Sitting First Row in Second Row

By Ella Ferrero

Photos by @maya.s.photos, @ohthatsnatalie, @zoraya.moon, and @emirosephoto on Instagram

Before November 2nd, the only fashion show I had been to was a fashion week popup in Soho. I chanced upon it outside of a crowded Second Street, waiting for a clothing swap, which turned out to be a minion T-shirt giveaway-turned-mob infested by TikTok fashion prophets. Major flop.

Pratt students have undeniably-privileged access to the fashion world, either through professor nepotism or having cool friends, yet this sometimes does not ring true for those outside of fashion programs and further outside of institutions. Most of the fashion knowledge I have is inherited from my friend Ava, who was the first to introduce me to Victoria’s Secret Gold Label.

I was invited to the premiere of Second Row and appeared with a notebook and a pen stuck in my boot. Second Row is best described as a fashion collective that curates, orchestrates, and delivers free fashion shows to support New York designers. Originally founded by New School Alumni, Second Row has close ties to the Lang building on The New School campus, which was

the setting for their inaugural show.

While waiting for Nora to bring a camcorder from the library, I sat down with Benedetta Pizzi. When asked about the genesis of the Second Row collective, Pizzi replied: “Second row started because I wanted to include everyone who wasn’t included in the first row.” Pizzi is the Executive Director and Co-Creative Director of Second Row.

Some notable looks were—a sex pistols print superimposed onto a dress-shirt, a large black-tulle skirt that could be an incredible funeral look for a spiteful widow, several fully-denim get-ups, and a scalloped, white dress jacket with a dynamic construction. The looks themselves varied widely in material, shape, and aesthetic. There was no overarching theme, which makes sense for the first of many accessible fashion shows. In the future, I would prefer a themed show to give the show more cohesion. Something like “Deconstruction” or

“AITA Subreddit” etc.

My favorite look was undoubtedly the last—a large, sweeping sweater with a terrain of its own, complete with metal accessories and torn edges. When the model opened the cardigan and let it flow behind them, the ripples and flow of the torn edges danced in the wind. It was mesmerizing.

@maya.s.photos on Instagram

What most of us love about New York is the bottomless treasure trove of creative work that can be stumbled upon. Fashion is a medium found everywhere, yet we tune into runways to access a cultural prophecy. Second Row is advancing the legitimacy of our peers and uplifting creatives to understand the mechanics of production.

The important question is this: how can we get involved? Aanya Singh says: “follow us on Instagram @secondrow ... and make sure to check your email!” It is as easy as that. Second Row is looking for designers, creative directors, and all interested in the mechanics of the fashion show. Finished collections not needed.

Thank you to Alexander Pidzamecky for the invite, Benedetta Pizzi and Aanya Signh for the interviews, and all other members of Second Row for making it happen. Thank you to Nora Mayers for being my press assistant and for recommending “Ten Girls” by Circe for the video available on our instagram and website!

 @ohthatsnatalie on Instagram

@zoraya.moon on Instagram

@emirosephoto on Instagram