By: UFIRST Production
At the heart of every great fashion week lies an essential question: Who decides what makes it to the runway? For the second season of Florida Men’s Fashion Week, held April 26–27, 2025, at the sophisticated Hilton Miami Aventura, that responsibility was placed in the hands of a carefully selected jury of fashion experts, primarily talented women designers, each with deep experience in women’s fashion. This year, they were invited to judge menswear collections, offering a fresh, cross-disciplinary perspective rooted in design precision and a deep understanding of fashion’s evolving language.
Leading the jury was Valentina Varnavskaya, the founder and owner of FMFW, whose career spans over a decade in the European and U.S. fashion industries. Known for her sharp eye and leadership, she brought integrity and depth to the selection process as the head of the judging panel.
Joining her was Anastasia Milovskaia, the designer behind Dress Club Collection — a slow fashion outerwear label that champions timeless, unisex cuts. Her jackets are known for transcending seasonal trends, remaining relevant for decades. Anastasia has been invited to several shows across the United States, and her work has been spotlighted by Harper’s Bazaar France.
Also part of the panel was Ekaterina Frumina, the creative force behind La Magnétique, a brand known for transformative pajama-style suits with modular elements and adjustable silhouettes. Her designs have received recognition both in Europe and the U.S., where her refined approach to loungewear-meets-luxury has gained loyal followers.
The fourth juror, Kseniia Ryzhikova, brought not only design insight but technological innovation. A graduate of Kosygin Moscow State University of Design and Technology and the British Higher School of Art and Design, Kseniia is a stylist, image-maker, and the inventor of a patented sustainable crochet technique. This method repurposes fur waste and old coats into new garments, a contribution that earned her the national “Creative Industries 2024” award for Designer-Innovator of the Year and the international Best for Life Design Award in fashion design and accessories.
This elite panel was responsible for narrowing down nearly 250 applicants — designers from around the world who submitted their portfolios for a chance to showcase at FMFW. From that large pool, only 25 were selected to present runway collections. The decision was based on each designer’s unique vision, the strength and coherence of their collection, and their proven experience within the industry. For FMFW, the bar remains high: only the compelling, polished, and innovative designers are invited to participate.
Over the two days of shows, the Hilton Miami Aventura became a vibrant fashion hub, hosting a large crowd of guests, featuring numerous models, and attracting several influential figures from Miami’s fashion scene. The event also included a press conference where invited talent Martu spoke to the audience, offering support for the platform and its dedication to showcasing emerging voices in menswear.
The designer lineup this season included TENACITI, Smart Swimsuits, Idol Jose, True Essence, Profile Your Style, Eyo Annang, Anuruq Jaidee, DM20, Dress Club Collection, La Magnétique, THE WAY IT FITS, Dope, Hardcore Fashion, Ant1, Akimota, Kenneth “K-Bobby” Edgar, Vieg Yuro, Minibē, Mariano Moreno, Val, Verdict Still Out, Perfect Population by KL Allen, The Room Concept by Juan Castillo, and Nikoza.
In the pop-up space, guests explored creative concepts from Barzaga, JEMMA RUSSO, IAMUSA, Carolina Cruz Jewelry & Bijoux, Midsmarket, and Only Authentics. Meanwhile, art met fashion with an exhibition by MOA Fine Art Gallery, which presented the “MONEY” collection by Victoria Unikel.
This season was supported by an extraordinary roster of partners and sponsors. The general sponsor, Power of Zero, brought a powerful message about protecting children’s well-being in the digital era. Strategic partner Hilton Miami Aventura provided the venue and an atmosphere of luxury and ease. Global Beauty Academy GWT led all makeup and beauty direction.
Further sponsorship came from standout partners like Superlook.ai, DYNAA BEAUTY, Nutree Professional, Lifeway Foods, Edgar Entertainment, RUSA.fm, Smart Water, Dough&Soul restaurant, Artpicnic Catering, Lillet Blooms & Events, Argonaut Boats, Yacht Pro Group, Drink Spade, VUGA Media Group, Gossip Stone TV, XSELLER8, Mister Global Cuba, Unparalleled Productions, STUNT LIFESTYLE, Social Bird, Neau Water, Enke Systems, Bart4U, Miami Fashion Shows, Majorica, Leisure Hydration, Switch Style, Lazin Magazine, and Art Beast.
Invited talents enriched the event with their presence and creativity, including Martu E. Freeman-Parker, Dana Lekus (Lead Makeup Artist and Hairstylist), Alina Kuznevych (Hairstylist), Ilona Hradinaru (Makeup Artist), Druzhynina Iryna (Makeup Artist), Liliia Dzyhivska (Worldwide Makeup and Hair Artist), Kseniia Ryzhikova (Designer, Jury Member), Kateryna Frumina (Designer, Jury Member), Denis Minyailo (Designer), STUNT LIFESTYLE (Host for the Artlanta Show), ANOLIA (Singer), Artlanta (Artist), Anastasia Milovskaia (Designer, Jury Member), Alexandra Alferova (PR & Marketing Leader, Global PR consulting), Arnel San Pedro (Production Partner team) and DJ Atonik. The energy and atmosphere were expertly captured in photos by Jordan, who documented every angle from behind the scenes to center stage.
As the second season wrapped, Florida Men’s Fashion Week proved again that fashion in Miami is bold, forward-thinking, and deeply collaborative — a platform where talent meets opportunity, and where the future of menswear is shaped by those who understand design from every side.
Published by Joseph T.
