When Brookdale fashion student Anastasia Kanopka watched her designs glide down the runway at the FMC New York Fashion Week showcase on February 12, the moment felt almost surreal.
The Fashion Merchandising major and emerging designer presented her sustainable womenswear collection as part of the FMC New York Fashion Week runway event, a production known for highlighting designers who blend creativity, culture, and social impact. The showcase, held in the heart of Manhattan, featured designers from across the country and around the world.
For Kanopka, who grew up in Central Jersey and attended Howell High School, the experience marked a major milestone in her journey as a young designer.
“Seeing my designs on a professional runway with an audience was super surreal,” Kanopka said. “Everything happened so fast, but it was such a fun and inspiring experience.”
Vintage Inspiration with a Sustainable Mission
Kanopka’s brand, Anastasia Designs, focuses on sustainability and ethical fashion while drawing heavily from vintage aesthetics.
“I’m always inspired by vintage fashion,” she said. “I take a lot from 1960s and ’70s silhouettes and work that into my designs.”
Her collection stood out not only for its retro influences but also for its materials. Every piece was created from upcycled fabrics, including thrifted textiles, curtains, and even tablecloths.
“I’m really passionate about sustainability, so I like to upcycle a lot,” Kanopka explained. “All of my designs are made from secondhand materials. I wanted to show that you can design an entire collection while still being sustainable.”
The runway show featured seven looks, each emphasizing creativity, craftsmanship, and environmentally conscious design.
From Newark to New York
Kanopka had previously showcased her work at Newark Fashion Week, where her designs first gained attention. Shortly afterward, the FMC production team discovered her work online and invited her to participate in the New York showcase.
“I think they saw my designs on Instagram and really liked the message behind them,” she said. “It was really cool that they reached out.”
Preparation for the show took weeks of work. During winter break, Kanopka spent countless hours sewing and constructing the collection.
“My whole winter break I was sewing nonstop,” she said. “I went from filling out college applications to the holidays and then straight into finishing the collection.”
A Professional Runway Experience
The show itself followed the fast-paced rhythm of the fashion industry. Designers selected models the day before the event during a professional casting session.
“I had to pick seven models for my seven looks,” Kanopka said. “Luckily everything fit perfectly, so the day of the show was actually pretty smooth.”
With the help of a fellow Brookdale student who documented the event and assisted backstage, Kanopka spent the day steaming garments and preparing her models before the show began.
Beyond the runway, the event provided valuable networking opportunities.
“All the designers were so nice and everyone was really friendly,” she said. “I met people from all over the country and made so many connections.”
A Creative Path Forward
Kanopka will graduate from Brookdale this May with an associate degree in Fashion Design and a certificate in Fashion Merchandising. This fall, she plans to continue her education at LIM College in New York City, where she will study visual studies, exploring fields such as styling, graphic design, and visual merchandising.
While she plans to broaden her focus in the fashion industry, design will remain close to her heart.
“I still want to keep doing fashion shows because I have so much fun with it,” she said. “It’s something I’ll definitely continue.”
From her first runway in Newark to a professional showcase during New York Fashion Week, Kanopka’s journey is only beginning. And with her commitment to sustainability and creative storytelling, she hopes to keep pushing fashion forward—one upcycled design at a time.
“If I could do another New York show again, I definitely would,” she said. “It’s an amazing experience.”