Ella Mae Makes a Mindful Return to the Runway in Los Angeles with ‘Rock Collecting’ SS25

Oct 22

Backstage imagery by Sophia Schrank

Ella Mae’s Spring/Summer 2025 runway show, Rock Collecting, transported guests into a dreamlike fairy-tale world with a lush moss garden runway. Models glided across stepping stones, their garments blending seamlessly with the whimsical natural surroundings, creating an ethereal atmosphere. Bright lights amplified the surreal experience, pulling the audience into Mae’s imaginative realm and away from the constraints of ordinary time. The event felt more like leaping into an enchanted woodland than a fashion show, with each element—from the rust-treated-garments to the rock-infused head peices evoke the magic of nature’s quiet wonders.

Backstage, photographer Sophia Schrank captured the intimate, bts moments in film, encapsulating the unique energy of the event. Models of all shapes, sizes, and backgrounds posed, laughed, and shared lighthearted moments in the raw, industrial setting of a warehouse near Inglewood, where the show was held. Freed from the pressures of a traditional fashion week, the experience felt personal and unrushed, allowing attendees to connect meaningfully with both the collection and the creative community. After the show, guests mingled in a pebble-covered lot adorned with string lights, sipping drinks next to a cobalt blue wall—an ideal setting for impromptu photos. Mae’s decision to host the event independently cultivated a rare sense of calm within the frenetic fashion landscape, leaving a lasting impression on everyone including MERDE.