Brooklyn fashion enthusiasts, get your sketch pads and sewing machines ready: Borough President Antonio Reynoso and Arts Ambassador Colm Dillane of KidSuper are seeking five emerging designers to showcase their couture at a full-service fashion show during New York Fashion Week this fall at Brooklyn Borough Hall.
The call for applications is open now and closes July 6 at 11:59 p.m. Winners will be notified the week of July 18. Collections must be runway-ready 15 days before the show.
Applicants must be 18 or older and Brooklyn residents to qualify. Each selected designer will receive a $5,000 grant to help cover expenses and mentorship opportunities with Dillane. The borough president’s office will not provide materials, tools or professional assistance for garment construction. However, Reynoso and his team will manage all logistics, including models, hair and makeup, styling, photography, videography, backstage setup and the runway — complete with lighting, sound, music and stage design.
The fashion show is part of Reynoso’s Arts Ambassador Initiative, announced during his 2025 Brooklyn State of the Borough address. The program celebrates and supports the borough’s vibrant creative community, provides mentorship for emerging Brooklyn artists, strengthens connections between creatives and cultural institutions, and expands public engagement with the arts.
From streetwear in Bed-Stuy to bridal boutiques in Bay Ridge, Reynoso said people from all over the world come to Brooklyn for the fashion and style that originates there.
The beep acknowledged that it has become nearly impossible for young and aspiring artists to “get their foot in the door” in the fashion industry. He said the fashion show offers emerging designers a chance to showcase bold and expressive styles rooted in the borough’s diverse culture.
“But a bet on Brooklyn is never lost – and inaugural Arts Ambassador Colm Dillane knows that firsthand,” Reynoso said. “I’m so grateful for Colm’s partnership as we build an artist network based on mentorship, opportunity, and excellence, and I can’t wait to see the work Brooklyn’s up-and-coming designers have to show.”
Brooklyn’s first-ever arts ambassador, Colm Dillane, is the creative force behind KidSuper, a borough-based brand known for its clothing, art and community-focused approach. In 2021, he received the prestigious Karl Lagerfeld Prize, guest-designed Louis Vuitton’s 2023 Autumn/Winter menswear collection, and has collaborated with major brands including the Brooklyn Nets and PUMA.
“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. That kind of unfiltered, everyday expression keeps me inspired,” Dillane said. “I’m excited to help guide these young creatives as they shape their ownversion of what Brooklyn looks like now.”
For more information about the contest and how to enter, visit the Beep’s website.
