New York Fashion Week “CONVERSATIONS” series wrapped up at Spring Studios, sometimes overlapping shows going on in other parts of the massive building. The Sunken Living Room on the sixth floor, just a hop and skip from the bar and restaurant, was a favored spot for the series that featured several luminaries indulging in conversations, focused on various areas of the fashion industry. 

BEYOND THE SHOWS Under the umbrella of BTS (Beyond The Shows) notables including; tennis star Serena Williams, E! News Correspondent Erin Kim, Endeavor’s Chief Marketing Officer Bozoma Saint John, models Amber Valetta, Lily Aldridge and Halima Aden, who is also a UNICEF Ambassador, and designer Philip Lim all shared their knowledge and journey in separate panels. Marcus Wainwright founder of Rag & Bone, shared a podium with Aaron Duffy, Co-founder of `Special guest,’ on a panel titled; “Innovation on Trend” where dynamic leaders in the fashion industry discussed new and innovative ways they utilize technology to create unforgettable immersive experiences. “Breaking Tradition with Streetwear” was the theme of an informative session, moderated by Jake Woolf, Editorial Director and Founder of SEAM.

WOMEN ON THE MOVE Mary Ann Reilly, Senior Vice President North American Marketing Visa, moderated the “Women on the Move” panel which featured; Lindsay Peoples Wagner, Author, and Editor-in-chief Teen Vogue, Becca McCharen Tran, Founder & Creative Director of the fashion line Chromat and Lauren Wasser, double amputee model & activist. This panel celebrated female leaders, transforming the fashion industry and driving positive change on and off the runway. Mary Ann Rilley opened the discussion by saying; “Our goal is to start that conversation, hearing women tell their stories. At Visa, we’ve started a program called `She’s Next’ to help young women entrepreneurs navigate their way.” 

CELEBRATING DIVERSITY Chromat founder Becca McCharen, who champions diversity said that growing up in a small town in Virginia, her teen years were trapped by what the definition of beauty was. “So when I got into the fashion industry, I embraced all types. I think It’s more than just what we see in the mainstream, there is so much more diversity to celebrate…all types.”  She shared a part of her journey, stating that her first meeting with the Vogue editors freaked her out because she didn’t know what to wear. “They kept saying, “just be yourself” so that’s what I did and continue doing.” On the topic of supporting small businesses, Becca said; “Coming up as a fashion designer is very expensive. It will change when young designers gain access to opportunities and given access to spaces like this, and like IMG to give free spaces for designers to expose their work.” 

BEAUTY IS IN YOUR HEART Lauren Wasser shared her journey noting that she got very sick and eventually lost both legs, and coming back into the industry as a model was a huge challenge. “Coming back, I only had one vision. Now, I’m being embraced by an industry that is consistently changing…We need to keep growing and changing and pushing the boundaries.” Lauren, who recently wrote a book on her life, also shared that beauty and confidence keep motivating her. “Because of sports and being uncomfortable pushed me to be more confident and see what beauty really is – it’s in your heart and in your soul and it’s what you really are.”    

EMBRACE CHANGE Lindsay Peoples Wagner, a strong advocate for change said; “When I interned and was an assistant at Teen Vogue, I saw that the brand was changing. When I came in as Editor-in-Chief, it was really important to embrace our readers who think about all things apart from fashion…If I’m doing the work that is inclusive, all these changes add up to what you are. Things are not changing as fast as they can. It has to be more than just us. It has to be concerted efforts by everyone, not just industry folks.”

WORDS OF ADVICE In closing, each panelist shared words of advice to young women starting out in the fashion business: First Lindsay offered: “Work for yourself and not your boss.” Mary Ann offered: “Follow your passion doing something  you really believe in.” Becca stated: “The people who are working in the trenches with you are the most important people in your life. AND, develop confidence that you belong. Lauren concluded; “It’s so much more than just you being humble and thankful. Use your platform for change”