Fashion-forward Brooklynites, this is your moment. Borough President Antonio Reynoso and KidSuper founder Colm Dillane are teaming up to give five emerging designers a chance to show their collections during New York Fashion Week this fall and the runway is set inside Brooklyn Borough Hall.
Applications are now open through July 6 at 11:59 p.m., and winners will be notified the week of July 18. Each of the five selected designers will receive a $5,000 grant, mentorship from Dillane, and a coveted slot in the NYFW event.
Collections must be runway-ready 15 days before the show. Applicants must be Brooklyn residents aged 18 or older.
While the grant helps cover costs, designers are responsible for producing their own garments. The borough president’s office will handle all event logistics, including models, makeup, styling, photography, videography, and full-scale runway production — complete with lights, music, and stage design.
This fashion show is part of the Arts Ambassador Initiative, launched during Reynoso’s 2025 State of the Borough address. The initiative aims to nurture Brooklyn’s vibrant creative scene by mentoring new artists, connecting them to cultural institutions, and amplifying their work to the public.
“From streetwear in Bed-Stuy to bridal boutiques in Bay Ridge, people from all over the world come to Brooklyn for the fashion and style that originates here,” Reynoso said. Adding that it’s very hard for young and aspiring designers to “get their foot in the door” in the fashion industry. This fashion show will give those designers that opportunity.
Dillane, the borough’s inaugural Arts Ambassador, is no stranger to the international fashion world. He’s the creative mind behind KidSuper, a brand that fuses art, clothing, and community.
In 2021, he won the prestigious Karl Lagerfeld Prize, guest-designed Louis Vuitton’s 2023 men’s collection, and has worked with brands like PUMA and the Brooklyn Nets.
“Brooklyn is home – and no two blocks ever look the same. You’ve got skaters weaving past strollers, old-school locals trading stories, and kids in head-to-toe looks; they definitely styled themselves,” Dillane said. “I’m excited to help guide these young creatives as they shape their own version of what Brooklyn looks like now.”
Designers interested in applying should visit Brooklyn Borough Hall’s website for more details on submission guidelines and eligibility.