Maui X Lolita Spreads Its Wings With a Spectacular SS26 Show
NEW YORK, Sept. 16, 2025 — If there’s one show that proved why New York Fashion Week still has the power to thrill, it was Maui X Lolita’s Spring/Summer 2026 presentation, Fly or Die. The Black-owned mother-daughter brand, founded by Lolita and Maui Malone, celebrated its fifth anniversary with a production that felt more like a full-scale cultural moment than a fashion show.
A Legacy Reimagined at Bryant Park
The choice of venue was deliberate — a black box space just one block from Bryant Park, where the original NYFW tents once stood. That nod to history set the tone: Maui X Lolita wasn’t just showing clothes, they were staking their claim in the legacy of New York fashion.
Fashion That Moves Beyond the Runway
This season, Maui X Lolita doubled down on its mission of designing for real people who live stylishly every day. The womenswear was sharp, sophisticated, and easy to imagine off the runway — pieces that feel just as at home at a high-profile event as they do in the wardrobe of a woman who refuses to compromise style for practicality.
Expanding Into Menswear and Footwear
The big surprise? A full menswear line — expanded from last year’s capsule — that effortlessly balanced edge and polish. From sharply tailored jackets to street-ready separates, the menswear made it clear: Maui X Lolita is not a women ’s only brand anymore. And just when you thought they couldn’t push further, they unveiled their first footwear line: butterfly-inspired heels destined to become a signature.
A Performance That Brought the House to Life
The presentation itself was nothing short of breathtaking. The runway opened with ballerina Carmina Ballesteros gliding across the stage, her movements paired with live piano by Jacob Gehlbach — a performance curated by Maui Malone herself. As if that weren’t enough, rapper Nuke LeFleur (Raekwon Smith, son of Method Man) emerged as one of the models, commanding attention and giving the debut menswear collection undeniable swagger.
Custom cocktails rooted in the family’s Caribbean heritage, SS26-themed visuals projected on a jumbo screen, and a house packed with industry insiders created an atmosphere that felt electric from start to finish.
Voices of Vision and Resilience
Lolita Malone summed it up perfectly:
“We aren’t just designing for celebrity red carpets — we’re creating elevated, wearable pieces for the everyday stylish person. Our motto, ‘For Fly Girls Only and For Fly Guys Only,’ isn’t just a tagline. It’s our reality.”
And Maui Malone made it clear this is only the beginning:
“Every year, our shows get bigger and better. With SS26, we celebrated five years of MxL in the biggest way yet — and the response has me already dreaming of how we’ll top this next season.”
A Star-Studded Front Row and Celebratory Spirit
The guest list read like a who’s-who of fashion and culture: actress Novi Brown, singer Summer Dennis, model Liris Crosse, influencers including the Kalogeras Sisters, Brandon Cole Bailey, and Joshua Walsh, along with Chey and Tamika Smith, the daughter and wife of Method Man, all turned out to support. Sponsors Ten to One Rum, Drink Sanzo, Vacation Sunscreen, and Hiyo only added to the festive, celebratory spirit.
Fly or Die: A Declaration of What’s Next
Fly or Die wasn’t just a collection- it was a declaration. Maui X Lolita proved they are not only here to stay but are ready to soar to even greater heights. In a week filled with standout shows, this one stood out as a triumph: part fashion, part performance, and entirely unforgettable.
Photo credit: Maui X lolita Brand