Staying quiet in the library of Lenox Hill’s The Town School on Wednesday wasn’t just a suggestion — it was an order. As guests silently filled in between a maze of colorful bookcases and lounged in kid-sized wooden chairs, 18 models in snake print slithered and hissed down a makeshift runway.

Event group Kailinciaga, owned by Kai Davis, brought a taste of Atlanta to New York Fashion Week with “SSSilent 7ibrary,” featuring designs from Jalen Seven’s self-named brand. The producer-designer pair of childhood friends executed the show in under two weeks, inspired by the parallel between shushes in a library and the sounds of snakes.

Since last year, Kailinciaga has established a reputation for hosting ambitious, creative fashion events. Grocery stores, universities and even the viral Roblox game “Dress to Impress” have served as inspirations for Davis, who seeks to foster community engagement and platform up-and-coming designers.

“We do this on purpose to show that the fashion world isn’t as prestigious as the eye makes it seem,” Davis told WSN. “We just show our appreciation to everyone, and we really let everyone take the show before us. At the end of the day, they’re who’s important here.”

NYU student organization Future Fashion Group, which aims to highlight sustainable fashion practices and provide students access to machines and materials for upcycling, sent out casting calls and provided recycled items from NYU’s Swap Shop for the show. CAS senior and club president Belle Mbaezue told WSN that four students were selected to walk the runway, wearing a cross between officewear and streetwear that she felt reflected the university’s “academia look.”

“We have a lot of diverse backgrounds at NYU — a lot of people who are just as interested and just as motivated on the individual level,” Mbaezue said. “It’s really important to get some of those students and their faces in the show.”

Beyond striking snake print boots, skirts and vests, “SSSilent 7ibrary” brought an edgy, Southern flair to workwear and outerwear using recycled materials and found-at-home garments. Seven layered models in items from leather jackets and flannels to red lace and ruffled undershirts — for him, these choices symbolize the shared human experience of pain and draw a line of comparison between layers of snake skin and the complexities of the human psyche. Cowboy boots and Western shirts brought a taste of home, but beanies, pumps and bomber jackets fit right into New York City’s street style.

Ties and t-shirts alike were branded with the Seven logo, consisting of a barcode with the signature number underneath. One memorable look from the collection was a red and silver rhinestone ski mask and matching cap, which complemented the model’s studded belt and layers of black-and-white striped shirts.

“SSSilent 7ibrary” marks not only Kailinciaga’s first New York City event, but the start of its expansion beyond Atlanta. While Davis and Seven may be nearly 900 miles from home, the pair says they’re still surrounded by family. With brands built on the foundation of long-lasting friendship, it’s no surprise they’re already looking for new ways to grow their community and make fashion an inclusive, welcoming space. On Friday, they’re hosting over 25 brands at a pop-up shop in Midtown, which they say will offer exposure and connection, along with the chance for guests to buy some designer pieces.

“We’re pushing a real positive agenda of ‘You can win with everybody,’” Seven told WSN. “This isn’t just for me.”

Kailinciaga will host an NYFW Pop-up shop with East Coast Fits on Feb. 13 from 1 to 6 p.m. at 15 W. 36th St. in Manhattan. The event is free and open to the public.

Contact Dani Biondi at [email protected].