Former New York Gov. Andrew Cuomo walked a runway at a bipartisan fashion event in lower Manhattan on Wednesday night, hours after the fatal shooting of conservative influencer Charlie Kirk earlier that day.
The event, billed as Style Across the Aisle, took place at the historic Surrogate's Court near City Hall and featured more than 30 current and former New York City and state officials modeling looks from designers across the city. The sold-out presentation, which charged roughly $300 a ticket, was organized by "The Political Personality" Skye Ostreicher and was intended to raise funds for Witness to Mass Incarceration, a nonprofit that provides housing, employment support and training for formerly incarcerated people.
Ostreicher told attendees she had learned of Kirk's death shortly before the show and addressed the issue when she opened the event, saying, "We're in a time where there's a ton of political hatred and political violence." Cuomo, who said he had learned of the shooting earlier in the day, issued a written statement that read, "Political violence is becoming too common, and too often celebrated. It must be universally condemned by everyone, everywhere."
The runway included a mix of elected officials and appointed public figures. Former Gov. David Patterson also modeled. Former U.S. Rep. Carolyn Maloney appeared in an all-black look by KZ K Studio. Assemblyman Eddie Gibbs — New York's first formerly incarcerated state legislator — and Councilwoman Julie Won, who wore a traditional Korean design, were among those who walked the catwalk; Ostreicher said two designers from the Witness art of tailoring program dressed models for the show.
Ostreicher described the event as "one of the only bipartisan events" and said her goal is to "humanize" political adversaries by bringing people together over fashion and relationship building before tackling more divisive topics. She said she was open to expanding the initiative beyond a yearly show.
Not all invited officials appeared on the runway. Mayor Eric Adams and state Assemblyman Zohran Mamdani both declined to model after RSVPing no, and some scheduled models missed their slots because they were voting across the street. Curtis Sliwa, a mayoral contender known for his signature red beret, was in the audience but did not model; Ostreicher's rule for participants was that they be currently or formerly elected or publicly appointed.
Adams's office pushed back in remarks to media, noting that the mayor hosted the inaugural event at Gracie Mansion last year and asserting in a statement, "There is no one who more defines the word fashion in government — from his walk to his talk — than the Mayor. ... As Cuomo walks the catwalk at this event, Mayor Adams will be hosting town hall meetings in the five boroughs."
The benefit highlighted the Witness program's two-year training in fashion, tailoring, merchandising and business for young adults with histories of incarceration. Organizers said proceeds would support those services and help integrate program designers and trainees into public presentations.
The show drew a cross-section of political and cultural figures, including writer Candace Bushnell and executives from Roc Nation, reflecting organizers' aim to create a civic-cultural moment that bridges partisan divides while supporting reentry programs. Cuomo's appearance positioned him visibly in the crowded field of New York mayoral hopefuls as the city heads into Fashion Week events and an increasingly competitive campaign season.