Millbrook Students Attend Show at New York Fashion Week
Six Millbrook students had the unique and exciting opportunity to attend the Xuly.Bët fashion show at New York Fashion Week.
The significance of the Xuly.Bët show was larger than the amazing work of designer, Lamine Kouyaté. His hope was that the show would foster a larger conversation around diversity in the fashion industry overall, where multiracial runways have traditionally been uncommon.
“Since the 1970s women of color have given input to the industry. So much inspiration has come from black culture,” said Mr. Kouyaté who intended on casting an all-black show, which proved a challenging pursuit.
“There still aren’t that many black models at the agencies, and the ones that are there tend to be inexperienced. They haven’t had an opportunity to walk in many shows,” said his publicist Kelly Cutrone.
Ms. Cutrone is a respected fashion publicist, television personality, and author who provided this amazing opportunity to our students, organizing a full day including backstage access, opportunities to ask questions of the staff and models, a front row seat at the show, and time to reflect over lunch with Ms. Cutrone and Mr. Kouyaté.
Ms. Cutrone is a respected fashion publicist, television personality, and author who provided this amazing opportunity to our students, organizing a full day including backstage access, opportunities to ask questions of the staff and models, a front row seat at the show, and time to reflect over lunch with Ms. Cutrone and Mr. Kouyaté.
Students who attended felt connected to the show on multiple levels. All are studying this year’s academic theme of Service for Social Justice and appreciated Mr. Kouyaté taking a strong stance on an important issue. Moreover, many of our students are deeply passionate about diversity and have participated in conferences and facilitated campus forums.
“I think Mr. Kouyaté’s show was monumental. It's a big step in the right direction of racial equality both in the fashion industry and beyond,” said Robbie Bisconti ’18.
Some student attendees, like Ilayda Koenigsberger '16, were also excited to see professionals at work in fields in which they are interested. “I am interested in studying public relations in college, and it was great to see how it can be broken up into different industries, like fashion, and how Ms. Cutrone uses her skills to support her clients,” she said.
Students came back to campus full of inspiration from the bright and vibrant show that included catsuits, jerseys, and other street-inspired pieces.
“Diversity has definitely been a huge theme in a lot of my classes this year such as English, Psychology, and Dissent. It was really cool to finally put everything I’ve been learning together at such an amazing place as fashion week,” says Ilayda.
Thank you, Kelly Cutrone and Lamine Kouyaté!
