Every Fashion Week, I look forward to going what I call “runway hopping,” rushing from show to show to watch collections showcased. New shows come up each season, but there’s always one runway that stays consistent on my schedule: Sherri Hill. The Spring/Summer ‘19 Collection presented this year upgraded the brand to the next level: “We mixed it up this year,” Hill, herself, admitted to me. “We started the show with little retro, beaded, glitzy dresses, almost from the 90's, and then we transitioned into sort of a Boho look, and then full-on evening wear. We have a bit of a mix.” Hill credits the sudden change to the way in which “the company has grown to be more diversified. We do a lot of different looks. The Sherri girl does a lot of different things and we want to dress her for all of them.” But through it all, the Sherri girl always stays true to herself: “She’s exuberant, fun, and enjoys life,” said Hill.

Backstage at Gotham Hall, models buzzed around eagerly in white lace robes with tassels on the sleeves as they waited for hair and makeup. “They always do everything really nice for us,” expressed Julie Furman, who was first hired at a casting call for Sherri Hill at last year’s New York Fashion Week. “They make us feel like queens with these robes.” Scarlett Leithold, who has modeled for the brand for a very long time, agreed: “Sherri Hill is definitely the most glamorous job I have...getting dressed up and wearing sparkly dresses is really fun.” Miss Universe Philippines 2018 Catriona Gray had not worked with the brand before, but it didn’t take her long to recognize how special it is. “This is my first time working with them, and it's been such a wonderful experience. Everyone's really sweet on the team, and their collection's amazing.” Her favorite piece? “I have this tangerine sorbet piece with a stoned bodice and organza skirt. It's really beautiful and I love the color.” Model Elizabeth Turner had a different favorite look: “I’m wearing a really cool piece [on the runway]. The under part is a bodysuit and it has a skirt over it,” she explained. “I’ve never seen a bodysuit as [part of] a prom dress, so I like it a lot.”

The actual runway, which started punctually, as usual, was vibrant yet elegant, with each model displaying boundless confidence through the fashion they sported. My favorite look was a one-shoulder grey gown with a fabric train. The model lifted the train as if it were wings, and at one point, she even lifted her head to the ceiling as a demonstration of true freedom in her own skin.

Following the runway, celebrities raved about the new collection. “It’s whimsy, it’s beautiful, it’s a fantasy,” exclaimed Marilu Henner, an actress famous for her role in Taxi. “It always [gives me] feeling of when I was a little girl and wanted to go to a ball or a cocktail party...this is what I imagined wearing. There’s something very special about [Sherri Hill].” Teen actress Talin Silva from the popular Brat web series Chicken Girls agreed: “Honestly, everything about Sherri Hill is so amazing. I love the work they put into [their collection] with all the sequins and everything. It makes it look so stunning, especially with the lights and everything. It was so amazing.” As guests started to leave the event space and hail cabs for their next Fashion Week endeavors, teen YouTuber and singer Ruby Jay summed up the collection at this season’s Sherri Hill show best: “There’s a dress for every girl. It’s just perfect for everyone.”