For residents in New York City this evening, they may have seen the Empire State Building alight in the most brilliant hue of greenish-blue. Atop of the iconic monument, co-CEO and co-founder of buy-now-pay-later platform Afterpay Nick Molnar marked the return of the city’s economy with lights in a “Afterpay Bondi Mint” color. For the occasion, the 31-year-old finance mogul was accompanied by fellow Australian Naomi Watts.
The actress – who counts leading roles in the likes of Impossible, Insurgent, Penguin Bloom and Gypsy – paid homage to seventies glamour in a bronze Oscar De La Renta suit. The event also marked the first time New York Fashion Week had returned to in-person runway shows since February 2021. Mere weeks before the world plunged into an indefinite lockdown.
“NYFW and LFW are such moments of hope where we can literally turn the lights back on,” Molnar told GRAZIA in a recent interview.
“You think about the impact that NYFW has on the New York economy: it contributes about $US900 million ($AU1.23 billion) in jobs, in tourism, in trade etc.,” explains Molnar. “It’s been devastating times. But to be able to bring a consumer base to New York – a consumer that is so excited to meet brands and shop and start to get their lives back on track – is a real privilege.”
In May, NYFW producer IMG announced a multi-year deal with the platform.
The event which kicked off on Wednesday was opened by Collina Strada Spring/Summer 2022 in a buzzy, inclusive and Gen Z-driven show – a fitting start to the week as the future of fashion. Christian Siriano followed with lots of volume (we’d expect nothing less) while day one of the event saw color make a return to our eyelids.
Coach, Rodarte, Anna Sui, Thom Browne, Khaite and Tom Ford will follow this weekend. Stay tuned.
