Behind the Scenes of FASHUN TWEEK 2.0, the New Platform for Experimental Design
FASHUN TWEEK is a series produced by Creative Director Phil Gomez that takes place during NYFW and showcases some of NYC’s most prominent independent and experimental designers. The first installment took place last year at Bushwick’s Alt Space (now a traveling pop up) and featured the emerging designers SAGA NY, Lactic, Something Happening, Sext Pixels, and Jahnkoy Maria.
What is your vision for Fashun Tweek? Why did you begin this series?
FASHUN TWEEK was created in September of 2015 in an effort to promote independent and experimental designers. Feeling uninspired by NYFW and the commercialized celebrity spectacle it has become, I wanted to create a platform where the main focus is the designer and their artistry. I guess you can say I wanted to bring fashion back to NYFW.
How did this year differ from last year?
Last year’s FASHUN TWEEK was in Brooklyn and we featured five amazing designers over the course of a week. I immediately saw the impact that it had not only on those who were able to experience it, but on the designers as well. NYFW is saturated with events and parties but people still chose to cross the bridge from Manhattan to come to a gallery in Brooklyn and take part of this little DIY fashion moment. That is when I realized that FASHUN TWEEK is something that the fashion world was craving. This year we partnered with Bullett magazine & Arrojo Studios in Manhattan to create FASHUN TWEEK 2.0 – same concept just a bigger stage.
How do you choose your featured designers?
Most of the designers featured during FASHUN TWEEK are designers that I’m personally inspired by – designers I feel are creating something new, designers that are not afraid of experimenting and revolutionizing a generation.
What do you think is missing from the official NYFW?
Genuineness, Inclusion, and Inspiration
Do you think the fashion industry is changing? If so, how? And where do you think it is headed?
I know it is changing. As a fashion artist all I can do is to continue to contribute to the change but it’s easier for me to see that the fashion industry is changing because I’ve lived and worked in some of the world’s most fashionably inspiring places and collaborated with some of the most beautiful personalities and innovators to see that fashion is becoming something more than just clothing. It has become a primary outlet for self expression and identity. I feel fashion will become more personal and tailored to each individual instead of the mass celebrity driven consumerisim.
Why is fashion important to you?
Fashion is important to me because it is expressive, transformative, and influential.
Phil Gomez (left) with models wearing I Still Love You NYC
