks. Jordana Guimaraes and Candice Pascoal launched the series in a discussion moderated by Vanessa Coppes, Founder of BELLA Media + Co., announcing the creation of a private social network to foster ongoing dialogue among the FFW community. Other speakers included Christina Hadinoto (Contour Lab), revolutionizing AI fit technology, and Yuliya Kusher (SOLO for Diamonds), innovating diamonds made from blood and DNA. Music from DJ Ana Clara Cady set the soundtrack for the day.
Looking Ahead
“Our mission with Fashion Forward Week is to push out the motto of ‘Fashion is for Everyone,’” shared co-founders Guimaraes and Hunt. “This week was just the beginning of creating a more inclusive and sustainable future for fashion.”
The next edition of Fashion Forward Week will return in February 2026, expanding to five days during New York Fashion Week. Each day will spotlight a different continent, creating a global stage for innovation, culture, and change.
For updates and more information, visit FashionForwardWeek.com
Photography: Michelle Behre