Authenticity Over Trends: What MEFeater’s Fashion Girl Summit Taught About Individuality

At the close of New York Fashion Week, MEFeater Fashion Girl Summit delivered a powerful message: “Your creativity is your superpower.” Held at Brooklyn’s waterfront Industry City, the summit brought together influential creators, industry leaders, and rising stars eager to explore how authenticity and collaboration can elevate personal brands and creative careers.

Headlined by keynote speaker and performer Cleotrapa, the event was filled with inspiration and insights, encouraging attendees to turn their ideas into action. Among the notable attendees were top influencers, talent managers, and executives from fashion, media, and marketing.

The summit featured media industry leaders including host Taylor La’Shay Mitchell, MEFeater CEO Gabrielle Amani, influencer Moe Diggs, designer Reema Idris, lifestyle creator Sagal Jama, and model Maysa Shems. Together, they lent their voices to dynamic discussions on the future of fashion, creativity, and collaboration.

A key message from the summit was the importance of community and authentic relationships. As Imani Moss, influencer and partnerships executive at Topicals, put it, “Community should be your main desire. You can conquer the world with that.” She emphasized that building meaningful connections—not just transactional ones—can lead to long-term success, whether through brand partnerships or creative collaborations.

Her advice? Approach networking with an open mind and genuine intention. You never know who you’re rubbing shoulders with, and fostering real relationships opens doors to unexpected opportunities.

YouTuber Allyiah Gainer, known as “Allyiah’s Face,” spoke about finding balance in the creative process. “I’m working on creating a more structured creative process,” she shared. “I’ve been doing this for ten years. My creative process is a little rough around the edges, but it’s working for me thus far.” 

While routines help refine creativity, she also highlighted that leaving room for spontaneity is just as important. The takeaway? Don’t feel pressured to have it all figured out—allow your creative journey to evolve naturally.

Imani’s call for authenticity stood out as one of the summit’s strongest messages. “I don’t believe in trends. People are searching for authenticity,” she said. In an industry where algorithms and viral moments often dictate content, Moss reminded creators that staying true to themselves will always resonate more deeply than chasing here-today, gone-tomorrow trends.

This sentiment was echoed by Allyiah, who credited her success to embracing her true self. “Be yourself because whatever makes you unique, there are so many people who would enjoy that,” she advised. “My success is strictly just because people connect with me as a human, and I think it’s a gift that I’ve been given.”

In today’s saturated digital world, authenticity truly sets creators apart. Be yourself, do you, and lean into what makes you unique. 

The final conversation between MEFeater CEO Gabrielle Amani and Cleotrapa reinforced the summit’s overarching theme: Creativity is your greatest asset. They discussed the importance of trusting your instincts and embracing the unpredictability of the creative journey. Cleotrapa’s high-energy performance closed the summit on an empowering note, reminding attendees to stay true to their vision.

The MEFeater Fashion Girl Summit was more than a celebration of fashion—it was a powerful reminder that in a world driven by trends, authenticity, community, and creativity are the keys to long-term success. Whether you’re a creator, entrepreneur, or someone seeking growth, the summit’s message was clear: build your community, embrace your process, and let your true self shine.