On Sunday, September 13, an extraordinary gathering of women brought culture, fashion and sisterhood to the heart of Times Square.
Hosted by Claire Sulmers, founder and Chief Executive Officer of Fashion Bomb Daily, the MÄFO Dress New York Fashion Week Brunch welcomed women from fashion, media, business, healthcare, culture and the wider community to Crab House Times Square.
The vision for the afternoon was simple but powerful: one dress, many women and countless stories.
Every woman arrived wearing the MÄFO Dress, yet no two women looked the same. Through accessories, layering, headwear and personal styling, each guest made the dress entirely her own.
Together, they demonstrated one of the movement’s most important messages: wearing the same dress does not erase individuality. It creates a shared language through which every woman’s identity can shine.
A Dress Rooted in Meaning
Created by Cameroonian designer Kibonen Nfi, founder and Creative Director of KiBONEN, MÄFO means “Queen Mother” in the Bamileke tradition.
It is one of the highest titles held by a woman and represents dignity, wisdom, influence and service. The MÄFO Dress carries that cultural meaning into a contemporary global conversation, inviting every woman who wears it to recognize her own power while honouring the power of the women around her.
“What began with seven women has grown into something much bigger than a dress,” said Kibonen Nfi. “The MÄFO movement is creating spaces where women feel seen, celebrated and connected. This gathering reminded us that when women come together with purpose, something truly beautiful is born.”
The movement began when seven women believed in the vision and chose to wear the dress together. Among those present at the New York Fashion Week brunch were Adeline Lum Azong, a board certified psychiatric mental health nurse practitioner, and Manda Nyamboli. Both women were part of the original group whose support helped inspire the MÄFO Dress Movement.
What began with seven women has now reached more than 300 women within six months. The movement’s next mission is the Road to 5,000 Women wearing the same culturally significant dress.
Claire Sulmers on Courage and Creating Your Own Space
During an intimate conversation, Claire Sulmers shared her journey with honesty, warmth and vulnerability. She spoke about courage, resilience and what it means to continue building when the path is not always clear.
Her story reminded the women in the room that success is not simply about being invited into spaces that already exist. Sometimes it requires believing in yourself enough to create a new space and then holding the door open for others.
What began as a brunch became a deeper celebration of purpose, confidence and sisterhood. Women exchanged stories, formed new relationships and reflected on the journeys that had brought each of them into the room.
Women Shaping Fashion, Business and Culture
The gathering welcomed an influential group of women whose work spans fashion, business, healthcare, culture and social impact. Among those present were Constance C. R. White, veteran fashion journalist, author and Senior Executive Director of the Social Justice Center at the Fashion Institute of Technology; Busie Matsiko, global strategist, author, Berkeley College trustee and President and Chief Executive Officer of the New York Africa Chamber of Commerce; Catherine Schuller, fashion educator, former Ford model and advocate for body and size inclusion; Andromeda Osam Peters, Miss Universe Ghana 2025, actress, model and licensed psychotherapist; Dr. Bobbi Peterson, orthodontist, founder of Aces Braces and inventor of the Big Mouth Toothbrush; and Marianne Bena, representing Bantu Arts Atelier.
The room reflected the spirit of MÄFO itself: women from different professions, cultures and life experiences coming together through one shared expression of identity.
A Thoughtfully Curated Experience
The afternoon included brunch, cocktails, meaningful conversations and curated gifts supported by LAMEL Cosmetics and BigMouth Floss.
Eric Rodriguez, Chief Hospitality Officer of Vinrelo Hospitality Group, presented Kibonen with premiere products from Ten To One Rum and Mike’s Hot Honey.
Vinrelo Hospitality Group served as the official media partner for the event. The media team was led by Niecey Josey, celebrity and commercial stylist, brand strategist and founder of Vinrelo.
Vinrelo captured Kibonen’s founder interview, a special conversation between Kibonen Nfi and Ambassador Francine Mbvoumbo, Principal of Mbvoumbo Global Strategy, and the wider atmosphere of the gathering.
The Road to 5,000 Continues
The MÄFO Dress New York Fashion Week Brunch may be over, but the movement is only gathering momentum.
The next MÄFO Dress gathering will take place on Saturday, September 26, on the sidelines of the 81st United Nations General Assembly.
Convened by Ambassador Francine Mbvoumbo, the invitation only experience will bring together leaders from diplomacy, business, finance, philanthropy, fashion and culture.
For this special gathering, a movement created around women will also welcome men into the conversation, creating space for partnership, shared responsibility and collective impact.
The experience will include the Legacy Walk, Ball of Wisdom, Spotlight Conversation and MÄFO styling awards. Proceeds will support the Mothers to Daughters initiative and the wider mission of empowering women across communities and generations.
The September 13 brunch showed what becomes possible when women gather with intention.
One dress brought them into the room.
Their stories, courage and connection turned it into a movement.
The Road to 5,000 Women continues.
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