Stitched in Community: The Designers of Spring in Bloom
By Amanda Moses
Behind every look that graced the runway at Spring In Bloom was a story of resilience, discovery, and self-expression. From adolescent visionaries to emerging voices finding their footing in a new country, these individuals are proving that creativity doesn’t need a Manhattan address to thrive.
It was here, in Starrett City, that fashion is personal, stitched into lived experience, shaped by community, and worn with intention.
Jaylynn Rivers: Teenage Designing Confidence
Returning to the runway with sharpened vision, 17-year-old Jaylynn Rivers is already thinking beyond fashion into impact.
For her, the turning point came not from a single design, but from the reaction it sparked.
“It wasn’t just about clothing. It was about confidence, identity, and expression,” she says. “Seeing how people felt in what I created pushed me to take this seriously.”
Since her last showcase, her work has evolved, becoming refined, more intentional, and bolder in execution. With experience presenting internationally and at institutions like the Metropolitan Museum of Art, Rivers is taking high-fashion risks while staying rooted in her identity.
This season, her collection reflects transformation. Softness meets structure, mirroring the journey of growth and stepping into self-assurance. And in a community setting, that message lands even deeper.
“You’re not just showcasing designs. You’re connecting with people who understand your journey. That’s what keeps me grounded,” Rivers said.
Yakima Levy: Fashion as Healing and Craft
For Yakima Levy of Sewithus, fashion is more than aesthetics; its intention becomes visible.
Her designs, rooted in hand-sewn craftsmanship, blend embroidery, reconstructed denim, and symbolic motifs, florals, hearts, rising elements, each piece telling a story of healing and self-worth. Designed for both children and adults, her work invites wearers to feel seen and empowered.
Debuting in a space like Spring In Bloom carries weight for Levy.
“It motivates me to keep pushing my creativity,” she says. “There’s power in community, in support, and in showing up as your authentic self.”
Her philosophy is simple, but resolute: Good, better, best—never rest until the good is better, and the better is best.
Maddison: A Star in the Making at 6
At just six years old, Maddison isn’t just dreaming, she’s designing.
Her journey began the moment she first touched a sewing machine. “I thought it was so dope,” she says with a grin. “That’s when I knew—I want to make clothes.”
Her debut collection, Crowned Culture, is exactly what you’d expect from a young creative with no limits: bold, joyful, and unapologetically fun. Built from her own drawings, each piece is designed to make the wearer feel “IT,” confident, bright, and completely themselves.
“This is my first collection, so I wanted it to feel fresh and exciting—just like spring,” she says.
In a show built on uplifting emerging talent, Maddison’s presence is more than adorable. It’s a reminder that creativity has no age limit.
Camila Restrepo: Designing Between Worlds
For Camila Restrepo of 5 Cinco Tintas, fashion is both identity and bridge.
Having recently moved to the U.S., her work reflects the duality of starting over while holding onto cultural roots. “Fashion has always been how I express who I am,” she says. “It’s part of me. I can’t imagine doing anything else.”
Her collection, Sun-Kissed Blooming, is a love letter to renewal, soft sunlight after a long winter, warmth returning to life. With vibrant colors and playful volumes, her designs invite wearers into a world of hope, joy, and emotional connection.
In a community-driven show, that vulnerability becomes strength. “It reminded me that fashion is not just about garments, it’s about connection,” she says. “Being here makes me feel like I belong.”
Through every piece, she weaves Colombia into New York, connecting cultures, stories, and new beginnings.
MadebyMEÑACA: Designing Without Rules
For Lisa Meñaca, the force behind MadebyMEÑACA, fashion isn’t about fitting in. It’s flamboyance, it’s all about standing out.
“I don’t focus on collections,” she explains. “I focus on storytelling—so people know, ‘Yes, MENACA made that.’”
Her work thrives in contradiction with unexpected color pairings, unconventional structures, and a fearless approach to design that resonates deeply with younger audiences. It’s fashion without permission, shaped by instinct rather than expectation.
“In today’s community, people are more comfortable wearing what they want,” she says. “I design for that freedom.”
Pushing Boundaries with ‘Barbwire’
For Victor Martinez of Time Wasted NYC, evolution is everything.
Inspired in part by a full-circle moment meeting Dapper Dan, his latest collection, Barbwire, challenges his own creative limits, placing a stronger emphasis on accessories while drawing from 1980s influences.
“I’m trying to push my usual approach,” he says. “It’s about progression—that’s the blueprint.”
Rooted in the city’s diversity, his work reflects a culture that’s constantly shifting, always experimenting. And in a setting like Spring in Bloom, the connection becomes immediate.
“It’s a chance to reconnect with people, and to test ideas in real time.”
Spring in Bloom is a Runway Built on Storytelling
What united these designers wasn’t just talent. It was an intention. Each piece that moved down the runway carried something deeper: identity, culture, growth, and community.
Spring in Bloom once again proved, for a second year in a row; that style doesn’t just come from the industry. It comes from the people.
