# Collina Strada's bold move divides fashion week

> Hillary Taymour stages the first fashion show at Storm King Art Center, sparking debate about accessibility and ambition in New York Fashion Week.
- Title: Collina Strada's bold move divides fashion week · Vanity Fair
- Summary: Hillary Taymour stages the first fashion show at Storm King Art Center, sparking debate about accessibility and ambition in New York Fashion Week…
- Keywords: collina strada, hillary taymour, storm king art center, new york fashion week, runway show, independent fashion, fashion venue, carly rae jepsen, fashion criticism, designer ambition, Collina, Strada's
- Source: Vanity Fair — https://vanityfair.com/story/new-york-fashion-week-collina-strada-storm-king
- Author: José Criales-Unzueta
- Published: 2026-09-17T23:20:31.912+00:00
- Read time: 1 min
- Topics: collina strada, hillary taymour, storm king art center, new york fashion week, runway show, independent fashion, fashion venue, carly rae jepsen, fashion criticism, designer ambition
## First fashion show at Storm King
Hillary Taymour of indie label Collina Strada became the first fashion designer to stage a runway show at the Storm King Art Center, a museum nearly two hours from Manhattan.

> I couldn't say no.
## The location created a conflict
Many senior fashion editors and retailers skipped the Tuesday afternoon show because the outdoor museum location was too far from Manhattan, forcing them to miss other shows that day.
## Taymour defended her timing choice
Critics said she should have scheduled outside Fashion Week to avoid conflicts, but Taymour argued the timing didn't matter. Storm King needed the show to happen during Fashion Week for institutional credibility.

> People would've told me they had dentist appointments or meetings.
## The show itself was a triumph
Carly Rae Jepsen surprised the audience with a performance, and models ran into a meadow toward a Calder sculpture, turning the show into an impromptu dance party that attendees loved.

> I have never been at a fashion show where everyone's in a good mood.
## Over 400 people showed up
The show attracted more than 400 attendees, including fashion students and industry figures, making it Taymour's most successful world-building exercise to date.
## Taymour wants to keep taking risks
Despite the pushback, Taymour says she feels pressure to do bigger and better work. She wants to keep creating moments that excite people, even when it means facing criticism.

> I want to keep creating moments that make people excited.
## Key takeaway

Independent designers face criticism when they take creative risks, but those risks can create unforgettable moments that resonate beyond the traditional fashion industry.