Charda Simons was beyond thrilled when judges at the Bermuda Fashion Festival announced that Street Lux, her line of “luxury urban streetwear”, was going to New York Fashion Week.

It was an unexpected win for the 26-year-old, who had limited design experience and was presenting her very first collection. She spoke with Lifestyle about the experience.

Q: Why do you think the judges liked your clothes?

A: I think my collection is very wearable and urban street wear is what’s in right now. Also, I feel the judges enjoyed the idea of my two passions, art and fashion, coming together in my collection. I felt that they could see me taking this brand to another level. I do as well. This is only the start.

Q: How did you react to the announcement?

A: I was in shock during that very moment. I was among six other very talented designers and I couldn’t believe they had just announced my name as one of the two winners going to NY Fashion Week.

Being this was my very first full runway collection with no previous real design experience, I had so many emotions running through my mind. Waking up the next morning, I had to process everything that had just happened. I am beyond grateful for this amazing opportunity.

Q: What are you doing to prepare for NY Fashion Week?

A: As I prepare for NY Fashion Week I was awarded with the opportunity to go to Atlanta to learn how to market my brand and learn the business with [American fashion designers] Lisa Nicole Cloud and Ken Laurence. I will also be working on some of my collection to be sure the pieces are NY-Fashion-Week ready.

Q: Have you been before?

A: I have never been to NY Fashion Week, but this has always been a dream — to some day present my collection.

Q: Exactly where/when will your clothes be shown?

A: My collection will be shown September 9 in New York, but I am not 100 per cent sure of the exact location as yet.

Q: How did you control your nerves on the festival night?

A: During the night of the fashion festival, my nerves were on an all-time high, but with my awesome team I had alongside me (my make-up artist, hair stylist, my assistant and the models), we got through and had a successful show.

Q: Where do you go from here? Anticipate you’ll get your online store when?

A: I plan to leave my mark at NY Fashion Week and aim to get invited back there sometime for this amazing event. I anticipate to start the process in launching an online store sometime after NY Fashion Week and also plan to open a Street Lux pop-up shop later in the year. But for now, we will be doing pre-orders. I have big plans for Street Lux, so keep an eye out!

Look for Street Lux on Instagram: @streetluxbda

New York Fashion Week runs September 6 to 14. Learn more at nyfw.com/new-york-fashion-week-the-shows