On April 17th, the rooftop of The Delancey was transformed into a charged, immersive runway environment as Highest on the Runway made its official New York City debut. With doors opening at 6:00 PM and showtime at 7:30 PM, the evening introduced a new era of fashion presentation—one that exists beyond the traditional runway, merging sound, space, and culture into a singular experience.
Directed by Cristina “CRISP” Plinio and co-hosted by The Homies Only, The Elevated Underground show was raw, intentional, and unapologetically disruptive. Known for redefining runway environments in Miami, the platform’s expansion into New York marked a pivotal moment, positioning itself at the intersection of fashion, nightlife, and cannabis culture.
Creative direction was led by Brian Wade, whose cinematic approach shaped the visual language of the entire night, with creative visual producers Dom Penso, Jaime Quispe, and Mike Kelly, who ensured a seamless execution across all elements. Production management was led by the multi-faceted Silvana Avignoni, with production assistance by Ruby Cardenas, bringing together a tightly coordinated team behind the scenes.
The show’s beauty direction reinforced its distinct identity, with key hair led by Latto Method and key makeup by Michelle Venta of Skin Forward Artistry, alongside makeup assistant Daniela Sivi. Wardrobe was executed with precision by Angelina Martinez and Miranda Ynastrilla.
The runway featured a custom collaborative collection with VlackBook, Denim & Archives and Nadir Saeed Art, bringing together structured Wall Street and Old School Hip Hop-inspired narratives that aligned seamlessly with the show’s underground yet elevated tone. This would be the first-ever debut of a Highest on the Runway collection, designed by CRISP herself since her premier show in 2023. The collection ranged from ready-to-wear merchandise to its designer pieces, now available for sale online and at the Denim and Archives showroom.
Music played a central role in creating a sensory atmosphere, with runway music by Xevios in collaboration with Frankie Cordoba, delivering a soundscape that moved in sync with the pacing of the show. The energy carried into the night with a live DJ set by AG From The 303, while Sanja Ganja took on the role of MC, guiding the guests through the experience with her engaging presence. Following the runway was an exclusive performance by Miami-based duo CVNTSPIRACY and Latin Pop Singer Sasha Prendes, who brought energy and excitement to the entire audience.
Positioned as a true smoke show in both aesthetic and experience, Highest on the Runway New York 2026 pushed boundaries, the first show to smoke cannabis on the runway (est 2023) and now to integrate cannabis cannabis consumption elements within a high-fashion runway setting in New York City for its models as well as its live audience. This was not an accessory to the show, but rather an intentional layer of the environment—fully embedded into the visual and cultural identity of the night.
Brand integration played a key role in shaping the experience. Alibi New York served as the official runway sponsor, featuring curated products by 5 Boro, which seamlessly incorporated into the model’s presence. Within the rooftop lounge, Storz & Bickel presented their signature Volcano display, offering a refined, design-forward consumption experience that complemented the Elevated Underground aesthetic.
Partners included Mothership Glass, Terp Basel Miami, Five Boro, Velvet Velour, Smoke Show Co, Sanja Ganja, The Highly Connected, and Gastronomy, each contributing to the layered, community-driven energy that defined the night.
The event and runway were captured by Sage Mercado Fogel of Aurora Haus, preserving the atmosphere, movement, and impact of the production through her lens. Bad Hombre Films provided coverage of all the action behind the scenes.
As Highest on the Runway continues to expand into major cultural markets, its New York debut stands as a defining moment—introducing a format that challenges the boundaries of traditional fashion shows and replaces them with something more immersive, more intentional, and more reflective of the evolving cannabis landscape. The only question remains: Where will they go next?
Follow Highest on the Runway
www.gastronomy.media/highestontherunway
