NYFW SS25: Michael Fausto

With a tagline like “The Dichotomy of Myth & Modernity” there is something to be said about the evolving creations of Michael Fausto. The brand has previously dressed celebrities like Adele, Halle Bailey and Laverne Cox. Naturally, we were excited to not only experience Fausto’s creations in person, but also to speak with the designer about his specific vision for the brand and its forward movement. Debuting a new collection on September 10th at New York Fashion week, attendees became witness to the allure of “Castellammare”. 

Michael Fausto was originally trained in the Ateliers of Oscar de la Renta, Marchesa and Badgley Mischka. Over time Fausto has honed his individual creative direction but also tactile skill that is necessary in order to push through the trials and tribulations of making a name for yourself. After graduating from the Fashion Institute of Technology, he worked for many prominent fashion houses in New York. Many of his designs have been featured in the New York Times, Elle Magazine, WWD and otherwise. 

Previous collections leaned on mixed materials, flounced silhouettes and works that seemingly bloom off of the model. Playful feather cuffs compliment refined collared dresses, bright colours and costume-y sentiment in the shapes formed on its wearers. Variety is Fausto’s bread and butter, slinky body-tight dresses sit amongst playful patterns and over exaggerated bow-back tops alongside whimsical beaded mermaids and butterflies. 

The collection was dynamic and consisted of twenty-five varied looks all contained in the fantasy world of “Castellammare”. The event took place in the Friedman Benda Gallery. A space that would have otherwise absorbed smaller, less awe-drawing collections, became the perfect setting for Fausto’s incredibly colourful and dynamic collection. 

Models stood across the venue draped in decadent velvet, chiffon and lace. No one piece was like the rest, allowing for its’ wearer to insert themself into the story wherever most suits. Some works were more costume and special event specific. Works included a 3D printed set of armour as a metal bleeding heart sat upon a deep red velvet bustier. All the while, white and black colorblock dresses sashayed to the tune of onlookers as guests walked amongst the works.

Fausto is on a quest to create clothing which exalts women, paying value to each iteration of their experience and the myriad roles they occupy throughout their lives. The garments he presents, seemingly do all of the above. We spoke with the designer to attain a fuller vision of the collection and the steps which precluded its official debut. 

How did it feel to be on the official lineup of New York Fashion Week this year? 

“Validation. I started working on my own brand around 2019 and then covid happened which resulted in us losing traction. It was hard to keep going but we’ve continued to persevere since then. 

Making small advancements, this past year has been really exciting. Specifically, we dressed Adele for her Vegas residency. Now we’ve got to this point and it feels like all of that work has meant something.”

I wanted to ask a little more about the vision behind this collection in particular?

“This collection is inspired by Cicily. Our muse is sent there by her family because she’s a party girl debutant and they’re sick of her shit. 

They send her to her aunt and uncle’s palazzo. The collection takes you on her journey of going to beach clubs, hanging out with 1… 2… 3 boyfriends, chain smoking cigarettes. 

As she stays there, rummaging through storage, snooping around this palazzo, she begins discovering heirlooms, relics and myths that belong to the island. These discoveries are then incorporated into her own style, adding texture and depth.”

Additionally what direction do you imagine the brand to continue going in? 

“Going forward… Listen, I’m an Italian boy from New Jersey. I’m always going to be inspired by that culture and heritage. Not to say every collection will be that, but I like to keep it colourful, playful. There’s a sensual aspect to it, but it needs to have that depth, texture and mythology behind it.” 

Your brand allows a lot of room for play as well as refined touches. I’ve noticed that previous collections feature larger than life motifs of florals and otherwise. Where do you draw the line between sophistication and fun? 

“There’s so much clothing out there, there’s so many designers. I think that it’s important to have a through line. What’s the point of doing anything if there’s not something interesting or unique that makes you gravitate towards it, that makes you have an emotion? Regardless, there needs to be quality that makes you want to walk up to it. 

There are some pieces I’ve leaned more into for fantasy. I’ve 3D printed armour and incorporated pearl shell beading. Those pieces are the building blocks of the fantasy, from there, you find a trickle down effect. 

Despite this you see it all in the same vision. It’s world building - I’m always living in my head creating my own story. So I’ve put it out there and hopefully people like it.”

If there’s something that you could say to your younger self, what would it be? 

“Be good to your mother.”

The brand was launched in 2019, attaining acknowledgment for his whimsical forms and playful structures which seem to continuously evolve within each forthcoming collection. Recent designs have been spotted on Selling Sunset’s Christine Quinn, Pose’ MJ Rodriguez among many other noteworthy pop culture heavyweights. With an aim of serving the “modern heroine” we see the collision of myth and modernity come to life. These works dance in the dichotomy of the two worlds, creating avenues to understand each piece as modern structures compliment their fantastical colour palettes and patterns.