West Nyack, NY – Rockland Fashion Week will return to Palisades Center on Saturday, November 7, 2026, bringing runway presentations, live entertainment and local designers to the mall’s first level. The show is scheduled for 5:30 to 8:30 p.m. in front of H&M, near Macy’s.
Founder and designer Hope Wade discussed the event during an interview with Tom Ossa on the Rockland News Morning Show. Wade described this year’s show as its seventh and said the event continues to emphasize both creative talent and opportunities for people with different backgrounds, body types and levels of modeling experience.
Alongside professional models, Rockland Fashion Week has featured cancer survivors, autistic models and a model with Down syndrome, Wade said. The show also includes a range of clothing sizes, allowing audience members to see designs they might consider wearing themselves.
“We also train the models from the Rockland County area because we want to be sure that the county is represented,” Wade said.
That training can help participants develop confidence and pursue other opportunities. Wade recalled one young model whose early runway appearance led to further coaching and, eventually, an opportunity to travel to Paris.
Local designers are another central part of the event. Wade identified participants from New City and Haverstraw, along with her own Nyack-based business, Hope Wade Designs, at 23 North Broadway. Collections will include clothing for children and teenagers as well as other runway styles.
The event also draws participants from outside Rockland. According to Wade, models are traveling from Maryland, Pennsylvania, Florida and Texas to take part.
Entertainment will include Rockland saxophonist Herve Alexandre, whom Wade described as a returning performer and an audience favorite. She also said the program will include entertainment from VP Records.
For Wade, the idea behind Rockland Fashion Week grew out of her experience presenting designs at major fashion events, including shows in London and New York. Those opportunities required substantial investments, she said, prompting her to consider how a similar platform could showcase talent closer to home.
She initially set the idea aside because of the expense and planning involved. In 2019, however, she decided to move forward, organizing the first show in six weeks. That event sold out, Wade said, and Palisades Center subsequently contacted her.
Since then, the show has developed into a recurring event. Wade credited support from Rockland County tourism and the Village of Nyack with helping the broader effort, which also includes shopping activities involving Nyack businesses.
Saturday’s runway show offers three ticket categories: VIP, preferred seating and general admission.
According to Wade, VIP admission includes seating in the first two rows, a gift bag and a cocktail reception at Red Crab Juicy Seafood on the mall’s fourth floor before the runway program. VIP ticket holders receive reception details separately and are then escorted downstairs for the show.
Preferred seating includes a smaller gift bag and seats closer to the runway than general admission. Wade said the fashion show will begin promptly at 5:30 p.m.
Although the runway presentations require coordination among designers, models and backstage staff, Wade said the audience experience is intended to be welcoming. Attendees do not need an elaborate outfit to participate.
“Everybody [has] a sense of style,” she said, explaining that guests can dress comfortably or choose something more expressive.
Rockland Fashion Week takes place Saturday, November 7, from 5:30 to 8:30 p.m. on Level 1 of Palisades Center, in front of H&M near Macy’s.