Young Designer Brings Fantasy to Fashion Week

Andrew Curwen elevates to the NYFW calendar with his subversive tailoring and exaggerated silhouettes.

Published on Feb. 16, 2026

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Andrew Curwen, a 30-year-old designer, is making his debut on the official New York Fashion Week calendar with his collection "Nocturnal Conditions" that explores subcultures and the after-hours. Curwen's work features exaggerated corsets, distorted tailoring, and voluminous silhouettes, diverging from the legacy of American sportswear that dominates the New York fashion scene. Despite a last-minute venue change, Curwen and his team have rallied to deliver a show that promises to bring a sense of fantasy and artistry to the fashion week lineup.

Why it matters

Curwen's inclusion on the NYFW calendar represents a shift towards more independent and experimental voices in the New York fashion landscape, which has traditionally been dominated by legacy brands and a focus on wearability. His work challenges the stereotypes of New York fashion, bringing a more conceptual and theatrical approach that is more commonly associated with European fashion weeks.

The details

Curwen's first NYFW collection, "Nocturnal Conditions," will feature ultra-cinched corsetry, voluminous bustles, and exaggerated sleeves, subverting traditional tailoring archetypes. The designer is particularly excited about using an intense midnight green shade that appears black unless in direct sunlight. Curwen has also invested heavily in shoulder pads this season, as he sees them as a simple way to play with silhouette, along with his exploration of corsetry and tailoring.

  • Curwen presented a collection of 11 looks last summer in Bushwick.
  • Curwen's NYFW show is scheduled for 9:00 p.m. tonight.

The players

Andrew Curwen

A 30-year-old designer making his debut on the official New York Fashion Week calendar with his collection "Nocturnal Conditions" that explores subcultures and the after-hours.

Jane Wade

A designer and mentor to Curwen.

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What they’re saying

“It's a really beautiful thing to see your team mobilize and come together. As stuff starts getting finalized and the vision starts coming to fruition, you're like, 'This is why we do the work.' The hardest moments are the most rewarding.”

— Andrew Curwen, Designer (Harper's Bazaar)

“I feel like it's important for more young designers and more independent designers to be on the New York fashion calendar. I think globally, New York Fashion Week is very much seen as the heavy-hitting moneymakers. It doesn't leave much room for a lot of the beautiful creativity that exists not just in New York City, but among brands that fly in to show here, the American creative voices.”

— Andrew Curwen, Designer (Harper's Bazaar)

What’s next

Curwen's NYFW show is scheduled for 9:00 p.m. tonight, where he will present his "Nocturnal Conditions" collection.

The takeaway

Curwen's inclusion on the NYFW calendar represents a shift towards more independent and experimental voices in the New York fashion landscape, challenging the traditional focus on wearability and American sportswear. His work brings a sense of fantasy and artistry that is more commonly associated with European fashion weeks, elevating the creativity and diversity of the New York fashion scene.