Located next to the fuming Hudson River, and hidden amidst foggy skyscrapers is the minimalist-inspired Studio 450. The walls are white waterfalls and the bare ceilings expose the pipeworks, evoking an industrial and urban aesthetic.

Oxford Fashion Studio has curated shows with over 300 designers, internationally. Tonight, they’ve stunned their audience once again with a fine selection of premiering designers, one of them even hailing from Armenia.

Rachel Pollack Designs broached the dense silence as its first model strutted lushly onto the runway in a shimmering v-neck  blouse and black trousers. Her other artworks consisted of thin blouses with plunging necklines, contrasted by conservative ankle-length skirts.

TadazzleMe followed, showcasing a trendy array of boots and heels — a little too trendy for its own good, though. The models were clad in dresses so short, you could’ve wore one like a T-shirt. Black and decorated with unfinished seams, the bold length of these mini dresses took away from the footwear, which consisted of black heels with various embellishments such as peacock feathers, pearls and texturized rose prints.

Shabeeg continued the show with a spectacular collection of religiously and culturally inspired streetwear. Velvet long sleeves with doily trim and abstract artwork depicting women in burqas; socks, shirts and capes with neon arabesque prints.

WSN had the chance to speak to the CEO of Shabeeg, Mary Sukiasyan, about what inspires her designs.

“Lately, I’ve been watching a lot of movies — like, old movies, and everything about the 19th and 20th century. I think I was inspired by that as well as my Armenian heritage.”

Mirochoa was next, displaying handbags and pocketbooks that were fashioned with pastel pinks and greens. Between a set of round and square bags, these pieces had a Korean-inspired flare: thick lines and geometric patterns accompanied by floral accents. However, the incohesive looks of the models took away from the bags’ already muted beauty.

B. Zarina closed down the runway with a collection of wondrous silk jumpsuits and matching silk bonnets decorated in rocky sparkles and floral lace. There were some flops though, like cheetah and leaf-print dusters that left much to be desired. But delicious shades of copper gave life to cardigans, while crimson feathers decorated a show-stopping floor-length dress that heralded the end of this pageant of aspiring artists.

Email Alejandro Villa Vásquez at [email protected].