New York Fashion Week has blown through New York City, and the girls, gays, and theys are thriving. As a New York newbie, I was eager to participate in the excitement. Fortunately, this past Saturday, I attended the Berriez runway show, Vices, at the Ace Hotel in Brooklyn. Being the accessible queens that they are, the Berriez show was open to the public. So of course, I dragged my friends along for what turned out to be an extremely eventful afternoon.

Because this was my first New York Fashion Week event, I was completely inspired and enthralled by the audience. I entered the lobby and immediately noticed so many fun, creative, unique, and varied outfits in the audience. From show stopping beaded bags with butterflies, to orange silk pants with feather trim, the audience truly showed up for this event. While waiting for the show to begin, I observed my surroundings, noting brands and subtly spying on some of my favorite TikTok influencers. Amidst the variety in outfits was also a variety in identity. As we sat waiting for the show to start, I felt surrounded by a community of folks who shared the values of inclusivity, accessibility, innovation, and just flat-out fun fashion.

As the show began, MC Medusa (Madelynn) Poulson brought a whole vibe. Her commentary was hilarious and spunky – totally capturing the Berriez energy. The show was themed Vices, and each look represented a different pandemic era vice: Wine, Martinis, Lactose, Cigarettes, Candy, Sex, Shopping, Gambling, Weed, Coca-Cola, Coffee, and Gluten. Each vice was accurately represented through beautiful handmade, reworked, and vintage pieces, styled with the most fun accessories. My personal favorite was Lactose, which featured an airbrushed cow print crop top, a pair of light wash denim daisy dukes with dramatic leg fringe, cow print tights, bubblegum pink heeled boots, all tied together with a pair of three-tiered cow print earrings with a pink trim. Every look featured this same amount of detail, intentionality, and thoughtful curation that resulted in a true fashion extravaganza.

After the show ended, I spoke with Berriez founder Emma Zack about the show. We had an instant connection when Emma revealed that she is a Taurus sun, Pisces Rising, and Gemini Moon - a perfect mirror to my Gemini Sun, Pisces Rising and Taurus Moon. She told me that the show theme, Vices, was inspired by a vintage Nicole Miller shirt (worn by the DJ at the show). The shirt reminded Emma of her own vice: smoking weed. Emma said, “The shirt, mixed with me thinking about my own vice, kind of inspired the whole show.” Emma invited Madelynn Poulson to MC the show after coming up with the concept, and within a month, Vices was created. Emma told me that the best part about putting on the show was, “working with all the designers – most of the looks were designed and created by small designers. Everything is reworked vintage, so no fast fashion, obviously.” Emma was wearing a Greta Garmel tee from Berriez, a reworked vintage skirt made for her by Shop Journal, as well as Shop Journal tights. All the models, including Emma, were wearing Circus NY shoes. Emma was also decked out in vintage jewelry, varying from a choker made of vintage clock faces, to a chain with a bright green and yellow glass “Z” charm to represent her last name. Our conversation left me feeling fulfilled and hopeful about the future of fashion - a future where vintage and sustainable designs are expected, and curvy and queer models are the norm.

I am still reeling from the amazing energy that Emma and the Berriez team created on Saturday. From the audience, to the space, to the models and MC, and finally to the designs, Vices was a sublime show. In a historically exclusive industry, Berriez introduced a new kind of exhibition to New York Fashion Week. One that was just as accessible, inviting, and inclusive as it was forward-thinking, creative, and beautiful.