We Speak Events
“Pop Couture” Redefines Fashion during NYFW: A Bold Fusion of Anime, Pop Culture, and High Fashion
Jan. 22, 2025 (New York)— Pop Couture is set to redefine the runway during New York Fashion Week with a runway show and post runway show event on Friday, February 7, 2025, presented by Studio|Couture and Plus Ultra Entertainment. This groundbreaking show spotlights the transformative influence of anime, Japanese craftsmanship, and pop culture on modern fashion, featuring visionary designers who are reshaping the industry with bold, innovative designs.
Pop Couture is a fashion revolution, blending pop culture’s bold artistry with high-fashion craftsmanship to redefine the runway. With Millennials and Gen-Z leading the charge, this event celebrates the storytelling and individuality shaping the future of media, retail, and style. More than a show, Pop Couture is a cultural and economic statement unveiling what’s next in fashion and beyond.
Meet the Designers Who Are Changing the Game
Frank Huynh | Lê Tâm (He/Him): Frank is the mastermind behind Lê Tâm, where heritage meets avant-garde fashion. Drawing deeply from his Vietnamese roots, Frank’s designs are a stunning collision of tradition and modernity, exuding elegance and artistry. Known for his meticulous attention to detail and storytelling through fabric, Frank’s creations have captivated audiences in prestigious arenas such as the Smithsonian’s Arts and Industries Building and DC Fashion Week, making him one of the most exciting designers to watch this year.
KingKitsu (He/Him): KingKitsu is rewriting the rules of fashion with their transformative, statement-making designs. Known for their daring blend of regal and rebellious styles, KingKitsu creates bold looks that embrace individuality and celebrate self-expression. Their work is a perfect balance of theatrical artistry and wearable luxury, captivating audiences with every collection.
Dykemint (They/Them/He/Her): Dykemint is redefining couture with a bold mission: to create sustainable, one-of-a-kind fashion that’s equal parts chaos and beauty. Fi Black’s anime-inspired, maximalist designs break the mold of fast fashion, delivering handcrafted pieces that are as thought-provoking as they are jaw-dropping. With a commitment to size-inclusivity and sustainability, Dykemint is a rebellious force in the industry, proving that creativity knows no limits.
Aya Sakai | SAI Japan Vintage (She/Her): Aya, founder of SAI Japan Vintage, brings Japanese heritage to the forefront of modern fashion. Her designs reimagine centuries-old kimono fabrics as contemporary masterpieces, each piece telling a story of history, culture, and innovation. Aya’s work is a love letter to traditional craftsmanship and a bold statement about sustainability, earning her a place as one of fashion’s most visionary upcyclers.
Plus Ultra Entertainment (They/Them) is making its fashion debut with an anime-inspired capsule collection set to premiere at the Pop Couture runway show during New York Fashion Week. This limited-edition collection draws on the vivid energy and imaginative worlds of anime, translating them into sleek, wearable art pieces designed to captivate both pop culture and high-fashion enthusiasts.
Featured Makeup Partner
Elevating the runway looks is Yva Expressions, the featured makeup partner for Pop Couture. Renowned for its vibrant eyeshadow palettes, luxurious lip glosses, and stunning use of color, this cruelty-free and vegan brand seamlessly blends pop culture with high-quality cosmetics. With products that cater to both bold and subtle aesthetics, Yva Expressions will craft the unforgettable beauty looks that complement and elevate the fashion on the runway, embodying the show’s dedication to ethical and inclusive artistry.
Featured Jewelry Designer
TruFacebyGrace is a celebration of African heritage and Afrofuturistic vision, crafting bold, culturally inspired jewelry and fashion that bridge tradition and modernity. Drawing on the rich tapestry of African customs and craftsmanship, each piece tells a story—honoring the intricate artistry of diverse regions while embracing a forward-thinking aesthetic. This blend of heritage and innovation has captured the attention of global icons like Janet Jackson, Kelly Rowland, Zozi Tunzi and more. TruFacebyGrace has also been featured in Coming 2 America and Black Panther: Wakanda Forever. From the Oscars to the Golden Globes and Essence red carpets, the brand stands as a testament to cultural pride and its powerful connection to pop culture, redefining what it means to wear your story.
Press & Media Invitations Now Open
Members of the press/media are invited to request credentials via [email protected]. Seating and capacity are extremely limited.
Stay Connected
Follow Studio|Couture and Plus Ultra Entertainment on social media for updates, sneak peeks, and behind-the-scenes looks at Pop Couture.
Studio|Couture and Plus Ultra Entertainment, the event’s award winning, visionary producers, have created a platform that blends impeccable event production with a passion for highlighting emerging talent. From small to large experiences, media features and impact, their expertise ensures Pop Couture delivers an experience that rivals the biggest shows of the season.
About Studio|Couture
Studio|Couture is a premier creative agency specializing in fashion, art, and luxury event production. Renowned for its innovative approach and dedication to elevating emerging talent, Studio|Couture blends high-end aesthetics with cutting-edge storytelling to craft unforgettable experiences. From conceptual design to flawless execution, the agency is committed to pushing boundaries and redefining modern couture.
About Plus Ultra Entertainment
Plus Ultra Entertainment is an award-winning entity and inclusive nerd space dedicated to celebrating and amplifying the diverse voices within nerd, anime, cosplay, and pop culture. With a mission to creatively build community and culture, Plus Ultra Entertainment bridges the gap between fandom and artistry, crafting experiences that unite and inspire. Through its innovative productions and dedication to inclusivity, the company has become a trailblazer in highlighting the transformative power of nerd and pop culture.
We Speak Events
Dr. Jamal H. Bryant and The JHB Movement to Host Strategic Town Hall Revealing the Next Phase of the TargetFast Movement
As national momentum continues to build around the TargetFast movement, Dr. Jamal Harrison Bryant, Senior Pastor of New Birth Missionary Baptist Church and founder of The JHB Movement, will host a high-impact, invite-only TargetFast Town Hall on Tuesday, April 22, 2025, at 7:00 PM EST in Stonecrest, Georgia.
This private strategic gathering marks the conclusion of the first 40 days of TargetFast.org — a bold initiative launched on March 3, 2025, calling for a community-wide economic divestment from Target in response to its quiet rollback of Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion (DEI) initiatives. As a critical moment for reflection, recalibration, and media engagement, the town hall will unveil the movement’s next phase and reaffirm its call for corporate accountability. Special guests that will be speaking at the event include:
Dr. Jamal H. Bryant – Senior Pastor & Movement Leader
Dr. Karri Bryant – Educator & Cultural Strategist
Dr. Rashad Richey – Political Analyst & Commentator
Tamika Mallory – Renowned Civil Rights Activist
Dr. David John – Economic Advisor & Policy Strategist
Tezlyn Figaro – Policy ConsultantNina Turner – Political Economist
In just over a month, TargetFast has sparked a measurable shift in corporate accountability. Since the launch of the boycott, Target has experienced 10 consecutive weeks of declining foot traffic and a sharp drop in stock value — from $104 on March 13 to $92 on April 13, resulting in an estimated $12.4 billion loss in market value (source: Reddit and public market data).
But beyond the numbers, the movement speaks directly to the economic vulnerability of Black-owned brands that once thrived under Target’s DEI efforts, including:
Mielle Organics
Tabitha Brown’s Home & Kitchen Collection
The Doux Haircare Products
Black Girl Sunscreen
“This is not just a protest—it’s a prophetic move toward permanent change,” said Dr. Bryant. “TargetFast is a demand, not a plea. If corporations choose to walk back their promises to our community, we will meet them with economic consequence.”
Attendees can expect a powerful review of the first 40 days of the TargetFast movement, along with exclusive insights from key voices leading the charge. The town hall will offer strategic vision casting and a clear roadmap for the next phase of the movement’s expansion. Participants will also gain access to new resources, including a comprehensive Black Business Directory and a 30-Day Devotional Guide designed to support both faith and financial discipline. With a major media presence on-site, the event is positioned to amplify the movement’s message and national impact.
JHB Movement and the Path Forward
This initiative is being led by the Jamal Harrison Bryant (JHB) Movement, a faith-driven social justice organization committed to economic empowerment, community activism, and racial equity. To support those participating in the FAST, Dr. Bryant is providing registrants with a Black Business Directory and a 30-Day Devotional Guide, offering alternative shopping options and spiritual encouragement throughout the boycott. Supporters can sign up at Targetfast.org to receive the Black Business Directory and 30-Day Devotional, as well as track updates on the FAST’s impact. The JHB Movement will also release a report at the end of the 40-day period to quantify the economic effect of this demonstration.
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