Miss Universe and Supermodel Daughter Help Austin Designer Dominate Social Media at Fashion Week: Only Victoria Beckham Can Beat Her

NEW YORK —  When it comes to social media engagement at New York Fashion Week, such big names as Michael Kors, Ralph Lauren, and Tom Ford weren’t at the top of the list. Instead, an Austin-based evening gown designer surpassed them all.

Sherri Hill’s runway show drew nearly 4 million posts and brand mentions on social media, including Facebook, Twitter, Instagram, Tumblr, YouTube and Google, ranking her at No. 2, just behind Victoria Beckham, according to ListenFirst, a leading social analytics firm.

Hill, who is known for creating gowns for contestants in the Miss Universe, Miss USA, and Miss America pageants, has branched out with a glittery fall collection for any woman looking to get dressed up for a special occasion. It includes leopard print jumpsuits and gowns with above-the-thigh slits, heavily embellished feather-tipped body-hugging minidresses, and sequined crop tops with black dress trousers for a different nighttime look.

The wide array of gowns ranges from a simple black number with a plunging V-neckline to a one-shoulder beaded gown in shades of blue and a shiny gold halter gown with a lace-up back.

Hill, who launched Kendall Jenner‘s runway career when first featuring the model in her 2012 show, also showcased a number of celebrity models in her most recent show, which no doubt boosted her presence on social media. Sailor Brinkley Cook, the 19-year-old daughter of supermodel Christie Brinkley and former husband, Peter Cook, made her New York Fashion Week runway debut in a pink ball gown with silver sequin detail at the bodice and in an embellished fitted teal evening gown. Brinkley Cook’s father as well as her good friend, Ireland Baldwin, offered support from the front row.

Reigning Miss Universe 2017 Demi-Leigh Nel-Peters and former Miss Universe 2015 Pia Wurtzback also appeared on the runway in Hill-designed gowns, and clearly boosted the designer’s social media explosion. An Instagram post of Nel-Peters and Wurtback in evening gowns drew more than 215,000 likes and another photo of Wurtzbach in a black gown with fitted top drew another 205,000 likes.

Beckham ranked No. 1 in the listing, with over 8 million social media engagements, boosted by posts about her label and personal life. A photo with her young daughter was the top Instagram photo at fashion week (Feb. 8 to 14) with 955,000 responses, according to Women’s Wear Daily.

Hill was No. 2,  with more social media engagements than Ford (No. 4), Lauren (No. 5), and Kors (No. 7) combined, and a 120 percent increase over last September’s show — the largest of any designer.

The Sherri Hill collection is available in Houston at Elizabeth Anthony.