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A sacred surfboard. A fashion support puppy. A victory lap with Ashley Graham. Here's where the magic was pulsing at New York Fashion Week Day 3!

1

The Hugs at Studio189

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Kid Cudi and Rosario Dawson hugged. Vashtie Kola and Nathalie Emmanuel hugged. Nicole Ari Parker and Liya Kebede hugged. And the show—dedicated to the memory of designer Abrima Erwiah's father—was an embrace of its own.

Billed as "an aim to showcase the many ways we celebrate life through culture in Africa and its Diaspora," the new collection included traditional batik, weaving, and dyeing made modern with shirt dresses, suiting, and tiered ruffle skirts. Choreographer Virgil Gadson led an emotional tribute dance with adults and kids, and everyone—seniors, students, babies, bodies of all sizes and abilities—hit the runway to show it off.

In pop culture, fashion has a reputation for coldness. In real life, this is the kind of catwalk show (and the kind of clothing line) that proves we wear our hearts on our sleeves. (After all, we're the ones who sewed them there.)

2

The Flower Floors at Ulla Johnson

The Brooklyn Museum’s glass-tiled courtyard was built in 1893, but floral architect Emily Thompson gave it an upgrade for the Ulla Johnson show. She used over 25,000 fresh flowers—zinnias, coxcomb, chrysanthemums, and dianthus (the hot pink ones with the jagged petals)—to create a continent of buds and blossoms, defined and anchored by 30 bales of crabapple branches. (Everything was composted after the show.) The installation took 15 people and 17 hours, but it'll live in our dreams for much longer.

3

The Front Row Appearance of Swee'Pea Melon!

Faran Krentcil

Meet Swee'Pea Miracle Melon, a 6-year-old fuzzball belonging to artists Bobbi Salvör Menuez and Quori Theodor that several models and editors have dubbed their "fashion support animal." Swee'Pea wagged her tail when the Puppets and Puppets collection came down the runway, which means she thinks it has the potential to destroy the patriarchy and/or bring her treats. (Keep scrolling for the human review.)

4

The Sistine Surfboard Sweater at Who Designs War

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Jesus walked on water; the rest of us can ride it. Who Designs War made a brilliant, boxy sweater that goes either way with cutouts that could represent chapel windows or California rides. Paired with denim that looks like it's gone through a stigmata or a few good saltwater rinses, it's kinda divine.

5

Schiapa-really at Puppets And Puppets

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There's a new kind of surrealism happening in downtown fashion, and when it works, it's glorious. Let's call it Schiapa-really—less formal than the Man Ray couture of Schiaparelli's Daniel Roseberry, but just as playful (and easier to wear on the F train downtown). In designer Carly Marks' new collection, it came in the form of a butterfly swarm instead of a bra, a pair of trompe l'oiel thong pants, and an empty box of SnackWell's cookies in place of a clutch. (Deli, meet Dali?) But the coolest were "gloves" created by makeup artist Fara Homidi from Starface, the Gen Z skincare staple famous for its celestial acne dots. (They're also available in yellow and blue, should your outfit require more color.)

6

The Show Going On at Tommy Hilfiger

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Luring people to show in a rainstorm can be risky. Tommy Hilfiger made it worth it with a surprise Travis Barker performance, a Kate Moss appearance, and a joyful collection of logo-pop prints that refreshed (but respected) his pretty classics, especially when styled on models of all ages/styles/vibes. Here's Ashley Graham heading into the floodgates, and gosh, it's great to see her.

7

2005 Coming Back

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Y2K style is hitting peak TikTok, which means it's only fair that 2005—the beloved era of The O.C. and The White Stripes—is up next. Cate Holstein called first dibs on this tapered bubble hem, first flounced at Stella McCartney and by manic pixies like Zoey Deschanel. (Remember when you could buy the Erin Featherston for Target version?!) Stylist Victoria Traina is far cooler than me, so she paired it with this high-neck black blouse instead of how I'm gonna do it—with a Rooney tee, obviously—but hey, to each her own.

8

The Navy/Black Affair at Luar

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Black and navy do not clash. Black and navy are a perfect color combo. Black and navy worship the night. Black and navy get sh*t done. Black and navy are the Romy and Michele of the underworld. Black and navy are so elevated, they need oxygen masks. Black and navy are perfect and Luar proved it with these looks. (Also, yes, perhaps there is some unresolved trauma around a black satin dress and navy baby cardigan that I paired in 10th grade, and even though it was perfect, my lunch table said I looked deranged.)Anyway. These are sick looks; well done, Luar! (Off to therapy, BRB.)

9

Beverly Hills, What a Thrill!

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Yesterday at Sergio Hudson, we saw what Phyllis Neffler might wear to Spago. Today at Marrisa Wilson, we saw what a 90210 Girl Scout can sport when she's grown, including popsicle-colored dresses and palm leaf prints inspired by Wilson's Guyanese roots. With models wearing white Doc Martens and cute camper sandals by Rebecca Allen, plus crystal-beaded hair by Kien Hoang at Oribe, these pieces confirmed the daytime-dance-party vibe that Wilson keeps building. She's a Trooper, for sure.

10

The Dieux Eye Mask at Badgley Mischka

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Here is a model wearing an eye mask for five minutes, which sounds like the tiny time-out we all need right now. (And it's a reusable Dieux skincare set, so it cuts down on waste—amazing.) If you're reading this, maybe it's a sign that you should set a timer for 120 seconds, close your eyes, and actually breathe.

11

The Wrist Scrunchie on Sandy Liang's Opening Look

We. Feel. So. Seen. (The headphones, too. Thank you, Queen.)

Faran Krentcil Editor at Large, ELLE.com "Her beauty and her brain go not together." —William Shakespeare