New York Fashion Week began this season not with a runway, but with a story. On September 9th, ELYSIAN Impact, in collaboration with Runway 7, unveiled its behind-the-scenes documentary of the second annual CatWalk FurBaby fashion show at Sony Hall. With a line wrapping down 46th Street before the doors even opened, anticipation set the tone for an unforgettable evening that blended glamour, philanthropy, and vision.
Inside, guests gathered over festive cocktails as the venue filled with distinguished attendees, including Consuelo Vanderbilt, event sponsor Carmel Fauci, Ramona Singer, Prince Mario-Max Schaumburg-Lippe, and Leesa Rowland. The air carried both the buzz of celebration and the weight of purpose. This was not just fashion for fashion’s sake—it was fashion with impact.
As the lights dimmed, ELYSIAN Publisher and filmmaker Karen Floyd took the stage, opening the night with a reflection on CatWalk FurBaby’s extraordinary rise. What began two years ago as a pioneering effort to merge fashion with animal welfare has since become the official philanthropic kickoff to New York Fashion Week. With the third annual show on the horizon for 2026, Floyd’s words reminded guests that the evening was both a celebration of what has been accomplished and a glimpse into the future of what is yet to come.
Among the most compelling voices of the night was Dr. Christina Rahm of The Root Brands and DRC Ventures. She spoke of her groundbreaking scientific research and how it connects seamlessly with ELYSIAN’s mission to inspire women globally. Her journey led to the creation of Merci Dupre Clothiers, a fashion line designed not only with style in mind, but with the revolutionary purpose of shielding wearers from harmful environmental toxins. The alignment of science, innovation, and fashion underscored the deeper mission of the evening: the power of women to redefine industries while serving humanity.
The 30-minute documentary itself offered an intimate look behind the curtain of CatWalk FurBaby 2024. Created by a dedicated team from Spartanburg, South Carolina, the film highlighted how charities across the nation came together to raise awareness, funds, and impact. At its heart, the film shone a light on New York’s participating charities and one particularly moving story—that of Percy, a dog who strutted down the runway only to be adopted by Patricia Silverstein, co-founder and president of The Silverstein Dream Foundation. Their bond, sparked by a moment of serendipity on the catwalk, perfectly embodied the event’s mission: lives forever changed through compassion.
In a gesture as generous as it was groundbreaking, ELYSIAN announced it is granting documentary film rights to all 21 charities who participated in the 2024 CatWalk FurBaby show. These organizations will now have the opportunity to host their own watch parties, using the film as a fundraising tool to continue their missions well beyond Fashion Week.
The evening concluded with spirited fundraising efforts, conversations about future collaborations, and an unmistakable excitement about what 2026 will bring. Under the elegant guidance of emcee Diana Watson, the night was a balance of looking back with pride and forward with optimism.
At its essence, the event proved that New York Fashion Week is no longer just about hemlines and haute couture. Thanks to ELYSIAN Impact, it is also about harnessing influence, storytelling, and creativity to inspire change. And as guests departed into the city night, one sentiment lingered: this was more than a beginning—it was a movement.