On Monday night at Sony Hall, Cynthia Rowley hosted her first stand-up comedy “fashion show” featuring an all-star cast of female comedians — Nikki Glaser, Rachel Feinstein, Arden Myrin, Rosebud Baker, Claudia Oshry, Ego Nwodim and Michelle Buteau — with host of the evening, Esther Ku, and DJ Rachel Winters.
Last summer, Rowley held a stand-up comedy night featuring Seth Herzog and Heidi Garner at her Montauk, New York, store, which influenced the designer to bring her longstanding dream of hosting her favorite ladies on one stage (with help from Herzog, who chose the lineup) during New York Fashion Week.
For the upbeat event, Rowley designed fall collection looks rooted in her brand’s optimistic, feminine DNA for each comedian.
“When you’re designing a collection, it’s all about one message, but the goal here was to dress each strong woman’s personality and make them feel comfortable on stage. These women work so hard, go out there and basically bare their souls. I think in the same way comedy can give you confidence, so can the clothes when you have them on and feel good. It’s a win-win — two worlds that both have the same goals,” Rowley said post-show.
For instance, Ku in a pastel micro paillette tank with macro paillette mini skirt; Glaser and Myrin in varying bright red scuba-looking outfits; Feinstein in a cropped and striped rugby top and high-low skirt; Baker in a tiered fluid top with 3D floral applique and silver bell bottoms; Oshry in a silky dark floral wrap set; Nwodim in a stellar boxy bright blue suit atop a micro silver bra top, and Buteau in a sheer floral, belted frock.
While the focus of the night was all about escaping the current state of the world and having a good laugh (there were plenty), Rowley’s joyful designs added to the positive energy.
“Happy clothes, happy women, happy crowd. Fashion can bring joy, and that’s always been my goal.”
