Mercedes-Benz Star Lounge

In middle of New York fashion week mayhem, designer Wesley Cadle creates aserene suite

Wesley Cadle

Photo by Michael Buckner/Getty Images North America
Outside the entrance to the Mercedes-Benz Star Lounge

Photo by Michael Buckner/Getty Images North America
A hand-beaded "Keep Calm and Carry On" canvas hangs over the fireplace.

Photo by Michael Buckner/Getty Images North America
Inside the entrance to the Mercedes-Benz Star Lounge, cool cucumber-coloredwalls create a calming tone.

Photo by Michael Buckner/Getty Images North America
Wesley Cadle, from left, Lindley Arnoldy and Annina Stefanelli in theMercedes-Benz Star Lounge
A cozy sette where people can relax and enjoy and glass of champagne

Photo by Michael Buckner/Getty Images North America
The main lounge area, which hosts a mix of furniture by Baker, Antica Farmacistadiffusers and TVs showing live runway shows

Photo by Michael Buckner/Getty Images North America
Lindley Arnoldy, left, and Tina Craig, creator of the popular website Bag Snob.

Photo by Annina Stefanelli

Editor's note: Clifford Pugh wasn't the only CultureMapper at fashion week. Contributors Lindley Arnoldy and Annina Stefanelli filed this report.

NEW YORK — During Mercedes-Benz Fashion week, the tents at Lincoln Center pulsate on energy high from editors, stylists, photographers and fashionistas. There is even a designated “blogger” area where techies can plug in and clack away on their keyboards, tweeting and posting about the events.

Beyond all of this mayhem lies the real gem of luxury, the Mercedes Benz Star Lounge, a swanky suite where invited guests can drop in to juice up their iPhones and iPads between shows while nibbling tasty bites and sipping champagne.

For the last few years, Wesley Cadle has been the creative genius behind the Star Lounge’s chic décor and star filled atmosphere. For this year’s lounge, he created a serene environment of cool cucumber greens and pops of pink with Pucci-inspired patterns flanking the walls and ceiling. The message is written clearly on Stephanie Hirsch’s Keep Calm and Carry On black and gold hand-beaded canvas mounted above the sandstone fireplace, designed by Chesney’s UK. The overall result is a calm, welcoming space that has seen the likes of André Leon Talley to Bag Snob editor Tina Craig.

CultureMap: Where have you drawn the inspiration to create this year’s Mercedes Benz Fashion Week Star Lounge?

Wesley Cadle: I was inspired by a silk scarf and wanted to wrap the room in geometric prints with cool mint greens and pops of pink. The walls and ceiling are wrapped with Porter Teleo mural panels custom hand made in ink for the lounge.

CM: You have said an environment provokes an emotional response. What emotion do you want to provoke with the Star Lounge?

WC: I want to create a living room experience offering folks a break from the hustle and bustle of the shows.

CM: When designing a space that hosts such a fashionable crowd, do you draw inspiration from the collections that are debuting at fashion week?

WC: I’m attaching it to fashion, but I look into the interior design industry for inspiration. I’m one of those designers that doesn’t heavily rely on following trends, but sometimes am open to using one here and there.

CM: How does the design process begin? How do you approach a project like this, the same as the others?

WC: I like to start with a neutral, like the carpet, and work up from there adding pops of color within the furniture, pillows, and Porter Teleo wall coverings.

CM: Is this a departure from what you have done in the past?

WC: Last year I designed the lounge with a Parisian apartment feel, wrapping the walls with over scaled fashion illustrations by Gladys Perint Palmer. I’ve departed from that this year, wrapping the walls with cool water color palette and fluid nature of the ceilings.

CM: How do you differentiate the design of the lounge from fall and spring fashion weeks?

WC: I don’t want to offend the weather, this could have been a lodge but I made it cool and feminine. I try to keep the design feminine for fashion week. I’m not designing a dress, but an ambiance.

CM: What composes an ambiance? Hosting a serene space for a variant crowd can be complicated. I see snacks, beverages, television, and Antica Farmacista home fragrances. What is the purpose of the extras?

WC: I’m creating an ambiance as a sort of sense theater. I want senses to be uplifted in all of the ways. I want a space like this to juggle sounds, smell, and sight.

CM: How are you accommodating the new world of bloggers and social media players?

WC: The whole lounge offers various hubs for everyone to plug in to recharge, catch up on emails, etc.

Lindley Arnoldy writes the fashion and style blog The Flip Side and Annina Stefanelli writes the blog Cinched at the Waist

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ACL Fest Fashion

Mud turned ACL Fest 2026 into a runway for functional fashion

Photo by Kenn Box

These fest-goers took poncho power stances to get them through the weekend.

Over the years, Austin City Limits Music Festival (ACL Fest) has always had some of the best boho-meets-western looks. This year, mud could have ruined attendees' fashion plans, but they used it to their advantage.

In 2026, it also became clear that the newer generation of festival goers are slowly changing the festival uniform.

This ACL Fest saw the rebirth of local style, the creation of style subcultures, and a lot of fun improvising. It appears that music-lovers are shifting their aesthetics to something that is more personal to them, rather than matching the festival's energy.

Despite the increase in personalization, almost everyone had one thing in common: mud boots.

Festival style has evolved over the past few years. Attendees used to dress according to the mood of the festival; now it's about fitting the mood of your favorite headlining artist. Paulina Valencia and Maria Julia showed up to Day One ready to party with Charli XCX. Photo by Kenn Box

Elena Hobbes at ACL Fest 2026 Despite the unusual weather, Elena Hobbes managed to make a classic boho outfit work with some practical footwear. Photo by Kenn Box

Caeli Hwang wearing sequins at ACL Fest 2026 If you couldn't tell from the first few images, sequins were all over the festival grounds. Caeil Hwang styled herself in an asymmetrical sequined top and some moto boots with a western flare. Photo by Kenn Box

Maria Dupont in all denim at ACL Fest 2026 If you remember the 2000s, then you'll remember the Canadian tuxedo was a style staple. Flash forward two decades and it seems to have made its return, now with a more modern and structured fit. Maria Dupont styled herself in her best denim set for the utmost comfort. Photo by Kenn Box

Christian Hatley in mudboots at ACL Fest 2026 Christian Hatley showed up to Day Two of the festival prepared and stylish. Photo by Kenn Box

Nidhi Kashyap at ACL Fest 2026 Bringing the mid-2020s party girl vibe, Nidhi Kashyap's look is not only trendy but functional.Photo by Kenn Box

Deanna Harris wears camo at ACL Fest 2026 Camo and baby pink is always a cute pair! Deanna Harris is throwing it back to the Y2K era with her cropped graphic tank top and mini skirt. Early 2000s meets country chic in this look. Photo by Kenn Box

Ryder Cavazos at ACL Fest 2026 It's easy to focus on recreational festival-goers' style, but what about those there to work? Photographer Ryder Cavazos showed up to take some photos in style this year. Photo by Kenn Box

Kenley Dunawai wears a South Park mini skirt at ACL Fest 2026 ACL Fest fashion has always had a hint of playfulness to it. Kenley Dunawai sported a South Park mini skirt paired with a black tank top. Photo by Kenn Box

Luke Bame in camo shorts and fur at ACL Fest 2026 Festival-goers don't need to reach out for Coachella and Marfa; Austin has its own sense of style. Luke Bame's camo shorts and fur vest are a prime example of what Austin's youth are wearing currently. Photo by Kenn Box

Audrey Dahlkemper wears a teal tulle skirt and sequin bra "Whismy" is a word that's been trending for quite some time now, and it's the perfect one to use for Audrey Dahlkemper's ACL Fest fit, from her printed rain boots to the tulle skirt.Photo by Kenn Box

Sara Chaney in neutrals Neutral tones are here to stay. Sara Chaney rocks a pair of sturdy Doc Martens to help her trek through the muddy grounds.Photo by Kenn Box

Andrew Silvas sports a graphic tank Vintage pieces are a staple in Austin. Andrew Silvas was seen sporting a vintage graphic tank and a classic pair of denim pants on Day Three of the festival. Photo by Kenn Box

Carrington Joseph wears a denim vest Carrington Joseph puts a fun twist on the denim trend with her denim vest. Of course, the look isn't complete without her beaded accessories. Photo by Kenn Box

Negin Nekoonam wearing a white dress Negin Nekoonam is the effortlessly cool girl in her white dress accessorized with mud.Photo by Kenn Box

The psychedelic rave combo is one of the best subcultures in ACL Fest street style. Jamison Schilling had the defining countercultural look — though it may become mainstream as the festival begins to book more rave-friendly DJs. (And how about that muddy ombré effect?)Photo by Kenn Box

Hayley Sherman in a camo and lace skirt Graphic tees, camo, and Hunter boots formed a combo seen all over the grounds. Hayley Sherman was spotted wearing all three in the most stylish manner. Photo by Kenn Box

Chantel Smith wearing plaid pants Comfort was key this year. Chantel Smith managed to style comfortable pieces into a cohesive and unique look. Photo by Kenn Box

Arden Loss sports an I love hot dads trucker hat Trucker hats are making big waves in fashion at the moment. Arden Loss is seen wearing an "I Heart Hot Dads" trucker hat paired with a floral babydoll dress. Photo by Kenn Box

The best festival fits make good use of accessories, and Ashley Galvan is the queen of accessorizing. Photo by Kenn Box

For Baylee Tincher and Peter Jones this year, style was about attitude and performance.Photo by Kenn Box

Lauren Higgins wearing yellow mudboots The protective footwear micro-trend will go down in ACL Fest history.Photo by Kenn Box

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