Polish fashion had its major moment overseas – the very first Polish-American Fashion Week took place between September 8th and September 11th in New York City. Three designers – Viola Śpiechowicz, MIA, and Paprocki&Brzozowski presented their Spring/Summer 2016 collections on a catwalk in the New Museum in Lower East Side neighborhood of Manhattan
How did it happen?
All thanks to the artistic genius of Alexandra Borowczak, the founder of The Polish-American Fashion Foundation (“PAFF”), who made her dreams come true, and introduced Polish fashion to a sophisticated audience of American fashion capital.
PAFF’s vision
The Polish-American Fashion Foundation hopes to promote Polish talents and expand the future of Polish fashion both in Poland and abroad. Its goal is to support Polish designers in achieving international success. PAFF is a perfect example of how active Poles abroad are, especially in the creative industry. Alexandra Borowczak is the founder of PAFF, who shortly after graduating from Poznan University of Technology with a degree in Architecture, immigrated to the United States. Borowczak has a unique aesthetic and her critical eye can bring to light real gemstones among designers. She told me her story why she has such an extraordinary design sense. It is all because of her mother, who always dressed exquisitely. Borowczak herself has a fabulous taste, and always looks stylish.
PAFF’s first (but not really baby) steps
Around two years ago Borowczak came up with the idea of PAFF. However, it was not until November 2014 when everything started being organized. Her inspiration for PAFF was to help out gifted Polish fashion designers, and support Polish fashion industry. Throughout her life in New York, she has made numerous trips back to Poland, and has noticed that there were some incredible talents who faced many challenges in becoming successful abroad. Indeed, Borowczak is an architect, so she is passionate about fashion, and she knows how to spot a true talent. She decided to engage in that field professionally. What’s more, she established PAFF because she’s missed her home country very much.
She presented her vision to the Consulate General of the Republic of Poland in New York City. At first the idea seemed so unrealistic to everyone, but she followed through, and made the impossible happen. Her project has been gaining more and more attention. Social media has played a huge role in advertising the foundation. Many institutions joined PAFF as partners. Everyone realized that The Polish-American Fashion Foundation was going to do something incredible.
Shining in Times Square
Polish-American Fashion Week was PAFF’s first event. It began with a runway show on September 8th, 2015 in s spacious lobby of New Museum, just a few days before New York Fashion Week. Viola Śpiechowicz, MIA and Paprocki&Brzozowski SS’16 collections were featured. It was an exclusive, invitation-based only event organized with a great attention to detail. 300 guests were able to admire the beautiful skyline of Manhattan from the New Museum terrace during a cocktail party right after the show. A PR Gala at a 100-year-old De Lamar Mansion at the Polish Consulate followed the event the next day. Consulate is located in Madison Avenue in a building with a beautiful interior, and everything was well thought-through – from a gorgeous catering set up to a fantastic musicians’ performance. Mo61 Perfume Lab took her of the attendees’ olfaction, and sprinkled the event space with a PAFF scent. Finally, there was a two-day showroom open to public hosted in Inglot studio in Chelsea Market where everyone could see the designers’ collections, and even order the pieces they loved. The prices ranged from a few hundred dollars to a few thousand. What’s unusual, customers could buy items immediately if they found a size right for them. Moreover, thanks to Inglot and Mishka Studio, 8 million people were able to watch a short video about PAFF and the designers on one of the screens in Times Square.
The hardships of achieving international success
There are many reasons why it’s hard for Polish designers to become recognizable abroad. Borowczak explained to me that it is sometimes about poor quality, and sometimes about poor PR. She suggested that networking was crucial in this industry. That is why PAFF was founded. It can open many opportunities for the artists.
PAFF hopes to expand its presence in the field. Borowczak wants to host other unique shows – childrenswear, jewelry or furniture shows. She said “Fashion is not only about apparel anymore.” Her main purpose is to be constantly developing the foundation. Maybe one day there is going to be a Polish day during New York Fashion Week. For now, New York audience was introduced to Polish fashion with a great success.
Source: PAFF
