Being backstage at New York Fashion Week is a big deal for local upstate designer, Va’Ceia Payne.

Her designs have graced many runways before, but she says showing her collection during one of fashion’s most important events is career changing.

“Being in New York Fashion Week is the best place for exposure and a great investment,” she said.

An investment she didn’t have at first, but through an emerging artist program called The Model Experience, she got her shot.

“They sent me an email saying we’re going to give you a spot in this show for free,” she said. “I was like they love me.”

Her collection was part of their 2022 show. The company highlight designers, models and other creative projects from around the country to promote inclusivity and equality in the fashion industry.

She says the industry evolve to reflect more people of color is refreshing and necessary.

We first introduced you to Vacia through another local program called Mission Accomplished. They take a similar approach to nurturing diverse talent. She said if it weren’t for programs like these, it would be much harder to get her foot in the door.

Va’Ceia walks it like she talks it. She recruited some of the same stylist that came up with her in that local program.

She hopes more Fashion Week productions around the world will choose to diversify their shows, teams and talent too.