By Sandy Cohen Alpert (@littlemiss.sandy) and Alisha Litt (@alisha.litt)
On February 8th, the Authentic Roz’ fashion show took place in the stunning Prince George Ballroom during New York Fashion Week. The grandeur of the venue set the perfect stage for an evening of artistry and innovation. I had the pleasure of attending alongside my fashion colleague, Alisha Litt, and we were fortunate to have front-row seats—complete with thoughtful gift bags. Each seat held hair care samples from "Bhave Australia" and a personal note from the designer, accompanied by a small textile swatch from the collection, a beautiful touch that added to the intimate experience.
As the show began, 24 models - in Roz’ looks - took to the runway, their faces adorned with intricate spiderweb-like hair designs reminiscent of a Jean Paul Gaultier runway show. Each model showcased a unique ensemble crafted from a mix of leather, sweat-pant material, and suede in a striking burnt orange color-way—an effortless complement to the warm hues of the ballroom.
Following the show, Alisha and I had the opportunity to interview the mind behind Authentic Roz’ creation, designer Rayane Alami. Despite the growing line of reporters eager to speak with him, he remained poised and humble. Keeping our conversation concise, I started with the most obvious question:
What was your inspiration for this collection?
Rayane Alami: "The kind of psychology behind it—there is an evolution of psychology called 'Devil of Societal Norms,' and being able to work efficiently while being different. That concept inspired me and set the pace for the collection. It’s dramatic yet presentable, allowing me to express myself professionally. That’s something that really speaks to me."
Curious about his journey, I asked when he started designing.
"About three to four years ago. At first, I didn’t really have the time to fully invest in it, but after finishing college, I was finally able to focus on it."
I couldn’t help but be impressed by his swift rise in the industry. "Three to four years isn’t a long time to go from starting out to having a collection walk in NYFW—that’s an incredible turnaround," I thought to myself.
Wanting to delve deeper into his philosophy, I asked: How do you think fashion helps shape someone’s self-identity?
Rayane Alami: "I think the most beautiful words are the ones that are unspoken. In fashion, you can really take advantage of that. Even as a shy person, you can use clothing as a form of expression."
When asked what he wanted people to feel when wearing his collection, he answered with: "I want them to feel powerful, composed, unique, and perfectly different from others."
As I glanced back at the eager reporters waiting their turn, I wrapped up our conversation with one final question: Which piece from your collection feels the most personal to you?
Lami: "There’s a piece in all white that we don’t have a name for yet, but I call it after my brother. He passed away, and I constantly find inspiration in his image. To me, he is a representation of an angel."
Authentic Roz’ has certainly made a powerful statement at NYFW and we are excited to see what the future holds for them.
