New York Fashion Week’s springboard for fresh fashion talent, VFILES Runway, is giving the winners of its crowd-sourced show far more than just a chance to get their pieces paraded in front of Kylie Jenner. The global youth community has just announced a stacked lineup of mentors for the seventh season of its runway show — including 90s catwalk queen Naomi Campbell and lovable Atlanta rapper Young Thug/No, My Name Is Jeffery. Naomi and Thugger will be joined by fellow spring/summer 17 gurus Mel Ottenberg (Rihanna’s stylist and fashion director of 032c), makeup legend Pat McGrath, and Fear of God designer Jerry Lorenzo. Ottenberg has played mentor to many previous VFILES competition winners, while Lorenzo recently brought Bieber fever to the brand’s Soho retail store via a collaboration with the Biebs on his Purpose Tour pop-up. The mentors will work with the VFILES team to advice this year’s designers on everything from models and makeup to photographers and stylists.
Previous VFILES Runway alums have gone on to receive coveted industry accolades from LVMH and the CFDA, and get their clothes seen on celebrities including Future, Bieber, Rihanna, Kylie Jenner, and Beyoncé. King Kylie was spotted front row last season to support her boyfriend Tyga’s surprise performance, while Riri has been seen in fresh-off-the-runway threads from past VFILES winners including Julia Seemann and Hyein Seo. Stay tuned to learn which lucky designers will be receiving the tutelage of Naomi, Thugger, and Mel.
Related links: Rihanna’s most major fashion week looks
Credits
Text Hannah Ongley
Photography Nick Knight