Amidst the unfamiliar chaos of her very first New York Fashion Week, Dominican singer Yendry found solace in the Dembow blasting through the speakers at the Luar afterparty. The 29-year-old, who was born in Santo Domingo and raised in Turin, Italy, is continually shaped by her Dominican heritage, both in her life and her career. She speaks fondly of her visits to the Dominican Republic, of the unmistakable sense of home, the depth of her Latin community. It’s no surprise that Yendry found time in her busy schedule to revel in the distinctly Latin energy that filled the room at Luar’s Fashion Week-closing show. 

Throughout the week, the rising voice was able to meet some of the designers who are bringing their Latin culture out of their homes and onto the runways. From Willy Chavarria to Luar’s own Raúl Lopez, this season has seen a surge in notability for designers of color, who are paying homage to their backgrounds in the presentation of their collections, much to the delight of audience members like Yendry. 

Whether it was fueled by the electric Dembow beats reverberating through the afterparty or Lopez’s neighborhood-inspired designs lining the Luar catwalk, the sense of community was palpable. Lucky for us, Yendry was there to eternalize this feeling, capturing her Luar experience in an exclusive photo diary.

Check out some of Yendry’s favorite moments during her get-ready process for the grand finale of NYFW with rising brand Luar.

“The glam process is always fun for me. I have to admit I usually do my own makeup, but for the [Luar show] I worked with this amazing makeup artist [named] Molly. It was great because I got the chance to sit back and let her take creative control over the look.”

“When I have the opportunity to be extra and [indulge] in a daring moment, I take it. So, we went for a [statement] red lip. I’m someone who doesn’t really care about the rules or trends and I experiment a lot. I’m a new artist and I am allowing myself the space to find [my rhythm] in terms of my [look]. As for my hair, my curls are very special to me. It’s a part of my culture and who I am, and I don’t let anyone touch them. I’ve spent my entire life with my curls so I know how to work with them best. ” 

“What I like about New York Fashion Week is the energy of course. It’s intense but you are able to have these moments with people on a human level. It was not too structured, you know? It was not too isolating compared to fashion week in other cities. That energy definitely [translated] into my look. Outerwear is always important for me, I like oversized, long, and bold colored coats and jackets. Especially growing up in Turin, which is a very cold city in Italy, I [found that] outerwear was a staple in my [wardrobe]. I’m also always attracted to mixing things, taking pieces of my [roots] in Italy and Santo Domingo and combining it with my [experiences] in NYC to [influence] my personal style. I like the mix of elegance and street style with [a hint of] tom boy.”

“Latin people have this sense of community, it’s just a part of our DNA. Every time I go back to Santo Domingo, it feels like I never left and like nothing has changed.  No matter how old you get, you visit your auntie’s house and everyone is there, your cousins, your [grandparents], I mean everyone. In this culture, you are never by yourself, we have each other. That was the feeling that both the Luar show and the after party [embodied]. The room was filled with this vibe of support and togetherness, all for a talented designer who is taking inspiration from the culture and bringing it to [the mainstream]. It felt like home and I was actually able to link up with a lot of people. I met Honey Balenciaga and she was teaching me how to pose and vogue.”