Aisha McShaw is solidfying her spot as one to watch on the fashion circuit.
The stunning designer ushered in New York Fashion Week with a phenomenal showing of her Spring/Summer 2018 ready-to-wear collection at the Prince George Ballroom on Wednesday evening. Backstage, a team of MUAs, stylists and production crew members put the finishing touches on the models as attendees made their way into the venue.
Guests enjoyed a cocktail hour, complete with light hors d’oeuvers, while mingling among the stylish crowd of influencers, fashion elite and socialites prior to the start of the show. Just after 8:30pm, attendees were ushered to their seats as the lights dimmed and the models emerged onto the runway.
Beautiful floral decor proved the perfect backdrop for the chic collection, which featured a variety of color schemes and textiles paired uniquely with the season’s hottest trends.
As a designer, Aisha says she’s taken pride in creating a line that truly has something for every woman.
“I have some edgy pieces, like the black leather corset two piece, but I also have the lace suit, which is timeless,” she told ESSENCE just after the show. “So, I feel like I have something for all generations and something for every woman. This collection brings us together. Every woman wants to feel beautiful, confident and empowered. That’s my line. It’s all about beauty and simplicity and that’s what I wanted to show tonight.”
In additon to embracing both current and approaching trends like slip dresses, metallics, belted lace and statement sleeves, the breathtaking collection also includes nods to signature Old Hollywood red carpet looks.
Several classic pantsuits and free-flowing evening gowns were standouts among the designs.
“I created the things that I want to see myself wear on red carpets,”Aisha said. “I kind of got tired of wearing designers’ clothes on the red carpet and having to call them and ask them, ‘Can I wear this?’ only to have them say, “No, you can’t wear this because you’re not this or you’re not that person.’ So, I started to create the stuff that I want to wear and that I want to see and that’s where it started. I was my first project and then I just took it to the next level from there.”
Above all else, Aisha hopes to broaden the perception of African-American designers with elegant, classy, beautiful pieces with a touch of edgy flair in between.
“I want people to know that African-American designers, we’re not just trendsetters; we can also stay classic and timeless and we’re all about all fashion,” she told ESSENCE.
“I want to show the world that we can break those barriers by just creating what we love. I feel like we have to start building our own brands and creating what we want to see and that’s what this collection represents for me.”
Photo Credit: Flo Ngala/Getty Images