Richie Rich makes a fun and nostalgic return to the NYFW runway.

With his new Richerette collection, the Club Kid icon expresses his timeless love of fashion.

Club Kids legend, pop culture icon and designer Richie Rich ended his years-long hiatus from the fashion world on February 11 at BKLYN Studios with the debut of his new eponymous ‘Richerette’ collection. Rich’s contagious positive energy spread like wildfire backstage to models, make-up artists and hairstylists, instilling the carefree playfulness of his collection to all involved.

“It’s crazy, the vibes it gives off,” model Jessica Haney said. “He is such a humble, amazing person. He’s just uncompromisingly on his own, and there should be more people like him.”

The entire audience paused as Rich blasted through the backstage frenzy before the show. With a smile on his face, he immediately hugged everyone he knew and began to finish his collection.

The walls of BKLYN Studios shone with light reflecting off the Richerette sign that illuminated the runway. Fleetwood Mac’s “Go Your Own Way” resounded throughout the room as the first model stepped out pompous, wearing a black halter-neck dress and neon cheetah-print scarf, fishnet tights, black platform boots and a lapel cap. She seemed to be blindly reaching into her closet and throwing on the first clothes her hands touched, but the outfit seemed fluid and deliberately ridiculous.

“After everything that is happening in the world, I called the collection fun. I want to make people happy and smile,” Rich said. “Fashion is like a movie for me. It’s like a record, like listening to a song that saves the world and gives you some kind of energy.”

Richie’s collection was just fun. The rest of the show featured a similarly eclectic look. A black robe, bleached pink and yellow, was paired only with underwear and high leather boots. Sequined and sheer dresses fluttered gracefully down the runway. A neon pom-pom cardigan dangled lazily over his boxers. One model held a soft toy while walking, while another opened a bright red fan as she posed for photographers. Each look uniquely exuded a playful silliness that transcended the seriousness of a typical fashion show and showcased Rich’s boundless imagination.

Despite each look’s distinctly eclectic style, the shoes were the same, with sneakers, inline skates, or leather boots completing almost every look. Glitter dresses and sparkly jumpsuits were paired with sparkly neon tennis shoes or black high top sneakers. The contrast felt like a nod to the Rich’s Club Kid days in the ’90s, when he and dozens of other LGBTQ+ icons ruled New York’s nightlife with their legendary, culture-defining fashion and standout personalities.

“It’s like bringing in modern queerness, but with Club Kid queerness,” said model Preston Fox. “Today, 30 years later, it’s still very much part of the zeitgeist, so it’s very interesting to bring it all together.”

The collection caused laughter, smiles and enthusiastic exclamations of the public. Fashion show goers usually watch every look with an analytical eye, but Rich’s show proved that fashion can revive that childish glee we still cling to.

“It was very organic,” said visual artist Kendario La’Pier. “It’s not intrusive, but at the same time it’s just really fun and cute.”

With this definitive return of the Richie Rich show, “Richerette” seemed to be preaching about not taking life too seriously, but instead enjoying the ride, living in the moment, and above all, having fun.

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