NEW YORK, Sept. 14, 2024 /PRNewswire/ -- International menswear brand Coofandy and women's sleepwear label Ekouaer made a bold entrance at New York Fashion Week with their much-anticipated runway debut at the landmark Cipriani building, 25 Broadway. As e-commerce leaders in their respective categories, each brand is marking this milestone as the start of an exciting new phase of growth, with Ekouaer poised to surpass $250 million in revenue and Coofandy projected to break $300 million this year.
"Coming to New York Fashion Week jumpstarts our branding efforts and marks a new chapter for both brands," said Oliver Chen, founder of Coofandy and Ekouaer, underscoring the importance of this debut in solidifying their market presence.
To celebrate their debut, supermodels Sean O'Pry and Helena Christensen returned to the runway, with O'Pry opening for Coofandy and Christensen for Ekouaer in their only NYFW appearances this season. The presence of these iconic figures, paired with curated styling from top industry experts Charlie Ward and Matthew Mazur, positioned the brands as premium yet accessible, blending aspirational fashion with real-world versatility.
Coofandy: Jet-Setting Sophistication
With its roots in accessible menswear, Coofandy has expanded beyond business shirts and suits to include casual knitwear and beachwear, achieving $200 million in revenue by 2023. At NYFW, Coofandy unveiled 40 diverse looks, embodying a jet-setting cosmopolitan sophisticate. From sleek suiting to casual summer looks, the collection reflected effortless nonchalance with an intentional edge.
My overall goal was to show the wide range of Coofandy's offerings, said stylist Charlie Ward. "We wanted to highlight classic tailoring while also showcasing more casual or beach-ready looks. From start to finish, it was about versatility—pieces that could elevate any wardrobe while being easy to wear."
Sean O'Pry, dressed in a sharp white tuxedo jacket to close the show, perfectly captured Coofandy's modern elegance. "Sean is always a joy to dress because he understands what the clothes are trying to say. It was an obvious choice to have him open and close the show,"** Ward added.
Rafael Miller, one of the next-gen models, offered a fresh perspective. "What I love about Coofandy is the versatility it offers. From sharp tailoring to more relaxed looks, each piece makes you feel prepared for anything, and that's the kind of confidence I look for in a brand," Miller noted, embodying Coofandy's balance of sophistication and ease.
Ekouaer: Effortless Chic for Every Occasion
Ekouaer, known for its stylish sleepwear, made its mark with 20 womenswear looks that transition effortlessly from day to night. Drawing inspiration from the off-duty city girl in the Riviera, the collection blended playful elements like flip flops and wide-leg jeans with luxurious textures of silk and satin.
"Helena was a dream to work with," said stylist Matthew Mazur."She knew exactly what she wanted, and we elevated her look with bold accessories like a lace catsuit, a standout piece made exclusively for her." Christensen, dressed in a layered silk PJ set over a lace bodysuit, captured the spirit of the Ekouaer woman—effortless, chic, and confident. "It was all about taking something cozy and giving it a bold twist," Christensen said.
Mazur further explained the vision behind the collection: "I wanted to explore how sleepwear and loungewear could transition into daywear, making the pieces versatile, no fuss, and chic. It's about blending comfort with style in a way that feels natural."
To ensure a successful and seamless New York Fashion Week show, the brands partnered with China Fashion Collective, a New York-based agency known for high-profile fashion shows and helping international brands break into the US market. "The vision was to showcase not only the premium nature of the brands but also their accessibility, but also highlighting their versatility in everyday wear," said Yuhan Liu, former award-winning journalist and Co-Founder of China Fashion Collective, who led the NYFW production effort.
Chen also noted this NYFW debut is a key moment for both brands as they continue to explore new avenues beyond e-commerce, emphasizing the strategic importance of the show for their future market expansion.
For PR inquiry, please contact China Fashion Collective
Email: claire@chinafashioncollective.com
yuhan@chinafashioncollective.com
** The press release content is from PR Newswire. Bastille Post is not involved in its creation. **
Iconic Supermodels Helena Christensen and Sean O'Pry Lead the NYFW Debut of E-commerce Powerhouses Ekouaer and Coofandy
Iconic Supermodels Helena Christensen and Sean O'Pry Lead the NYFW Debut of E-commerce Powerhouses Ekouaer and Coofandy
XIAMEN, China, Oct. 4, 2024 /PRNewswire/ -- On September 30th, the 13th Gulangyu Piano Art Week commenced with great fanfare on the enchanting island of Gulangyu in Xiamen. It captivated global musical elites and piano enthusiasts alike, once again showcased the island's enduring allure and brilliance as the "Island of Pianos" and the "Island of Music."
Under the stars and moonlight, with piano melodies resonating throughout, the festival's opening night on September 30th was highlighted by a performance from Dang Thai Son, a Vietnamese-Canadian pianist and Gulangyu resident artist hailed as "Asia's first Chopin." He performed solo piano pieces including Adagio, BWV 564 and Images, Book I, followed by collaborative performances with his student Wang Zitong and the Fuzhou Strait Symphony Orchestra, delivering timeless concertos such as Concerto for Two Pianos, K.365 and Piano Concerto No. 2 in F minor, Op. 21. The opening concert set the tone for the week-long festivities with a flourish of extraordinary music. Each note played on the black-and-white keys pulsed with Gulangyu's unique rhythm and emotions, while Dang Thai Son's masterful artistry led the audience through a captivating musical journey, earning enthusiastic applause and acclaim. Additionally, French national honoree and fellow Gulangyu resident artist Michel Dalberto hosted a masterclass, sharing his insights with the public, further strengthening Gulangyu's bridge to the world of music and uniting music lovers across the globe.
As a key highlight of this year's Gulangyu Piano Art Week, the premium concerts not only feature Gulangyu resident artists Dang Thai Son and Michel Dalberto, but also welcome distinguished guests including Sofia Gulyak, the first female pianist to win First Prize and the Princess Mary Gold Medal in the history of the Leeds International Piano Competition, Andrei Pisarev, Russian Honored Artist and head of the piano department at Moscow Tchaikovsky Conservatory, Lin Shuobin, organ instructor at the Chinese University of Hong Kong and organ education series tutor at the Hong Kong Cultural Centre, and Caroline Robinson, organist and assistant choral conductor at Atlanta's Cathedral of St. Philip. These top-tier artists delivered exceptional performances that align with international standards, creating a world-class musical feast. In addition, seven high-level academic activities, combining experience and knowledge-sharing, invited music lovers and professionals from various fields to engage in the artistic journey together.
Moreover, diverse music events such as courtyard concerts, beach concerts, and piano classes offered citizens and visitors a glimpse into the boundless possibilities of music, enriching the cultural lives of the public. Throughout the event, publicly accessible pianos across the island, starlit markets, art film screenings, and interactive art installations were open to all, encouraging the public to explore Gulangyu on foot and experience the pure essence and power of music, fostering a deeper passion for music and contributing to the transmission and development of musical culture. On October 1st, all the pianos on the island played 《My Motherland and Me》 to celebrate the 75th anniversary of the founding of the People's Republic of China, with beautiful melodies commemorating this significant occasion.
The Gulangyu Piano Art Week, one of the most important piano art brands in China and the broader Asian region, continues to serve as a prestigious public music event, enhancing Gulangyu's reputation as a cultural hub. The music culture of Gulangyu blends the elegance of grand concert halls with the vibrancy of community life. From intimate family concerts to lively street performances, music has become an integral part of island life, attracting music enthusiasts and professionals from all over the world. This, in turn, injects a steady stream of vitality into the island and contributes to Xiamen's reputation as a "Cultural Center, City of Arts, and Island of Music."
As the 13th Gulangyu Piano Art Week sets sail, the World Cultural Heritage site of Gulangyu once again shines with a dazzling musical celebration, leveraging its unique cultural charm and deep musical heritage to contribute to the protection and preservation of world heritage, while opening a new chapter in global music culture. With the theme "Romantic World Heritage, Enjoy the Piano Island: OUR ISLAND, OUR PIANO," this year's piano art week is jointly organized by the Xiamen Municipal People's Government, the Fujian Provincial Department of Culture and Tourism, and the Fujian Federation of Literary and Art Circles. The event is hosted by the Xiamen Gulangyu-Wanshishan Scenic Area Management Committee, the Xiamen Municipal Bureau of Culture and Tourism, the Xiamen Federation of Literary and Art Circles, the Siming District People's Government, and Xiamen Media Group. The event was running from September 30 to October 6 and featured over 50 exciting events under eight key themes.
** The press release content is from PR Newswire. Bastille Post is not involved in its creation. **
The 13th Gulangyu Piano Art Week Grandly Opens
