The Second
Shift
An annual runway showcase celebrating the artists who create after hours — dancers, musicians, and models performing for the love of it.
September 17, 2026 · New York Fashion Week
What "The Second Shift" Means
Your first shift is the 9-to-5. The one that sustains you, that pays the rent, that you show up for every Monday. Your second shift is where your creativity comes alive — after hours, on your own time, for the love of it.
That's who we put on stage. The dancers who rehearse after work. The designers sewing on weekends. The singers writing lyrics on their lunch break. The models who have a whole other career and show up to a runway anyway — because this part of them matters too.
01
Dance
Choreographers and dancers who tell stories through movement, performing alongside the designers whose work they wear.
02
Music
Singers and musicians who provide the sonic backdrop — original sound that transforms the runway into a full narrative.
03
Modeling
Models who carry full careers and full lives, walking the runway to prove that artistry and ambition can share a stage.
Where It All Started
In 2025, we made history as the only South Asian runway in Chicago Fashion Week history. We had 6 weeks to plan, received 200+ model applications in 48 hours, and sold out Epiphany Center for the Arts — 350+ people, 6 designers, 25 artists, and 9 small businesses. All in one night.
Photos from the Night
Featured In
What People Said
"Forever inspired by Alisha. Every event has such intention and meaningful experience behind it. The Second Shift is Chicago's first South Asian Runway during CFW and we literally watched history happen."
— @sri.creates3
"Such an amazing, unexpected and organic opportunity that I never would've even dreamed of. The whole event was beautiful and surreal and I'm SO proud to see Chicago wholeheartedly embracing our culture in all its beautiful forms."
— Godhuli Gupta