MENYELEK’s Sensuality Hails New Fashion Industry Trend
Menyelek’s sensual NYFW show hails the push towards sensuality in fashion. In the wake of AI, the vigor of art and creativity is being tested, and audiences are looking to brands that lean heavily on the human touch. Menyelek’s womenswear SS 2027 collection, “The Narrator,” did just that while pushing the boundary of what a fashion show can be.
A Sensual Atmosphere
Designer and founder of the brand, Menyelek Rose’s voice loomed over audiences throughout the show. His narration bridged the gap between spectator and designer, allowing the audience to fully immerse themselves in the designs. Through his in-depth descriptions of the intentions behind the garment, the overall atmosphere the piece created reverberated through the speakers.
The room was dim, with spotlights landing on models as they walked. The models’ pace was elegantly slow, turning the runway from a fast presentation to an intentional discussion between the audience, the garments, and the narrations. The soundtrack of the show moved between sexy house music, heavy gangster rap, and groovy hip hop. These tunes all emulated the cultural feel of the collection.
The collection platformed Rose’s exploration and theme of reconstruction. Through the use of familiar garments and innovative silhouettes, the looks produced a feel of second life. Meneylek reworked secondhand garments as the foundation of looks. Deliberate cuts and exposed stitches attested to the theme of reconfiguration and hand-led construction.
Asymmetrical layered skirts were paired with structured tops. Textures like velvet, sequins, tulle, and buttons added depth to the garments. Each look danced between confidence and vulnerability, mimicking the individuality of a person.
Bold Makeup Looks
Cinematic makeup by Scott Osborne intensified the intentional vibe of the show. The makeup consisted of heavy bronzer and blush paired with electric lipstick colors and bleached brows. Osborne was determined to highlight the individuality of each model while translating the reconstructed theme onto their faces.
A line of attendees wrapped around the corner at 35 Meadow Street in Brooklyn, signaling the desire for a night of connectivity and artistry. Guests of the show were pushed to spend an extended moment of time with each look. To analyze the elaborate makeup of the models and actively listen to the designers’ intentions with the collection.
Sensuality as the Future of Fashion
This show is a testament to the cultural trend of being present and sensual in life. Now that you can scroll your feelings away or have novels summarized by chatbots, it takes effort to engage with art on a critical level. Meyelek’s show made these tasks easy for its attendees. It pushed viewers to acknowledge the humanness of the show and process the emotions they felt during it.
Many other fashion brands have been leaning into strategies that highlight the intention and skill behind fashion. This trend has manifested as surrealist fashion photography taking magazine covers or hand-drawn animations at the center of video campaigns. As a rejection of the artificially made art flooding feeds, the fashion industry is bringing sensuality to design once again.