Where New York edge meets Parisian elegance
“NYC Live! @ Fashion Week in Paris” Fall/Winter 2025 Showcase — Friday, March 7th, 2025 — Hôtel Napoléon Champs-Élysées Paris — in Paris, France
The lights shimmered, the music pulsed through the room, and anticipation filled the air. NYC Live! @ Fashion Week in Paris 2025 wasn’t just a runway show, it was a collision of cultures, creativity, and cutting-edge fashion, where the fearless energy of New York met the refined sophistication of Paris. Beneath the magnificent chandeliers of Hôtel Napoléon Champs-Élysées, the audience witnessed a spectacle that pushed the boundaries of style. The result? A night of unforgettable moments, where every detail—from the lighting to the fabrics—told a story of bold innovation.
By Francine Mbanza Jensen & Karoline Nilsen
At the heart of NYC Live! @ Fashion Week in Paris is Wm. Michael Reid, a man with many talents. His day job consists of banking and advertising, while his true passion lies with the fashion industry. Reid has, with his sharp eye for talent and dedication for innovation, turned NYC Live! @ Fashion Week in Paris into an internationally recognized phenomenon. His approach isn’t just about showcasing fashion; it’s about telling stories that resonate across cultures, inspiring designers and audiences alike.
A night of creativity and spectacle at Hôtel Napoléon
Paris Fashion Week is known for its elegance and exclusivity. The show on March 7, 2025, showed us something new. NYC Live! @ Fashion Week in Paris brought a new pulse to the city, transforming the grandeur of Hôtel Napoléon into a runway charged with emotion, artistry, and raw creative energy.
The dream of bringing New York fashion to Paris started when a 24-year-old Reid visited Paris for 3 days and fell in love with the City. Years later he came back with an entourage of ideas and a plan: showcasing American designers on an international stage with an element of that New York City energy.
The venue, just steps from the Champs-Élysées, provided the perfect setting. Its art deco interiors, rich textures, and luxurious ambiance created a striking contrast to the bold, contemporary designs that took center stage. The atmosphere the day before the show was described by Reid as pure excitement: – “For me it felt like being a kid in a candy store.” As the first model stepped onto the runway, the room fell silent in anticipation—and then, as the music surged, the energy exploded.
The audience was captivated. The fluidity of movement, the dramatic silhouettes, the interplay of fabrics and light—it all combined to create an atmosphere where fashion became art in motion. Every collection had its own rhythm, its own voice, but together they formed a seamless celebration of diversity and innovation.
Norwegian models take the stage
Among the stunning lineup of models were some standout faces from Norway—Saba Hatzimarkos, Nora Emilie Nakken, and Valeriya Hjertenæs. These talented women brought their grace, confidence, and striking runway presence to the show, adding a distinct Nordic touch to the international stage.
Their participation highlighted how Scandinavian talent is making a strong mark in global fashion. Whether walking for cutting-edge designers or showcasing elegant couture, they carried each piece with a presence that commanded attention.
For the Norwegian models, the experience was more than just a job—it was a testament to hard work, resilience, and the power of international collaboration.
“In the beginning I did not plan on going because I was feeling under the weather, but I am glad I did because I met so many amazing people, some friends and some new.” – Nora Emilie Nakken
Wm Michael Reid was honored to feature and meet the Norwegian models that took the stage during NYC Live! @ Fashion Week in Paris. “Working with and getting to know these wonderful Norwegians has been amazing.”
Saba Hatzimarkos
Designers who redefined the runway
The night showcased a diverse range of designers, each bringing their own distinct vision and craftsmanship:
- Malcolm Staples (Washington, DC, USA) – Sleek, structured elegance in custom-made womenswear.
- Alvertis Alve’ Alexander & Jennifer Taylor (Houston, TX / New York, NY, USA) – Flowing, feminine silhouettes infused with intricate detailing.
- Berny Martin (Chicago, IL / Indianapolis, IN, USA) – A fusion of classic tailoring with a contemporary, edgy twist.
- John Naftali (New York, NY, USA) – Minimalist, refined pieces with sculptural precision.
- Ava Stringfellow (Miami, FL, USA) – Bold, vibrant collections capturing the spirit of resort-style glamour.
- Manish Vaid (Los Angeles, CA / Paris, France)– A breathtaking fusion of Indian craftsmanship and Western innovation.
Each designer brought something fresh to the runway, drawing inspiration from heritage, modern minimalism, and bold experimentation. The variety of styles on display demonstrated the global reach and diversity of fashion today.
A leader who values his team
As the models took their final walk and the applause filled the room, Wm. Michael Reid stepped forward—not to take credit, but to give it. With heartfelt gratitude, he thanked his team, the stylists, the coordinators, the technicians—everyone who had worked tirelessly behind the scenes. It was a rare moment in the fashion world, a reminder that true leadership isn’t about standing alone in the spotlight but about lifting others up. Reid himself had this to say about the moment: “The feelings you have after an event like this, it’s like a high. I remember before going up on that stage, the only thing going through my head was: Remember your lines!”
NYC Live! @ Fashion Week in Paris was more than just another runway event—it was a bold statement about the future of fashion. It proved that the strongest moments in fashion happen when different cultures, visions, and ideas collide. The night set a new benchmark for what a global fashion event could be: fearless, boundary-breaking, and deeply connected to the world around it.
Wm. Michael Reid had this to say about his future goals: “All I want to do is achieve greatness for those I currently work with, those I am going to work with in the future, and the ones I have not yet met, Paris was just the first stop.”
As fashion continues to evolve, becoming more diverse, more interconnected, and more exciting than ever, one thing is certain: this is only the beginning. For those who witnessed NYC Live! @ Fashion Week in Paris 2025, the memory will remain a powerful testament to what happens when creativity, collaboration, and passion come together.
Production Team NYC Live! @ Fashion Week in Paris
* Wm. Michael Reid, Executive Producer/Publicist
* Crystal Jones, Back of House Manager
* Michael Patrick, aka DJ Uneeq, Musical Director
* John W. Reid, Business Partner/Advisor/Security
* Monica Bakos, Style & Beauty Team Director
* Amber Marie Ocasio, Wardrobe Stylist
* Diana Massiera, Stage Manager
* Aaron Turpin, Model Coordinator
* Myriam Larrière, Publicist, Luxury Place Agency
* Reg Stringfellow, Photographer, B.Fly Photos
* Felipe Vasquez, Photographer, Flipz Photography
* Merson Narcisse, Photographer, Merson Narcisse Photography
* Ricky Rivera, Videographer, Runway Fashion Collective
* Stéphane Zion, Photographer, Stéph Images
On behalf of “NYC Live! @ Fashion Week in Paris” Fall/Winter 2025 Showcase — Friday, March 7th, 2025 — Hôtel Napoléon Champs-Élysées Paris — in Paris, France … I wish to give a very special “shout out” to our entire Style & Beauty Team as my way of thanking ALL of them for doing such an incredible job! – Wm. Michael Reid
