Nolcha Fashion Week: New York, now in its seventh year, had a diverse line-up of international designers show their collections in runway shows, exhibitions and the fashion lounge.

Nolcha is an award-winning event for independent designers, held during New York Fashion Week. It gives them a chance to show their lines to a large audience, which includes press, retailers, stylists and industry influencers. Nolcha also allows the designers, who are usually newer talent in the industry, to take part in networking events that could open up doors for them.

This season, Katty Xiomara had her fall/winter 2014–15 ready-to-wear collections showcased on the runway at Pier 59.

The brand was created in 1999 by Xiomara and her husband. They wanted to produce clothes for women that are somewhat artsy and elegant, but with a feminine flair.

Her first part of the collection took full influence from Peanuts, the comic strip and television show with Charlie Brown and Snoopy. Xiomara explained that she played with the clothing each character wears to produce this line. It featured clothes that were sportier, more casual and easier to wear than her other line. The most prominent colours were white, black and yellow, which fit perfectly with the theme.

Xiomara produced a mixture of shirts, skirts, pants and dresses for this line. She used classic cuts, high necklines and collars to portray its intended Peanuts feel. However, the showstopper that brought the whole collection together was definitely the furry Snoopy hat.

The second part of the collection acquired its look from clothes of the ’60s. The dresses were more elegant, glamorous and feminine, and featured long gowns with high slits down the front, made in solid red and sheer black lace.

In both lines, the designer used a variety of patterns and fabrics combined to follow the ’60s feel. Xiomara said she used graphics like posters and maps to create her own prints with an urban feel. She also used a variety of fabrics, such as sponge and silk, to give different textures and looks when worn together.

The elegant feel was carried through to hair and make-up: the models had their hair done in loose waves and sported red lips, orange eye shadow and simple face make-up to keep the feminine feel alive.

According to Xiomara, showing her work at Nolcha was a great opportunity for the brand to grow internationally. To her, New York is “a metropolis that breathes urban glamour,” which defines her collection perfectly.

Behind-the-scenes at Nolcha Fashion Week