On May 17, the Lower East Side in Manhattan pulsed with femme-laced grit as Emerson Isa launched her debut collection, Girls to the Front, with an event at Pianos, a storied venue on Ludlow Street. The night unfolded with a live performance by The Dutch Kills, the premiere of the collection’s campaign film, and an in-person pop-up, creating a space that blurred the lines between party, showcase, and branded experience.
The capsule itself is a tightly edited expression of Isa’s emerging aesthetic: minimal silhouettes, sheer layers, and a palette that stays close to black, blush, and white. Across five distinct looks featured in the campaign, the collection channels a tension between softness and structure, drawing on the spirit of riot grrrl without relying on cliché.
Pieces like the Naomi Skirt, a ruched lace column paired with a black longsleeve replete with metallic bangles and chained belts, or the Madeleine Mini Dress, piped in pink and paired with opera gloves, ground the capsule in contrast and clarity. There’s a logic to the collection: garments that flirt with fragility but hold a decisive edge.
Throughout the night, guests moved between moments, film, music, and fashion, held together by a shared tone: confident, pared-back intentionality, with a hint of raw unabashed riot grrrl energy. The event also served a deeper purpose: 100% of ticket proceeds were donated to Girls Inc. of NYC, a nonprofit supporting girls and gender-expansive youth through mentorship, education, and leadership development.
With Girls to the Front, Emerson Isa Kobak positions her label at the intersection of fashion and community. The collection resists spectacle in favor of clarity—offering concise silhouettes and considered references, while the launch itself redirected attention toward collective support. It’s an opening statement that signals not just aesthetic intent, but a brand with purpose.
Photos: @espcamera and @avabogdan
Cody Rooney is the Editor in Chief and senior contributor at LIMINUL.
He is a PhD candidate, digital content specialist, writer, editor, multi-media artist, and photographer.