As the fashion world turns its attention to New York City for one of the most important events of the global style calendar, rising model Yumi Azeiko, a TeamFTC talent represented by FTC Publications, is preparing for a defining weekend in her career. Azeiko is set to walk in two highly anticipated shows during New York Fashion Week (NYFW)—a dual appearance that highlights both her personal rise and the growing influence of the FTC Publications talent network.
On Friday, September 13, 2025, Azeiko will take the stage in The Bomb Fashion Show presented by Fashion Bomb Daily, where she will represent the designer Aaokofii in a showcase hosted by award-winning actress Meagan Good. Then, on Saturday, September 14, 2025, she will appear in Natalia Fedner’s official runway presentation, produced by Runway 7. This slot caps off the designer’s long-awaited New York Fashion Week debut at Sony Hall.
Together, these appearances position Azeiko as a model to watch, offering her a platform alongside some of the most innovative voices shaping contemporary fashion.
The Bomb Fashion Show: Spotlight on Emerging Talent
Founded by journalist and media entrepreneur Claire Sulmers, Fashion Bomb Daily has become a leading online authority on multicultural fashion, highlighting designers of color, celebrity style, and beauty trends often overlooked by mainstream outlets. Over the years, its Bomb Fashion Show has carved out a reputation as a high-energy runway event where established and emerging designers alike can present their work before packed crowds.
On September 13, the spotlight will shine on Aaokofii, the designer whom Azeiko will represent on the runway. While Aaokofii has maintained a relatively independent profile compared to other NYFW mainstays, the label is known for avant-garde aesthetics, intricate detail, and bold silhouettes that blend wearable art with high fashion sensibility.
Adding Hollywood star power to the evening, Meagan Good has been confirmed as the official host. Known for her roles in films such as Think Like a Man and television series including Harlem and Californication, Good has long been admired as a fashion icon in her own right. Her involvement with the show underscores the growing synergy between celebrity culture and runway presentations, where recognizable faces can amplify a designer’s visibility.
The 2025 edition of The Bomb Fashion Show is presented by Mielle Organics, a leading Black-owned beauty brand founded by Monique Rodriguez. With its headquarters in Illinois and a strong global retail presence, Mielle Organics’ involvement reflects the ongoing integration of beauty and fashion in live showcase experiences. The event is being staged at Willow Hall in Brooklyn, a venue that has emerged as a vibrant hub for cultural and creative programming.
For Yumi Azeiko, walking in such a show provides a distinctive platform: one that merges artistry, inclusivity, and entertainment. “The Bomb Fashion Show is where creativity meets community,” Sulmers has said of the event, describing it as a launchpad for new designers and a celebration of cultural influence in fashion.
Natalia Fedner and Runway 7: Closing Night Elegance
The very next evening, Azeiko’s presence will be felt at Sony Hall, where designer Natalia Fedner will present her latest collection under the official Runway 7 program. Scheduled for Saturday, September 14, 2025, at 9:00 PM, Fedner’s show is one of the final presentations on the Runway 7 calendar, giving it added weight and visibility.
Natalia Fedner is a name already well-established in celebrity circles. Born in Chernivtsi, Ukraine, and raised in the United States, she graduated from Parsons School of Design in New York and Parsons Paris. Over the course of her career, she has become renowned for her groundbreaking use of textiles, particularly her patented six-way stretch metal fabric, which has been worn by stars ranging from Beyoncé and Kim Kardashian to Jennifer Lopez and Cardi B.
In 2025, Fedner’s innovative vision was recognized by the Fashion Group International Rising Star Awards, where she was honored in the eveningwear category. Known for pushing the boundaries of material science in fashion, her designs often merge industrial strength with delicate craftsmanship, creating pieces that drape like fabric yet gleam like jewelry.
Runway 7 Productions, the platform producing Fedner’s NYFW debut, has become an incubator for both emerging and established designers. Unlike traditional fashion week presentations, Runway 7 emphasizes inclusivity, diversity, and accessibility, providing opportunities for designers across the spectrum to present at New York’s iconic venues. By closing out its September 14 lineup with Fedner, the organization underscores her growing prominence in both design innovation and fashion storytelling.
For Azeiko, being selected to walk in Fedner’s debut is both an honor and a career milestone. The runway at Sony Hall, with its historic stage and cutting-edge production technology, will spotlight Fedner’s craftsmanship while giving models like Azeiko the chance to embody the elegance and power of the designer’s vision.
Yumi Azeiko: TeamFTC’s Rising Star
Yumi Azeiko is more than an emerging talent—she is a model nurtured under the umbrella of FTC Publications’ TeamFTC program, a longstanding media and talent organization headquartered in Atlanta, Georgia. Since its founding in 1988, FTC Publications has expanded its reach across media, publishing, and talent development, becoming known for supporting voices in fashion, entertainment, and the arts.
The TeamFTC program provides models with industry guidance, exposure, and access to opportunities across high-profile productions like New York Fashion Week. Azeiko’s selection for back-to-back shows is a testament not only to her personal dedication and talent but also to FTC Publications’ reputation for cultivating talent capable of thriving on major platforms.
FTC Publications CEO Warith Niallah spoke to Azeiko’s impact and promise, saying:
“Yumi is an epitome of excellence, landing modeling assignments on her own with ease. It’s a pleasure to bring her story to the public.”
This endorsement reflects both the pride and support of the organization that continues to stand behind her as she expands her presence on the international stage.
Her dual bookings during one of the busiest weeks in global fashion speak to her versatility and appeal. The Bomb Fashion Show offers her the chance to embody the daring, experimental edge of Aaokofii’s work, while Natalia Fedner’s runway requires the grace and poise demanded by couture eveningwear.
This range demonstrates Azeiko’s adaptability as a model—an increasingly crucial skill in today’s fashion industry, where versatility across editorial, commercial, and high-concept runway is key to long-term success.
The Larger Context: Fashion Week in Transition
New York Fashion Week, one of the “Big Four” global fashion weeks alongside Paris, Milan, and London, has undergone significant changes in the past decade. Once known primarily for its exclusive invitations and high-society attendees, NYFW has embraced digital technology, celebrity culture, and cross-industry collaborations.
Platforms like Runway 7 and events such as The Bomb Fashion Show represent this evolution. By offering spaces where designers of color, independent labels, and experimental voices can share the stage with established luxury houses, these productions embody the democratization of fashion.
Furthermore, the involvement of celebrities such as Meagan Good and the sponsorship of brands like Mielle Organics highlight the increasing convergence between entertainment, beauty, and fashion. These alliances not only expand audiences but also bring fashion week closer to broader popular culture.
For Yumi Azeiko, stepping into this moment means more than walking in garments—it means becoming part of a movement that is redefining what it means to be a model in the 21st century.
Looking Ahead
As the lights dim at Willow Hall on September 13 and Sony Hall on September 14, the impact of Yumi Azeiko’s dual appearances will resonate beyond the runway. For designers like Aaokofii and Natalia Fedner, models like Azeiko are the interpreters who bring sketches and fabrics to life. For audiences, her presence is part of the spectacle that makes New York Fashion Week one of the most-watched style events in the world.
Though it remains to be seen what future opportunities these shows will bring, Azeiko’s trajectory is unmistakably upward. By anchoring herself in two of the week’s most distinctive productions, she has positioned herself at the intersection of innovation, inclusivity, and artistry—qualities that will continue to define fashion for years to come.
