Petra Stellam Brings Texas Craftsmanship to New York

From Houston to Manhattan, Petra Stellam brought its growing community with it for their New York City debut. The brand presented its FW26 runway show, titled “What Makes You Tailored,” at Maxwell Social, an 18th century inspired bar tucked inside Tribeca brownstone. On March 14 at 3 p.m., 25 looks unfolded in an intimate, almost cinematic setting, each piece 100 percent handmade and rooted in the craftsmanship and quiet sophistication that define the label.

At the heart of the collection is not only meticulous design, but a tightly knit team and network led by founder and creative director Luiz Ruiz.

“It’s a lot of seeing similar faces in the same circles and, you know, having repeated conversations until it just aligns perfectly,” Ruiz said. “It’s a huge weight off my shoulders. This is absolutely insane. I'm just happy.”

In the hour leading up to Petra Stellam’s show, backstage buzzed with an electric mix of adrenaline and anticipation, conversations constantly looping back to shared roots in Texas. The energy exposed that this wasn’t just a production, but a reunion of collaborators, friends, and longtime supporters who had grown alongside the brand. Especially after staging its first two runway presentations in its home base of Houston in 2022 and 2024, this New York showing felt like a declaration and turning point for Petra.

“This is a full circle moment just because I worked with Petra before back in Houston, Texas,” model Kellida Jokudu said. “For us to be back in New York City is so amazing and just for him to have me in it, I’m so grateful, I’m so happy.”

The foundation of the collection centered on dissecting tailoring and core garments. Petra voiced structure through strong silhouettes in wool coats, skirts, and trousers, building a refined framework for the more expressive elements like intricate draping. Leather garments incorporated three-dimensional elements of keys, scissors and various objects — giving the allure as if something was in the models pockets — while a top was made completely out of belts in a sculptural form, pushing traditional practices into more experimental territory.

“One of my favorites is look 22 and it is a fully beaded dress,” Ruiz said. “We worked on it for maybe three months straight, Monday through Friday, nine to five, with over 20,000 or 30,000 beads and thousands of stitches.”

The show marked the culmination of nearly a year’s work inside the Petra studio, where the team caught itself in a constant rhythm of refining each garment while simultaneously shaping the world the collection would inhabit. DesignIntern Fatima Khan described the process as an evolving cycle of mood-boarding, sketching, scrapping ideas, restarting, sewing, patterning, and draping.

“The design team went to the back right after the show and started tearing up because we’ve worked on this collection for so long,” Khan said. “It always feels so far away when you’re starting from a piece of scrap, then you see it on the runway and you’re like, wait…I made that.”

Ruiz explained that tailoring means something different to everyone. It embodies sustainable clothing that lasts a lifetime. Pieces that feel beloved and essential. Garments that uplift that wearers identity and breathe confidence. On the runway, models embodied and further exuded this statement.

Model Jokudu, who wore look 21, said her favorite element was the skirt. “I would definitely wear this,” she said, adding that when she walked the runway she hoped the audience would think: “Who is that? Do you see that outfit? I like the top, the accessories, her energy—everything.”

Fish Navarro, founder of f10casting, said she approached the walk for this show with a sensual energy, straying from her signature stomping style. Navarro initially met Ruiz years ago when the founder pulled her out of retirement for a shoot. Something she rarely agrees to do.

“I fell in love with him and fell in love with the team,” Navarro said. “I’ve been telling a lot of the crew that the level of expertise and everything coming together is just so next level.”

The collection’s creative details and accessories layered personality to the runway from sewn corsets and hand-stitched crocheted dresses to details of fringe, feathers, and beading, adding texture and movement throughout the looks. Styling choices further emphasized the narrative: some models carried folded newspapers, roses, clutches, or keys while their bold jewelry glistened, blown out hair bounced, and blushing lipstick popped. Gloves appeared frequently worn traditionally and held casually in hand reinforcing the show’s sense of effortless elegance and poise.

Petra’s production felt noticeably elevated, with every detail carefully considered. Models emerged from a hidden door concealed within a bookshelf, stepping into a room lit by bohemian chandeliers, walls lined with European artwork and the floors laid with layered Persian rugs. The soundtrack whispered experimental music softly through the speakers.

This created a fully realized world of Petra Stellam.

“Compared to the shows he’s done in Texas, this is beyond anything that’s been done for the brand.” casting director, Navarro said. “It takes other designers years to get to that level of fashion that looks this expensive, and for Petra, this show hits it right on the mark.”

For Ruiz, he said the growth of the brand is steadfast and his designs keep getting better. For his team behind the scenes, the moment felt just as powerful.

“It made us emotional, it made us proud, and Luiz is the best boss,” Khan said. “He’s so creative and hands-on, and he really lets us have our own ideas and take initiative. We love Lulu.”