MEFeater’s 5th Annual Galentine’s Runway Celebrates Latin & Caribbean Power and Unity at NYFW 2026

2026-02-24 - 14:44

Under this year’s theme, “The World Is Hers,” MEFeater’s 5th Annual Galentine’s Runway was more than a fashion show — it was a declaration. Dedicated to the nations of the Caribbean Sea, with a special nod to Jamaica, this milestone production carried deeper weight. In the wake of Hurricane Melissa, which impacted parts of the Caribbean last year, Galentine’s became a reminder that while storms may shake the land, they do not break its people. Now in its fifth year, Galentine’s has evolved into one of New York Fashion Week’s most dynamic celebrations of women in fashion — spotlighting global designers, Caribbean heritage, Latin pride, innovation, and unapologetic self-expression through runway, music, and community. With over 350 seated guests and 200 standing attendees, the evening seamlessly blended fashion, culture, and economic visibility into one commanding production at The Glasshouse. A Platform Built for Global Women Designers MEFeater Galentine’s was created to bring coverage and opportunity to emerging and extraordinary women designers who often lack the funding to produce their own independent shows during Fashion Week. Each year, the platform creates access — connecting designers to stylists, buyers, media, and brand partners who can extend their careers far beyond one night. This year, Gabrielle Amani, Founder and CEO of MEFeater Magazine and Executive Producer of the Galentine’s Runway, personally handpicked every designer, ensuring the lineup reflected both cultural depth and technical excellence. Inspired by her Panamanian and Jamaican roots, Amani reflected on a deeper truth: even though the Caribbean speaks multiple languages — English, Spanish, Patois, and Creole — it is still one region, one rhythm, one spirit. That is why it was important for the Dominican Republic and Cuba to be represented. Many forget that these islands sit right beside Jamaica sharing waters, history, migration, rhythm, and resilience. Though languages may differ, the spirit is shared. Galentine’s was a visual reminder that Latin and Caribbean identities are not separate conversations — they are intertwined stories of power and survival. Cultural Presence & Performances The evening welcomed Malibu Miitch, Puerto Rican singer Leaf, hip-hop icon Lil Mama, and Faygo Flocc, the younger brother of A$AP Rocky. Also in attendance was Zeus Network star and Miss Virgin Islands Janeisha John, alongside Miss Cuba, Miss Dominican Republic, and other international pageant title holders who walked the runway with regal presence. Live performances by Reggaeton Artist, Cyn Santana and Jamaican dancehall legend Macka Diamond infused the room with authentic Caribbean rhythm and global energy. Shop Women Designers: An Installation of Identity The evening opened with Shop Women Designers, an immersive art installation referencing Jamaica’s layered cultural landscape. DUPPY by Yaya Sonyini represented punk rock rebellion and Black surrealism. Founded by Jamaican-born, U.S.-raised visual artist Yaya Sonyini, DUPPY is rooted in cultural hybridity, Black surrealism, and radical individuality. Blending punk aesthetics with bold graphic storytelling, the brand reflects lived experience and unapologetic self-definition. Mamayashi creates culturally conscious garments that embody freedom, sovereignty, and spiritual alignment. Inspired by African heritage and the Rastafari journey, her designs honor ancestral leaders while bridging historical legacy with modern expression. Bad Gyal Brukins, the show’s Dancehall Designer, brought rhythm, movement, and Caribbean storytelling to the runway. UK-based, a mother and licensed therapist, her work merges lived experience with bold cultural expression — transforming fashion into motion. This was not simply a fashion moment. It was a curated artistic reflection of Jamaica’s cultural layers — punk, Rasta, and Dancehall — unified under one creative vision. Runway Presentations BCP Planet, founded by Belania Daley, formerly of Project Runway, delivered contemporary silhouettes infused with cues from her Jamaican and Cuban heritage. SEV Furtique represented Dominican heritage, drawing inspiration from 1990s Spanish telenovelas and Washington Heights glamour. Tanya Marie, Jamaican-born and Miami-raised, closed the runway with handcrafted garments rooted in ancestral storytelling and couture reconstruction. Jewelry designer Grisé NYC owned by Georgina Ogirri, and footwear designers M.Marie by Markisha, both women with Dominican roots, reinforced representation through intentional styling and bold design — proving that heritage and luxury can stand powerfully side by side. Sponsors & Strategic Partners ORS Hair Care, the Backstage Hair Partner, anchored the beauty narrative — celebrating textured hair as central to the show’s identity and storytelling. Bask & Lather Co., the Shop Women Partner, supported emerging designers and cultural entrepreneurship. In partnership with NYC legendary media platform HOT 97 and global media powerhouse TRACE, the largest global Afro-urban radio and television network, Galentine’s expanded its reach across domestic and international audiences. Additional partners included Smartwater, Ten To One Rum, Society House, Foxy Black Bundles, Lynn New York, K Nailed It, Drink LMT, Wild Ferns Miami, and Jelly IV. Galentine’s exists because visibility is not evenly distributed. For too long, Caribbean and Latin women designers have shaped global culture without receiving global platforms. Galentine’s was built to create that space — where heritage meets high fashion and unity is intentional. In a season marked by rebuilding after Hurricane Melissa, this production became affirmation. The storm may have tested the islands. But it did not weaken their voice. As Jamaica’s national motto declares: “Out of Many, One People.” And at New York Fashion Week, that unity stood tall.