KRATER III: Disrupting the Fashion Paradigm

Feb 10

The extravagant show gave us much more than a traditional runway show.

KRATER is known to veer away from the traditional runway show during New York Fashion Week. The platform for intersectional artists brought an immersive fashion show this Fall/Winter season — displaying fashion designs through performance art and electronic music. As the third installation, KRATER III has yet to fail the crowd with maximalist looks, theatrics, BIPOC and LGBTQ+ representation, and all-around slaying.

Taking place in Brooklyn’s House of Yes, designers Hesta, Aguirrrre, Casa Lizarraga, Lakras, and Ooh Baby debuted collections with DJ sets by LCD Soundsystem’s and The Bunker’s Abby Echiverri, Can U Not Talk Records’ and Calvin Klein’s Kim Anh, and The Bunker’s Bryan Kasenic. KRATER is Giselle Manzano’s brainchild, who hosted the event alongside visual artist, DJ, and producer Vile Sanchez.

More than a traditional walk down the runway is required at KRATER III. Every designer gave us a run for all of our sensors. Have you ever seen a model walk into a mesh soccer net and turn it into a dress? Well, Aguirrrre did that. Have you ever seen voguing and cage dancing on a runway? Hesta did that. You’ve probably never seen an aerial hooper flying above you in an avant-garde outfit. Lakras did that. No designer shied away from vibrant colors and unique textures and patterns.

Each brand is sustainable, with exceptional backgrounds leading them where they are today. Hesta, a New York City-based brand, was Project Runway’s Season 17 runner-up. Aguirrrre, an Argentinian brand, and Mexican-Filipino brand Casa Lizarraga have worked closely with KidSuper. Lakras has collaborated with the independent marketplace Apoc, and Pittsburgh brand Ooh Baby was honored in the city’s artistic community in the Andy Warhol Museum’s Join the Family campaign.