Phil Osae

During New York Fashion Week in early February, TCC Entertainment had the pleasure of connecting with Midnight Runway co-founders Manna and Mo, coordinating a partnership for their highly-anticipated Season 3 showcase on March 1st. Midnight Runway has quickly emerged as a premier hub of avant-garde fashion in NYC, featuring innovative designers who seamlessly blend reality with fantasy. We were granted insider access to the inspirations driving Manna, Mo, and their visionary designers. From the striking runway to the afterparty's fusion of fashion, music, and vibrant atmosphere, Midnight Runway S3 redefined the boundaries of the fashion experience. Our exclusive behind-the-scenes glimpse reveals the dynamic artistic visions brought to life.

Dopl.World in collaboration with Alex Yarally. Photo: @migi.pics | Model: @aislinfreyapax | Makeup: @makeupbyani.2 | Hair: @andreasalivaa

As the driving forces behind Midnight Runway, Manna and Mo share their insights into the creative direction of their Season 3 runway.

WHAT WAS THE VISION AND INSPIRATION THAT DROVE THE OVERALL CREATIVE DIRECTION OF MIDNIGHT RUNWAY S3?

“Futuristic cooler tones, iridescent colors, and digital textures make me so happy. But in terms of creative direction, we really want to cultivate a space with a lot of chaotic creative energy, so we like to find designers with almost polarized styles and exhibit looks that are conceptual rather than ready-to-wear. The runway itself for season 3 was inspired by Icelandic artist Olafur Eliasson, whom I've been obsessed with since I went to his 2019 show at Tate Modern. We were so happy with how the RGB lights created white light but cast colorful neon shadows, which made the space look to have a digital glitch filter.” - Manna

“We always like to focus more on artistic design, and we always have a preference for curating designers who aesthetically stand apart from each other on the runway. However, I think another aspect that came to the forefront this time is almost this common thread of the unreal becoming reality. Between Yu Gong’s Phygital Uniform collection, which started as virtual fashion and the idea of “avatars”, to Sandy Chen who prefers a dream or nightmare vibe, to Shilaken whose models embodied “monsters” wearing furs and the like, and Dopl.World with Alex Yarally resurrecting an ethereal but vintage-inspired aesthetic. As for Midnight Runway, we’re all about inspiring the future, and I think all our designers really exemplified that.” - Mo

REFLECTING ON THE EVENT, WHAT ASPECTS OF THE EXECUTION AND AUDIENCE EXPERIENCE ARE YOU MOST PROUD OF?

“As I mentioned, we were incredibly pleased with the lights and the turnout! We were also immensely proud of every look, which was the result of the hard work of many people, making it very heartwarming. There wasn't much greenroom space, so the audience could see some of the models and designers getting ready behind the panel just before the show. We actually liked this because it humanizes the designers and models, unlike normal runway shows where models act as - to a certain extent - deindividualized commercial mannequins. Designers also appear to effortlessly produce beautiful designs, whereas in reality, months of hard work and sleepless nights go into it. Therefore, I think the visibility added to the sense of emerging creativity and community.” - Manna

“This round, we were definitely proud of every single look that walked. For rounds 1 and 2, we didn’t really have a hair and makeup team, so we were happy to see the designers' vision come fully to life this time! As for setup, there were definitely some happy accidents that happened to be really on-brand for us. Like Manna mentioned, our green room ended up being too small, so our designers had to get ready with limited space that ended up bleeding into the crowd’s field of vision. We really love bringing the audience into the process and love to blur the lines between the party and the fashion. We encourage the models to mingle with the audience before and after the show so they can really see all the details up close and get personal. I think it really adds to the accessibility and inspiration that aspiring creatives can harvest, seeing what goes into it and the physicality of it all. Like it’s not just a faraway dream when it’s right in front of you, it just requires hard work and a vision.” - Mo

Midnight Runway S3 presented a diverse mix of designers, featuring Dopl.World by Selena Norman in collaboration with Alex Yarally, SHILAKEN, Sandy Chen, and YUG Studio by Yu Gong. Explore the narratives behind their collections as we dive deeper into their creative processes.

YUGSTUDIO: WHAT STORY OR CENTRAL CONCEPT WERE YOU AIMING TO EXPRESS THROUGH THE DESIGNS, TEXTILES, AND STYLING IN YOUR DESIGN COLLECTION?

"PHYGITAL UNIFORM" transcends the boundaries separating digital and physical fashion, offering extraordinary digital encounters designed for collection and exchange. The brand's mission is to redefine the limits of fashion, envisioning it as an encounter that extends into the tangible realm.

Yu Gong, a multimedia fashion designer in New York City, aims to bridge the gap between the physical and digital realms using fashion as her medium. She blends traditional garment construction and 3D modeling to explore her creative passions, collaborating across disciplines with new materials, technology, and multimedia presentations.

YUGSTUDIO. Photo: @ziyangphoto | Models (left to right): @dondr333, @cairojerrell, @papagahey, @_madisonedwards, @jacqkke_, @ejamiej | Makeup: @qiu.xiyuu, @ghaniashuaibt, @miraccosmetics, @maddiegoodebeauty, @makeupbyani.2 | Hair: @andreasalivaa, @alvinyungg

SHILAKEN: WALK US THROUGH YOUR CREATIVE PROCESS FROM INITIAL INSPIRATION TO FINALIZING THE PIECES THAT HIT THE MIDNIGHT RUNWAY.

“When it came to initial inspiration, all I knew for sure was that I had to have some type of fur on the runway! Something that gives off a creature-of-the-night vibe, like Midnight Runway! I wanted to showcase the versatility of my brand with this show, so I took the angle of showcasing the materials I work with, along with something I haven’t really done before, like the trench coat and hat. Leading up to the show, I just kept trying to get into this midnight runway vibe and see which pieces spoke to me to go on the runway, especially with only 5 looks. I wanted to give prime Shilaken, which is... unpredictability!” - SHILAKEN

SANDY CHEN: HOW DID IT FEEL TO BRING YOUR ARTISTIC VISION TO LIFE AND SEE YOUR COLLECTION WORN ON THAT RUNWAY?

“It is truly a pleasure to see how my imaginary world's vision comes true and becomes tangible. In the future, I'll try to push the boundaries between imagination and reality, expressing my visions through my design works.” - Sandy Chen

Sandy Chen. Photo: @migi.pics | Models (left to right): @katherine.ma1717, @sofiaquezaire, @gracemhann, @yeni.walker, @haniyyahdixon | Makeup: @makeupbyani, @miraccosmetics, @_qiuxiyu, @maddiegoodebeauty | Hair: @totanakagawa, @andreasalivaa, @a.i.ngelhair, @sandychenshandi, @alvinyungg

With the runway show coming to a close, the excitement continued to pulse through the venue with the anticipation of the afterparty. Far more than just a post-show celebration, it was a strategically crafted extension of the event's commitment to fostering connections within the creative community.

WHAT WAS THE OVERALL VISION AND EXECUTION FOR THE AFTERPARTY EXPERIENCE IN TERMS OF ATMOSPHERE, MUSIC, AMENITIES, AND OPPORTUNITIES FOR THE CREATIVE COMMUNITY TO CONNECT - ALL WHILE FOSTERING A CELEBRATORY VIBE THAT COMPLEMENTED THE ENERGY OF THE RUNWAY SHOW ITSELF?

“We really wanted to do something different and create an atmosphere for creatives to meet each other that would also facilitate getting to know the team. Like I said, we love having the audience as part of the process, and we really want not just the models and designers but also the makeup, hair, and volunteer team to mingle and celebrate the work and dedication they've put in. We've seen a lot of connections come out of the event in the past, leading to some great collaborations. As for music, we like to bring in DJs who we believe are ushering in the future of sound and vibes. They spin genres that are Manna’s and my favorites, which always gives us something to look forward to once the chaos of setup finishes and the runway comes to a close. This time around, our DJs actually wore pieces from the designers who were walking that night, which was really great to see! We could tell they were equally as excited as us to be part of the project. In the future, we'll be experimenting with ways we can further involve the audience in the experience and how to make them part of the runway more. Overall, though, we just want people to dance and have a good time before and after the show.” - Mo

“There are SO MANY events in New York City, but the only way to stand out is to be unique – so we decided to integrate runways into nightlife. I think it's a fresh, more casual, and more fun take on runway and nightlife culture.” - Manna

Midnight Runway's Season 3 was more than just a fashion show; it was a celebration of creativity, imagination, and boundary-pushing design. Under the visionary leadership of Manna and Mo, the event not only exceeded expectations but also redefined the fashion experience for a new generation, establishing itself as a home for avant-garde expression in the heart of New York City. From the electric runway to the vibrant afterparty, every aspect of the showcase was carefully curated to promote innovation and collaboration. The diverse mix of designers, models, makeup artists, and hairstylists displayed a wide range of artistic visions, driving the industry forward. As the curtains closed on another successful season, Midnight Runway left a lasting impression on the fashion landscape, inspiring both seasoned industry professionals and aspiring creatives alike explore the outer limits of their craft.