Bodega by V Brings Culture to the Catwalk With Corner Store Couture at NYFW

Bodega by V, created and founded by Veronica Torres, made its debut at New York Fashion Week with its first-ever curated runway show, Corner Store Couture. With 11 designers debuting this season’s collections, Torres didn’t just put on your average show; she put on a full spectacle that harnessed style, culture, and community.

The designer unveiled her latest collection, Alma, sharing during our recent sit-down that much of it was crafted in Puerto Rico—the very place that inspired it. Most of the pieces featured the brand’s signature corset silhouette, adorned with floral designs and sheer shawls that swayed like the island’s waterfalls.

What’s new for her is the introduction of a menswear ensemble, an ode to the Cuban-collared shirt and sharply tailored pants, staples of Latino culture where precise tailoring has long been celebrated as both a marker of style and identity.

The real star of the show? The grand finale mermaid bridal gown. As shiny as it is chic, the designer is slowly carving out a place for herself in bridal wear as well, with the callback to last year’s wet wedding dress.

A Love Letter to Matriarchs and Memory

After the final look, the designer stepped out to greet the crowd, sharing that the collection was “inspired by the colmados of the Caribbean and the bodegas of New York City, places that feel like home,” and described the pieces as a “love letter to the matriarchs” of her family.

She then shifted the spotlight to the 10 featured designers, whose names were also listed on the marqueta-style receipt program.

From Indian party wear to West African garments and sustainable bridal wear, the lineup of emerging designers included: Oxalis Bliss, Ketí, Foxglove Faeries, Mady Kelly, Eventually, Upcycling Diaries, Petite Delicates, and Alexandra June.

The runway show concluded with the final two designers, Sour Cherry and Svarini. 

We also met Sour Cherry at last year’s Hot Girl Market Runway Show, whose collection this year told a story. From the euphoric feel of getting ready for a night out to the blissful exhaustion of waiting for your ride home, the brand curated a piece for it all, complete with a playful, choreographed ending.

Svarini closed out the show with stunning beaded and sequined gowns and butterfly tops. The designs shimmered under the runway lights, blending craftsmanship with a sense of ethereal movement that left the audience captivated.

Act II: From Runway to Ready-to-Shop

Closing out Act I of the show, but the night was far from over. As Act II commenced, Torres and fellow designers pulled back the curtain, revealing all the looks that had just walked the runway, available for sale before they hit stores, giving the guests the ultimate insider opportunity.

While most attendees shopped, others mingled around The Walker Loft, connecting, discussing their favorite looks, and helping themselves to food prepared by Torres’ mom – because what’s a Latino gathering without food?

The After Party: Music, Dominoes, and Coco, Mango, Cherry

For the final act, a lively after-party captured the same spirit of community and celebration. The after party carried the same energy as the show, buzzing with music, dancing, and laughter. Guests circled the domino table for playful rounds that felt like home, while the ice truck dished out coco, mango, and cherry, adding a playful nod to the bodega.

On every chair, guests found handheld fans, a small but thoughtful touch that not only kept the crowd cool under the runway lights but doubled as a keepsake of the night. Just like the music, the food, the laughter, and the clothes, the fans were a reminder that every detail of Corner Store Couture was intentional, layered with culture and heart.

Veronica Torres created an experience that felt like home, one rooted in family, community, and celebration. And at one point, Torres promised this would not be the last Corner Store Couture show—and something tells us, she’s not wrong.