Flying Solo, the renowned platform for emerging brands, once again made waves during New York Fashion Week, presenting a dynamic showcase featuring more than 60 designers from the U.S. and beyond.
Hosted at the iconic Canoe Studios within the historic Starrett-Lehigh building, the event offered a front-row experience to some of the most promising talents in the fashion industry, with a spotlight on statement accessories that stole the show.
The runway was adorned with a dazzling array of jewelry, handbags, shoes, and other accessories, proving that details make the design. From bold sculptural earrings and delicate layered necklaces to handcrafted artisanal handbags and avant-garde footwear, the showcase was a testament to the craftsmanship and innovation of independent designers. These standout pieces didn’t just complement the runway looks—they became the focal points, redefining the power of accessories in fashion storytelling.
A key element of the show’s success was the impeccable styling, led by Head Stylist Alina Kotsiuba, alongside Co-Stylist Jaqueline Lunkes. Their expertise in seamlessly integrating statement accessories into each ensemble resulted in eye-catching, high-impact styling that set new trends in the industry. Whether it was an oversized gemstone ring catching the runway lights or a bejeweled clutch that became the ultimate conversation starter, every piece played a role in elevating the overall aesthetic.
Capturing the essence of the event, industry-leading photographers and media outlets ensured that the showcase was documented with stunning imagery. Getty Images, Mariya Nicole (@mariyanicolemvp), Alex Callejo (@ac_photography_chicago), and Tony Thanawat (@tonychuvani) brought the runway to life through their expert lenses, immortalizing the intricate details and artistic brilliance of each accessory.
With yet another successful NYFW presentation, Flying Solo continues to solidify its reputation as a leading force in supporting and elevating emerging talent in the global fashion scene. By championing independent designers specializing in accessories, jewelry, and footwear, the platform proves that true luxury is in the details.
ANNE SCHOLLENBERGER
In 2023, Anne Schollenberger launched her vegan luxury brand, specializing in handbags, shoes, and hats crafted from innovative, plant-based materials. Driven by a passion for accessories and a commitment to sustainability, Anne sought to prove that fashion can be both eco-friendly and exceptionally beautiful. Her second collection showcases that sustainable fashion can be stylish, offering a statement for a cruelty-free future.
The new collection, inspired by adaptability and flexibility, features versatile accessories that can transform with ease, showcasing how small changes can make a big difference. For those starting their own fashion brand, Anne advises to define a clear vision, prioritize sustainability, and remain passionate and authentic in the pursuit of their goals.
BUDHAGIRL
BuDhaGirl, founded by Jessica Jesse in 2013, is a luxury lifestyle brand that blends well-being with everyday products. Its unique approach, Mindful Glamour, combines intention-setting and contemplative rituals with gorgeous and functional items. Jessica’s vision was to create products that offer both beauty and promote physical and mental well-being. The brand encourages users to incorporate Mindful Glamour into daily routines, setting intentions in the morning and expressing gratitude at night.
The KOI collection is inspired by the myth of the koi fish, symbolizing transcendence. The KOI All Weather Bangles, crafted by 20 artisans in Thailand, feature swirling patterns and BuDhaGirl’s signature enamel chop bead. Jessica advises aspiring fashion brand founders to create a brand with its own voice and stay true to its essence for long-term success.
CLASSICHARMS
Classicharms, founded in 2021 during the pandemic, emerged from a love for art, fashion, and jewelry design, aiming to bring positivity and optimism. The brand combines creativity with a message of empowering women to indulge in everyday luxury. Classicharms’ jewelry combines modern sensibility with vintage charm, highlighting femininity, sophistication, and confidence. Emphasizing minimalism, the brand refines every outfit with simple yet elegant designs.
Currently, Classicharms is led by three talented designers from diverse backgrounds, committed to creating ethical semi-fine jewelry for women worldwide. Featured in Vogue, L’Officiel, and Vanity Fair, the brand is also present in top department stores and on leading e-commerce platforms.
ATTACH
Daria Shevchenko is the founder of ATTACH, a luxury brand known for the Attach Flip Case, a phone accessory with a refillable cosmetic kit, crafted in Europe. After over a decade in the fashion industry, Daria realized that phones — the most personal item in our lives, lacked a way to reflect individuality. She created ATTACH to merge beauty, functionality, and self-expression. The brand aims to empower its users, making them feel empowered, composed, and ready for anything.
Daria’s new collection combines luxurious craftsmanship with innovative functionality to transform everyday objects into confidence-boosting statements. Daria’s advice to aspiring entrepreneurs is to find a clear purpose and a story that inspires, letting it guide them through the challenges of building a meaningful business.
AUSTRALIAN COUTURE PROJECT
The Australian Couture Project is an innovative initiative that transforms luxury fashion into a force for sustainability and social good. By collecting high-end designer garments and reimagining them into exclusive lifestyle accessories such as handbags, scarves, hats, and purses, the project gives these pieces a renewed purpose. Fashion designers and students play a key role in this creative process, using their skills to craft unique, one-of-a-kind items that breathe new life into existing materials. This approach not only minimizes textile waste but also fosters a culture of sustainable fashion, challenging the traditional consumption cycle and promoting mindful, ethical style choices.
More than just a sustainability initiative, the Australian Couture Project has a profound philanthropic mission. Spearheaded by the Eyewall Foundation, the project directs all proceeds toward funding critical medical research into neurological conditions, helping drive advancements that improve lives. By intertwining fashion with charitable giving, the initiative demonstrates that luxury and compassion can go hand in hand. It offers consumers the chance to make a meaningful impact, supporting both environmental sustainability and life-changing scientific progress. Through this visionary model, the Australian Couture Project is reshaping the future of fashion by proving that style can be both responsible and transformative.
BE-DIAMOND
Nathalie, the founder of Be-diamond, is half Italian and half Belgian. After 12 years as a Boeing 757 pilot, she had to step back due to health issues. Inspired by her husband, a diamond expert, and her own passion for jewelry design, Nathalie turned her hobby into a family business. Be-diamond combines her creativity with her husband’s diamond expertise. Nathalie views jewelry design as an art form, using diamonds like a painter uses a brush. The brand specializes in natural diamonds, 18K gold, and semi-precious stones, creating minimalist, timeless pieces designed to last for generations.
For her new collection, Nathalie embraced pure minimalism while incorporating semi-precious stones for a pop of color, creating clean, innovative lines that are both modern and elegant. Nathalie’s advice to up-and-comers in the fashion industry is simple: “Believe in your dreams, no matter how crazy they may be.
FAIT MAIN HAND MADE
FAIT MAIN HAND MADE, founded by designer Joie Rosen, brings a fresh perspective to bohemian style with a refined and sophisticated touch. Specializing in handcrafted jewelry crafted from pearls and natural elements, the brand seamlessly blends organic beauty with expert craftsmanship. Each piece strikes a perfect balance between raw textures and delicate elegance, resulting in accessories that feel both luxurious and effortlessly wearable. Committed to high-quality artistry, FAIT MAIN HAND MADE ensures that every creation is one-of-a-kind, celebrating the uniqueness of hand-selected materials and intricate designs.
Grounded in the principles of slow fashion, the brand emphasizes authenticity and craftsmanship over mass production, offering jewelry that embodies individuality and artistic expression. FAIT MAIN HAND MADE captures the essence of free-spirited bohemian aesthetics while elevating them with a modern, polished sensibility. Joie Rosen’s vision is to create versatile accessories that enhance any outfit, from everyday looks to statement ensembles. By uniting nature’s finest elements with refined detailing, the brand delivers jewelry that is both effortlessly stylish and timelessly sophisticated.
IZA BY SILVIA D’AVILA
Brazilian-born designer Silvia D’Avila takes inspiration from her travels, museum visits, city strolls, and the materials she discovers during the creative process. After studying Plastic Arts in São Paulo, Silvia worked in the corporate world for almost 20 years before moving to New York, where jewelry design became her calling. Her first collection, launched in 2011, was well-received, marking the beginning of an evolving journey through different techniques and styles.
Silvia’s pieces are organic, bold, and kinetic. Aesthetically, she goes for versatility and wearability. She refers to her jewelry as ‘mini sculptures,’ with each piece being one of a kind. She primarily works with brass and copper, accented by gemstones. By employing various techniques and unique cuts, Silvia creates jewelry that exudes both elegance and modernity.
PTERA JEWELRY
Jennifer Fleites, a second-generation Cuban-American living in the Midwest, created Ptera to help women reconnect with their own magic and limitless potential. After losing both her parents at a young age, Jennifer rediscovered her inner strength and joy, which inspired her to launch the brand. Ptera synthesizes femininity, elegance, and playful nostalgia, drawing from fairytales and the belief in happily-ever-afters.
Jennifer’s latest collection, From Dusk til Dawn, symbolizes the hope she found during her darkest times. Inspired by the transition from night to day, the collection features celestial motifs and vibrant hues. Her advice to aspiring designers: Build your brand around your personal story and create with authenticity, as this will resonate with others.
SEYER
Iljana Tokouzbalidis is the founder and CEO of SEYER, a luxury handbag brand for modern business professionals. Drawing from her experience as a strategy consultant and frequent traveler, Iljana established SEYER to fill the gap in versatile, stylish business accessories. The brand merges elegance with functionality, emphasizing modular designs that adapt to the dynamic needs of today’s work life.
SEYER’s latest collection draws inspiration from the fast-paced energy of New York City, representing designs crafted from Italian leather that adapt effortlessly to any occasion. Iljana encourages future designers to take risks and trust their instincts. “Say yes to opportunities, even if you don’t have all the answers. Seek feedback, refine your vision, and be bold. Breaking the mold is essential to standing out.”
SOLOMEINA
Sisters Elizabeth and Ekaterina Solomeina are 2nd generation jewelry designers, trained under their mother, Irina, in Russia. Growing up surrounded by design, they were accepted into Yekaterinburg’s School for Prodigies at a young age. Elizabeth went on to win multiple awards for her sculpting, most notably, The National Moscow Exhibition award. By the age of 14, both sisters began freelance design work, and Elizabeth joined the renowned Art Lebedev Studio at 17.
In 2009, the sisters founded their own design company Solomeina Inc., gaining recognition with a D&AD award and a TED talk. In 2014, they launched their jewelry brand, SOLOMEINA, bringing their constructivist-inspired vision to life with designs that reflect their ideals of beauty and edge.
STOLES BY BELLA
Stoles by Bella, founded by Denise, unites Italian craftsmanship with eco-conscious design, specializing in bamboo fiber stoles and summer dusters. Each piece is crafted in Tuscany, combining timeless elegance with sustainability. The brand’s tagline, Crafted by Nature, Styled by You, reflects its mission to empower individuals with versatile, planet-friendly fashion.
The latest collection, inspired by Tuscany and iconic Italian landmarks, debuts at New York Fashion Week. Each color tells a story of Italy, from the serene blues of Capri’s skies to the elegance of Nero’s reign. Featuring breathable bamboo fibers, these pieces offer year-round style and comfort, bringing a touch of Italian heritage and modern luxury to every wardrobe.
TSmartArt x Tamika S
Founded by designer Tamika Simmons, TSmartArt x Tamika S is a creative brand that merges visual arts with fashion, skincare, and more. Rooted in artistic storytelling, the brand is driven by a team of imaginative minds—many of them left-handed creatives—who use their designs to evoke emotion, inspire healing, and bring joy. Their custom apparel is more than just clothing; it is an artistic expression that blends individuality with comfort and style. With a deep appreciation for craftsmanship, TSmartArt x Tamika S transforms everyday essentials into wearable art that resonates with those who appreciate originality and creativity.
At the heart of TSmartArt is a commitment to self-expression and quality. The brand believes that fashion should be a reflection of personality, allowing individuals to tell their stories through the pieces they wear. In addition to apparel, their expanding collection includes skincare and other thoughtfully crafted products designed to nurture both body and soul. Whether through bold designs or soothing self-care essentials, TSmartArt x Tamika S encourages people to embrace their unique identity, making every item a statement of individuality, warmth, and artistic spirit.
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