If your fashion week feed felt like a massive blast from the past, you can thank True Religion. The iconic denim brand completely took over Flyfish for their “Iconography: That Was Then, This Is Now” event, effectively throwing the most talked-about party of New York Fashion Week. Blending nostalgic early-2000s energy with today’s top tastemakers, the night felt like a cultural handoff between the icons who built the Y2K aesthetic and the modern creators keeping it alive.
The energy inside was unmatched, largely because the guest list read like a who’s who of music, sports, and internet culture. Attendees wandering through the crowd might have spotted Afrobeats star Davido, creative Julez Smith, the Combs Twins, content creator Azzy Milan, or UFC legend Tyron Woodley. Between mixing drinks and checking out the scene, guests also got an exclusive peek at a gifting suite stacked with new pieces from True Religion’s Fall ‘26 Iconography Capsule the very line recently brought to life by campaign stars like Cash Cobain who was in the building alongside fellow heavyweights like Dave East, A Boogie wit da Hoodie, and Trinidad James, Shenseea, Shareef, Shaqir, and Myles O’Neal.
What really set the night apart, though, was the music. DJ Chron kept the room moving throughout the evening, with DJ MOS dropping in for a guest set—an effortless meeting of eras that matched the energy in the room. Dess Dior set the tone early with a high-energy performance, while Joey Bada$$ pulled up fresh off his sold-out run at the Blue Note. Then Fabolous surprised the crowd with an unannounced set. Just when the night seemed to have peaked, Ja Rule joined Fab at the DJ booth for “Ride for This,” sending the packed room into full nostalgia mode.
Beyond the star power, there was a surprisingly deep layer of New York history embedded into the night. Twenty-five years ago, spirit brand Hpnotiq was set to launch as the sponsor for Fabolous’ debut album party, an event that ultimately never happened. True Religion quietly completed a full-circle moment for the city. It was a genuine tribute to the enduring legacy of New York music and style.
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Presented by True Religion
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Felson Sajonas Managing Editor, Branded Content
Felson Sajonas is the Managing Editor of Branded Content at Hypebeast, overseeing high-impact campaigns and features that bridge editorial integrity with commercial strategy, connecting fashion and culture for a global audience. He plays a key role in shaping the platform’s voice through culturally driven storytelling and has led campaigns for brands including Nike, adidas, Oakley, Timberland, LEGO and more, spanning long-form features, interviews and social-first launches.
