ATLFW 2025 Celebrates The Culture Of ATL [Exclusive]

From October 2 through 5, 2025, Atlanta Fashion Week (ATLFW) returned to Atlantic Station with four days of runway shows, retail activations, and cultural experiences designed to spotlight fashion’s emerging designers, leaders, and disruptors. Produced by RAGTRADE ATLANTA, ATLFW has evolved into more than just a series of shows; it’s an incubator for independent designers and a celebration of Atlanta’s rise as a creative capital.

This event showcases designs and sponsors that hone in on the city itself.

According to Atlanta Fashion Week organizers, this year’s format merges “The Shows” and “The Shops,” giving designers a direct-to-consumer pipeline while inviting audiences to experience fashion through commerce and culture.

The result was an ecosystem where storytelling meets shopping.

The weekend schedule was enriching from start to finish, packed with standout presentations that highlighted creativity and collaboration.

On Friday, the festivities kicked off at 3 p.m. with Verdict Still Out x Raquel the Label…

followed by Alani Taylor x Eli Kish by Tameka Raymond at 6 p.m…

and wrapped with a 9 p.m. showcase from AAkofii.

Saturday continued the momentum with GOAT by James King x Jai Lyle taking the stage at noon…

Made by Middle x Eddy Yung x BDR Black presenting at 3 p.m….

and Octavius Marsion x SARAYAA closing the early evening at 6 p.m. The weekend culminated in style with Adidas s/s 2026 bringing the night — and the celebration — to a powerful close at 9 p.m.

A Weekend of Power and Presence

Atlanta Fashion Week’s opening night honored retail visionary James Whitner of The Whitaker Group, the powerhouse behind A Ma Manière, Social Status, APB, and Prosper. Whitner’s work has redefined how fashion and activism coexist, making him the perfect honoree for a city rooted in both creativity and community.

Where Fashion and Function Collide

The week’s immersive pop-ups extended the runway into the streets. Attendees could observe an adidas Originals installation that honored ATL. Its doors opened its pop-up at 1380 Atlantic Drive NW, while The Shops at 231 18th Street NW transform into a marketplace for indie brands. On Sunday, Bloomingdale’s Lenox Mall hosted the ATLFW x Bloomingdale’s Pop-Up Edit from 11 a.m. to 7 p.m.

During the adidas Originals installation, agency representative Jules Pierrot explained the brand’s mission to blend creativity with education.

 “We created a design fellowship for students within the AUC,” Pierrot said.

“Atlanta and the AUC are connected — one can’t thrive without the other. We wanted to showcase that relationship through fashion, art, and music, while letting the public experience Spring/Summer 2026 pieces firsthand.”

Designers With Global Roots

Among the standout designers during ATLFW was Zainab Ali, founder of the luxury leather brand AAboux.

Originally an accountant, Ali discovered her creative calling after visiting Nigerian tanneries that supply leather to major European houses. 

“Our bags are sculpted like origami pieces and crafted by third-generation artisans in Nigeria,” Ali shared. “The handles mimic African head wraps, and each piece is a limited edition work of art.”

Another creative force is Bria Bryant, founder of Leier Fragrances, a brand born from nostalgia and self-expression featured at the ATLFW reception.

 “All of these fragrances are designed to be layered — hence the name Leier,” Bryant explained. “They represent the many layers we possess as humans. Today you might be a ‘Reign’ girl; tomorrow it’s ‘Rebel.’ They evolve with you.”

Her origin collection deconstructs the classic Halston scent into four distinct fragrances inspired by her childhood experiments with perfume and baby powder.

Partnerships That Push Culture Forward

ATLFW’s official partners include BMW, adidas, Bloomingdale’s, Clinique, IKEA, and Elaine Sterling Institute, with support from the City of Atlanta Mayor’s Office of Cultural Affairs and Fulton County Arts & Culture.

The event cements Atlanta as a global hub for creativity while feeding its economic ecosystem through designer income generation and brand activation.

For more information, visit www.atlantafashionweek.co/schedule.