Fashion, Travel, and Tradition: Experiencing International Heritage Fashion Week at NYFW

Heart Of Hollywood Team
Oct 2
3 min read

By Donna Wilson,

Fashion Week has always been more than runway shows for me. It’s about travel, exploring venues, discovering new food spots, finding inspiration in the creativity of designers and connect with the causes and charities that fashion often champions. This year, my return to New York Fashion Week began with a last-minute assignment that led me straight into the heart of Art Hearts Fashion at the Angel Orensanz Foundation.

Photo Credit: Courtesy Donna Wilson Photography

Fashion Week is also where I refine my craft as a photographer, practicing everything from runway captures to headshots.

This September marked my long-awaited return to New York Fashion Week. With a last-minute assignment in hand, I set out to see what would capture my attention. While the schedule boasted an overwhelming number of shows, I chose to immerse myself entirely in Art Hearts Fashion’s productions from September 11–14, 2025 — one of the week’s most dynamic producers.

The Venue: Angel Orensanz FoundationThe setting alone was unforgettable. Tucked into Manhattan’s Lower East Side at 172 Norfolk Street, the Angel Orensanz Foundation is a landmark unlike any other. Designated a New York City Historic Landmark in 1987, the building has a rich and layered history.

Originally built in 1849 as a synagogue for Congregation Ansche Chesed and designed by architect Alexander Saeltzer, the Gothic Revival structure fell into disrepair after its last congregation dispersed in 1974. Abandoned and vandalized, the building seemed destined for decline — until 1986, when Spanish sculptor and painter Ángel Orensanz purchased it. He restored its vaulted ceilings and soaring arches, transforming it into both his personal studio and a nonprofit cultural foundation. Today, the space hosts art exhibitions, lectures, weddings, performances, and of course, fashion shows.

Stepping inside, with its vast open hall and balcony overlooking the runway, it’s easy to see why this venue has become a favorite stage for New York Fashion Week.

Opening Night: International Heritage Fashion WeekThe first show of the week set the tone for something extraordinary. International Heritage Fashion Week (IHFW) Season 4, produced in partnership with Art Hearts Fashion, is a global platform dedicated to designers from diverse cultural backgrounds. Its mission is clear: to celebrate heritage through fashion, promoting diversity, inclusivity, and sustainability.

This season’s theme — “Elevate Fashion. Define the Future.” — was embodied in every collection. Hosted by His Highness Prince Mario-Max Schaumburg-Lippe and founded by designer-producer Prashant Goyal, the evening unfolded as a dialogue between tradition and modernity.

Designers drew deeply from their roots while reimagining them for today’s couture stage. Daniel & Co. Boutique showcased Spanish-inspired gowns with layers of silk, tulle, and Chantilly lace. Heritage India Fashions, Goyal’s own label, presented blush and ivory florals hand-embroidered by master artisans. Elfidas Atelier wowed the audience with globally influenced opera coats, kimono-inspired silhouettes, and gender-neutral capes fit for a new era of luxury.

Tradition Meets InnovationAs the final looks swept the runway beneath the Angel Orensanz arches, the night underscored IHFW’s purpose: heritage is not a relic of the past but the fabric of fashion’s future. Each designer demonstrated how culture can evolve into couture without losing its roots.

More than a fashion show, IHFW Season 4 was a statement — proving that when tradition meets innovation, the result is not only beautiful but enduring.