Attention emerging fashion designers in Brooklyn! If you've always dreamed of seeing your work strutting the legendary runways of New York Fashion Week, a major opportunity is right on the horizon with the return of the People's Runway.
If you're not familiar, the People's Runway is a fashion show presented by KidSuper founder Colm Dillane, in partnership with Brooklyn Borough President Antonio Reynoso, dedicated to celebrating the talents of up-and-coming Brooklyn designers on one of the world's most high-profile stages. As Vogue reported last year, the inaugural show in 2025 featured a star-studded front row, including Lauryn Hill, Busta Rhymes, Ne-Yo, and A$AP Ferg, with Dillane playing the role of mentor to the young designers—helping to elevate their skills, promote their artistry, and give them a broader platform to share their work. (Last year's lineup included work from designers Kent Anthony, Daveed Baptiste, Rojin Jung, Ahmrii Lorraine, and Shriya Myneni, who each presented five looks during the show.)
The next installment of the People's Runway will take place in September alongside the traditional kickoff of Fashion Month: New York Fashion Week. This, of course, means that submissions are open to designers for a (very) limited time. The People's Runway team is looking for fashion designers ages 18 and older who are based in Brooklyn and available between July 27 to early September to participate in prep and the final runway show. The selected designers will receive a $5,000 grant plus special mentorship opportunities with people in the fashion industry.
If you're interested, you can apply online—but submissions close July 5, so you gotta act fast! Who knows, you may be just weeks away from watching something you made captivate the crowd at Brooklyn Borough Hall.
