Runway
Eze Azenabor – NYFW Review
Written By Sarah Eros
Ese Azenabor’s Fall/Winter 2026 use of florals in this line was groundbreaking. Sergio Tuxedo described this show as one of his top three favourite New York Fashion Week Fall/Winter 2026 shows, saying it had blown his mind like no other collection within the last ten years. From the old-money runway ambiance to the use of embellished florals and colour, it was clear that this collection was ahead of its time.
Ese Azenabor is a known Canadian designer born in Nigeria who is known for her elaborate bridal gowns. She gave audiences a refreshing surprise with this evening wear collection. It reminded audiences that couture gowns can still be wearable in a modern sense. Azenabor was pregnant with her second child while creating this collection and was only a few months postpartum when the line hit New York Fashion Week, giving the entire collection a deeper meaning. It is inspiring to see women continue working hard regardless of timing or circumstance, proving that she truly is a boss lady and making the collection feel even more powerful.
The show took place at the James A. Burden Mansion, giving audiences the ultimate Nate Archibald old-money atmosphere and transforming the runway into the luxury world of the Upper East Side. Venues matter: not only to do justice to the creations hitting the catwalk, but also to create realities where these gowns can exist. The venue added to the overwhelming amount of character within the show. A runway presentation needs character to help the audience connect with it, but with designs like these, there was never much worry about that.
What made this line especially unique was the fact that it was not entirely cohesive in the traditional sense. Instead of a steady flow of garments that all looked similar, each piece was unique, and audiences never quite knew what to expect when the next garment appeared. That unpredictability is exactly what makes an eveningwear show exciting; Every model walking out produced a gasp, a jaw-drop, a glimmer in the eyes of the viewers. The attention to detailing throughout the collection added a sense of drama and dimension, pushing the limits beyond simple eveningwear into something more theatrical and intense. It's admired how the light caught intricate details on the darker garments catching your eyes instantly. The colour story worked beautifully for a Fall/Winter collection, mixing deep sultry reds with romantic lavenders. Between mini dresses, dramatic trains, and glamorous gowns, there was something for every diva.
Having recently opened a new boutique in Dallas, Texas, Azenabor is staking her claim in fashion. During a time when retail stores are struggling; declining foot traffic and the rising cost of a brick-and-mortar isn’t stopping this designer from forging her path. It’s exciting to see the rise of intimate boutiques offering a luxury shopping experience.
Azenabor’s gowns exist beyond the runway, being flaunted at this year’s 2026 NYC Ballet Gala. Jean Shafiroff was seen wearing a stunning blue gown from the collection on the red carpet, demonstrating how the designs function beyond the catwalk and into events, status, and the public image. The dress showcased exaggerated volume and fluid movement, making it onto social media’s best-dressed lists from the gala. These gowns proved once again that they are designed to turn heads and command attention.
