New York Fashion Week Kicks Off With Local Politicians Strutting Runway In Local Designer Outfits – Including Curtis Sliwa, Andrew Cuomo,

New York Fashion Week Kicks Off With Local Politicians Strutting Runway In Local Designer Outfits – Including Curtis Sliwa, Andrew Cuomo,

Editor’s note: Last year’s event NYFW events featured Fashion 4 Development’s Annual Sustainable Goals Banquet.  There was also a protest by PETA earlier this year at a prior NYFW event. 

Below is a slideshow of photos from the event:

We asked the following questions about the event:

I also wanted to ask if the politicians get to select the fashion they want to wear from a large rack of options or is it assigned to them or made custom for them with or without their input? 

On background, the politicians get paired up with a designer who then styles them in one of their looks. It’s a collaborative process. While some of the looks were custom, a lot of them were from the designers existing collection with elected official input. 

Are there any charities involved in this event, and if so, what are the charities and what do they do?  

On background, Witness to Mass Incarceration was our charitable partner. They help justice impacted individuals learn vocations like fashion design. Some of those individuals dressed the elected officials such as Julie Won, Eddie Gibbs, and Donovan Richards.

Below is their release about the event: 

Kicking Off New York Fashion Week, 35+ New York City Government Officials to Strut the Runway in Local Designers

In a Bipartisan Display of Support for the Fashion Industry and Small Business, Government Officials from All 5 Boroughs Will Take to the Runway

At a Time of Deep Polarization, Style Across the Aisle Offers a Refreshing Model for Civic Engagement Rooted in Unity and Creativity

Runway Sponsors Include AirBnb, AeonNexus, Cortburg Retirement Advisors, Uber, and Rethink Food

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New York, NY – On Wednesday, September 10, 2025 at 5pm at New York County Surrogate’s Court, more than 35 government officials – from both sides of the political aisle – will walk the runway in looks by 30+ local New York City designers. In a display of unity, creativity, and civic pride during New York Fashion Week and New York City election season, this year’s show will illuminate the power of fashion to inspire unity, justice, and bipartisanship on one unforgettable runway.

Wednesday, September 10, 2025 (doors open at 5pm, runway show starts at 5:30pm); New York County Surrogate’s Court, 31 Chambers Street

In attendance:

• • Former Governors Andrew Cuomo and David Patterson

  • New York State Inspector General Lucy Lang

  • Manhattan Borough President and Democratic Nominee for NYC Comptroller Mark Levine

  • Former Congresswoman Carolyn B. Maloney

  • Queens Borough President Donovan Richards

  • Assemblymembers Eddie Gibbs, Jenifer Rajkumar, Jordan Wright, and Rebecca Seawright

  • Councilmembers Julie Menin, Althea Stevens, and Julie Won

  • Mark Levine

• Mayoral Candidate Curtis Sliwa

• … and many more

Style Across the Aisle Celebrates Second Edition to Benefit WITNESS Mass Incarceration’s Art of Tailoring Program 

Elected Officials Model the Runway During NYFW, Showcasing Local New York Designers

On Wednesday, September 10th, New York Elected Officials walked in Style Across the Aisle, the annual fashion-meets-public service event where local designers style elected officials from their own communities for a bipartisan, high-impact runway experience.

Taking place at the New York County Surrogate’s Court, this year’s nonprofit partner was Witness to Mass Incarceration (WITNESS), whose Art of Tailoring program trains justice-impacted youth in fashion design and business skills. WITNESS is dedicated to fostering economic independence for formerly incarcerated, system-impacted and LGBTQ+ individuals.

The 2025 lineup consisted of 30 models including: former Governors Andrew Cuomo and David Paterson, Assemblywoman Jenifer Rajkumar, former Rep. Carolyn Maloney, NYC Council Member Erik Bottcher, and NYC Council Majority Leader Amanda Farias and Minority Leader Joann Ariola.

Style Across the Aisle founder Skye Ostreicher said, “Style Across the Aisle is about partnership and collaboration. Putting politics aside to celebrate the human qualities and creativity of New Yorkers. From small businesses to designers to corporations to the very officials who legislate and lead, these are people coming together with a shared goal and vision to collaborate and learn from one another. The amazing partnerships developed through the Style Across the Aisle community – both leading into the event, and at the event itself – are proof that our society needs more out-of-the-box collaboration and overall positivity. Across beliefs, across cultures and across the aisle.”

It was a night where politics met pure style with New York’s finest officials turning the city into one big runway, all while spotlighting incredible local designers.

The show opened with Commissioner Louis Molina, who kept it sharp in a bespoke suit by Gina Mignona of Bond & Bari. Next up was Deputy Mayor Kaz Daughtry who came through in signature swagger with a look by Signed by McFly + HEED NYC, curated by designer Mugzy McFly. Then Commissioner of Consumer and Worker Protection Vilda Vera Mayuga wowed in a sleek ensemble by Alice Franco Design.

The runway featured Commissioner of Nightlife Jeffrey Garcia turning up the edge in a look by –Cide/Mano. Former Congresswoman Carolyn Maloney exuded elegance in a piece from Karolina Zmarlak of KZ_Z Studio. Councilmember Farah Louis was next up to wow the runway.

Assemblymember Brian Cunningham teamed up with Okaigo of Sherlon Stephenson for a cool ensemble. NYC Council Member Erik Bottcher, stepped out in style thanks to designer Andy Yu. Manhattan Borough President & Comptroller Mark Levine kept it dapper in Grooms Room by Viktoria Giese, making business look very fashionable. Councilmember Keith Powers kept it cool in a design by Megan Tischauser. Councilmember Gale Brewer brought charm and class in a custom piece by designer Batsheva.

Assemblymember Rebecca Seawright dazzled in a custom creation by none other than Victor De Souza. Councilmember Julie Menin showed off sustainable fashion with flair with Kate McGuire of Converted Closet. Senator Cordell Cleare brought culture and couture together in a look by Kibonen Nfi. Assemblymember Al Taylor served elevated fashion featuring Rachel Richardson of House of Parish.

Assemblymember Jordan Wright looked sharp in a two-piece matching set by Deacon Greg of Harlem Haberdashery. Assemblymember Jodi Giglio shined in a look by Rico Clothing. Assemblymember Steve Stern added sophistication with a custom ensemble by Heidi Goldstein. Inspector General Lucy Lang also turned to Gina, rocking a tailored look from her GINA Bespoke line. County Legislator Judah Holstein stepped out in serious style, teaming up with Keith Thompson of Rex Bespoke Clothing. Councilmember Frank Morano stayed fresh in a signature fit from Tariq Zaid of Richmond Hood Company.

Councilmember Althea Stevens stunned in a vibrant creation by Lisne Bautista of Lisne Bau. Councilmember Amanda Farias dazzled in a dress by Edwin Reyes of La Sala by ER. Councilmember Kevin Riley wore a sharp fit from Rex Bespoke Clothing. Assemblymember Eddie Gibbs both brought refined flair in designs by the talented team of WITNESS’s Art of Tailoring. Councilmember Selvena Brooks-Powers brought boldness in a custom design by Ron Dyce. Councilmember Joann Ariola rocked a custom power look by Nicole Porto and Cloyette Harris Stoute of Nutral Attire + Aliyette. Assemblymember Jenifer Rajkumer radiated elegance in a custom piece by Surya Garg of Soara.

Councilmember Julie Won shined in a look by the team of WITNESS’s Art of Tailoring. Councilmember Shekar Krishnan turned heads in a custom ensemble by Veena Jayadeva of Kareena’s Closet. Queens Borough President Donovan Richards served in a blue suit from the talented Art of Tailoring team. Former Governor David Paterson looked sharp in a sleek look by Mel Maxi.

Last but not least, Former Governor Andrew Cuomo wowed the audience in his custom suit by Gina Newman of Bond & Bari Bespoke. Founder of Style Across the Aisle Skye Ostreicher closed the show with a pink matching set by Isabella Hummel of Magnifique Couleur.

Following the show, guests celebrated with a lively cocktail reception at The Balcony at Surrogate’s Court. Guests enjoyed tasty bites from Rethink Food Partners, while sipping on craft cocktails shaken up with Blue Ice Vodka, JAJA Tequila, and fine pours from the Israeli Wine Producers Association.

This year’s event was powered by an all-star lineup of partners, including Airbnb, Uber, EmblemHealth, Aeon Nexus Corporation, Rethink Food, In The Room Media, and Beauty Social Salon.

Style Across the Aisle™ is a fashion-meets-public service event where local designers style elected officials from their own communities for a bipartisan, high-impact runway experience. Created by Skye Ostreicher, the show celebrates civic pride, local entrepreneurship, and the power of fashion to connect across differences.

WITNESS builds economic independence for individuals impacted by the criminal justice system by building a hub of excellence in entrepreneurship and innovation, offering comprehensive vocational training, social enterprise solutions, and robust support systems. Their mission is to cultivate economic independence, reduce recidivism, and nurture generational wealth, while dismantling systemic barriers and advancing equality.

The Art of Tailoring is an initiative started by WITNESS in collaboration with the Queens Economic Development Corporation. It serves as a vocational fashion program that teaches system-impacted individuals how to design and make clothing to train them for fashion industry professions. Their mission is to help build generational wealth and stability through vocational training, social enterprise, and community-rooted support systems.

Banner Image: Style Across the Aisle display table at NYFW event. Image Credit – Style Across the Aisle