NYFW: The Revolution Continues

NEW YORK, Jan. 19, 2016 /PRNewswire/ -- "Ch-ch-changes" indeed. (With a loving nod to Bowie.) Even VOGUE recently had to admit that a "revolution" is on in fashion. "Inclusivity" is the watchword, with an emphasis on being true to yourself. It's a trend fueled by a new sense of acceptance, culturally led by everyone from Amy Schumer to Caitlyn Jenner to super-blogs like Man Repeller … all "disruptors" who -- one way or another -- have been posing a potent challenge to the status quo.

Photo - http://photos.prnewswire.com/prnh/20160118/323307
Photo - http://photos.prnewswire.com/prnh/20160118/323308

THE REVOLUTION: FROM MODELS WITH DOWN'S SYNDROME TO BODY ACCEPTANCE

The trend has come to fashion in a big way: This the era of your style. Your look. Your body type. Even, your "disability."

At the forefront of this ideal is FTL Moda – which turns 10 in 2016 – one of the most acclaimed platforms for SS16, featuring models such as Madeline Stuart, the model with Down's Syndrome, Jack Eyers, nominated Man of the Year by Men's Health Magazine, Rebekah Marine, the bionic model, and Shaholly Ayers the first model to walk in NYFW without a prosthesis.

Shaholly -- a congenital amputee -- suffered horrible bullying when she was a child. At age 18 she left her native Ohio to become a role model for the many who would have never believed they had a shot in the industry. She is also a 2016 brand ambassador for Global Disability Inclusion, who has partnered with FTL Moda for the past two years to bring disability to NYFW. Shaholly's journey has been shaped by this partnership and she has modeled in New York and Milan Fashion Week, as well as for Nordstrom and Wilhelmina.

These models have already paraded to showcase emerging and established international designers to general applause and industry appreciation, garnering press in everything from Vogue Italia to US Magazine to Cosmopolitan to E! Online, Today.com … among many others.

FTL Moda is preparing for its FW2016 runway presentation of international designers at New York Fashion Week on February 15th.

EVOLUTIONS AND PARTNERSHIPS

FTL Moda has moved to a new showroom in a 30,000 square foot open space inside the iconic Art Deco 530 Seventh Avenue building, located in New York's Midtown Fashion District, home to many of the world's most cutting-edge contemporary labels.

They've also created a new and exciting partnership with Fashion Week Online (FWO), the world's leading platform for watching fashion week online, with year-round fashion coverage.

"A revolution is happening in fashion," said FWO publisher Pablo Van Arsdalen. "The industry has been embracing a new sense of inclusiveness, on and off the runway. Not only is the industry redefining ideas about what constitutes 'beauty' -- seeking to broaden the definition in every sense -- it's also seeking to destroy the concept of 'otherness.' The true pain of 'disability' is not the disability itself: it's the social isolation that often occurs. FTL MODA has been leading the charge in normalizing what has frequently been unnecessarily isolating.

"There is, perhaps, no nobler, better, or more exciting time to be involved in fashion, and FTL MODA is a big part of this larger movement. Here at Fashion Week Online, we couldn't be prouder to be partnering with them."

The new showroom will act as a hub for several exciting new initiatives to broaden inclusiveness in fashion, and bring new avenues of opportunity for emerging designers.

ABOUT FTL MODA: CELEBRATING 10 YEARS

FTL MODA's FW2016 presentation at NYFW will also mark its 10 year anniversary. The platform, founded and produced by Ilaria Niccolini Productions, celebrates its milestone with a calendar full of prestigious activations and very significant alliances.

Renewing its partnership with Global Disability Inclusion, FTL MODA continues its commitment to push boundaries and remove stereotypes in the fashion industry.

#IAmNYFW EVENT

The first appointment to highlight the debut of the New York showroom -- as well as FTL MODA's presentations of Fall Winter 2016 -- will be realized in partnership with Carlsberg Italia, introducing the Birrificio Angelo Poretti label to the US market.

The Angelo Poretti campaign, with Rebekah Marine as its protagonist, will be unveiled at the hashtag-driven “#IAmNYFW” pre-show launch event, on February 13^th, to be attended by Shaholly Ayers and Rebekah Marine.

The event will be held at 530 Seventh Ave, Mezzanine Floor, at the new FTL Moda headquarters.

Visit: 
FTL Moda / ftlmoda.com 
Fashion Week Online / fashionweekonline.com 
New York Fashion Week Schedule / fashionweekonline.com/new-york/schedule

For information, interviews and details, contact: 
Email 
Steve H, +1.786.232.8949

RSVP to the Carlsberg "#IAmNYFW" Pre-Show Launch Event 
Email

SOURCE FTL Moda