ATLFW 2025 Celebrates The Culture Of ATL [Exclusive]

From October 2 via 5, 2025, Atlanta Trend Week (ATLFW) returned to Atlantic Station with 4 days of runway exhibits, retail activations, and cultural experiences designed to highlight style’s rising designers, leaders, and disruptors. Produced by RAGTRADE ATLANTA, ATLFW has advanced into greater than only a sequence of exhibits; it’s an incubator for unbiased designers and a celebration of Atlanta’s rise as a inventive capital.

This occasion showcases designs and sponsors that hone in on town itself.

In line with Atlanta Trend Week organizers, this yr’s format merges “The Exhibits” and “The Outlets,” giving designers a direct-to-consumer pipeline whereas inviting audiences to expertise style via commerce and tradition.

The outcome was an ecosystem the place storytelling meets buying.

The weekend schedule was enriching from begin to end, filled with standout displays that highlighted creativity and collaboration.

On Friday, the festivities kicked off at 3 p.m. with Verdict Nonetheless Out x Raquel the Label…

adopted by Alani Taylor x Eli Kish by Tameka Raymond at 6 p.m…

and wrapped with a 9 p.m. showcase from AAkofii.

Saturday continued the momentum with GOAT by James King x Jai Lyle taking the stage at midday, Made by Center x Eddy Yung x BDR Black presenting at 3 p.m., and Octavius Marsion x SARAYAA closing the early night at 6 p.m. The weekend culminated in model with Adidas s/s 2026 bringing the evening — and the celebration — to a strong shut at 9 p.m.

A Weekend of Energy and Presence

Atlanta Trend Week’s opening evening honored retail visionary James Whitner of The Whitaker Group, the powerhouse behind A Ma Manière, Social Standing, APB, and Prosper. Whitner’s work has redefined how style and activism coexist, making him the proper honoree for a metropolis rooted in each creativity and neighborhood.

The place Trend and Perform Collide

The week’s immersive pop-ups prolonged the runway into the streets. Attendees may observe an adidas Originals set up that honored ATL. Its doorways opened its pop-up at 1380 Atlantic Drive NW, whereas The Outlets at 231 18th Avenue NW rework right into a market for indie manufacturers. On Sunday, Bloomingdale’s Lenox Mall hosted the ATLFW x Bloomingdale’s Pop-Up Edit from 11 a.m. to 7 p.m.

Throughout the adidas Originals set up, company consultant Jules Pierrot defined the model’s mission to mix creativity with schooling.

 “We created a design fellowship for college kids throughout the AUC,” Pierrot stated.

“Atlanta and the AUC are related — one can’t thrive with out the opposite. We wished to showcase that relationship via style, artwork, and music, whereas letting the general public expertise Spring/Summer season 2026 items firsthand.”

Designers With World Roots

Among the many standout designers throughout ATLFW was Zainab Ali, founding father of the luxurious leather-based model AAboux.

Initially an accountant, Ali found her inventive calling after visiting Nigerian tanneries that offer leather-based to main European homes. 

“Our luggage are sculpted like origami items and crafted by third-generation artisans in Nigeria,” Ali shared. “The handles mimic African head wraps, and every bit is a restricted version murals.”

One other inventive pressure is Brea Bryant, founding father of Leier Fragrances, a model born from nostalgia and self-expression featured on the ATLFW reception.

 “All of those fragrances are designed to be layered — therefore the identify Leir,” Bryant defined. “They signify the numerous layers we possess as people. At this time you could be a ‘Rain’ lady; tomorrow it’s ‘Insurgent.’ They evolve with you.”

Her origin assortment deconstructs the basic Halston scent into 4 distinct fragrances impressed by her childhood experiments with fragrance and child powder.

Partnerships That Push Tradition Ahead

ATLFW’s official companions embrace BMW, adidas, Bloomingdale’s, Clinique, IKEA, and Elaine Sterling Institute, with help from the Metropolis of Atlanta Mayor’s Workplace of Cultural Affairs and Fulton County Arts & Tradition.

The occasion cements Atlanta as a world hub for creativity whereas feeding its financial ecosystem via designer revenue era and model activation.

For extra data, go to www.atlantafashionweek.co/schedule.