While the world of content creators is highly saturated, there are always a few who manage to set themselves apart. One creator who fits this category with ease? Shaina René [1]. The Brooklyn-bred influencer is widely known for her innovative fashion and beauty content across Instagram, TikTok, and YouTube, where she's amassed nearly half a million followers, granting her access to some of the industry's biggest stages — including New York Fashion Week [2]. But let's be clear: she's built more than the standard influencer career. René's spent years perfecting her craft, collaborating with the likes of Revolve [3] and SheaMoisture [4], and even venturing into styling, with a campaign for Reebok under her belt.
Her sartorial journey began in her formative years, thanks to regular mall trips on the weekends with her mom. "I would have so much fun getting myself ready for class every week, and would always hear family members and friends say, 'School isn't a fashion show,' but for me it was," René says. "I love everything about clothes and the child inside of me is so happy I'm doing the things I've always dreamed about, and being here this week has been a dream."
This keen approach to dressing is seen in many of René looks, including her ensemble for PatBO's spring/summer 2026 show. The Sept. 16 event, which transformed a Chelsea warehouse into a garden oasis, served as the perfect backdrop to René's power suit. "I wanted to keep it very classic, especially on a day when I'm running behind the scenes and doing back-to-back shows," she says of her outfit. "Styling myself is a process sometimes, being that I use a lot of creative energy on my clients, so I don't always feel like I have an adequate amount of time to dedicate to styling myself like I would, but with suits, I still make it work."
She did just that in a gray Zara suit with leather heeled pumps from Acne Studios and a purple, vintage Christian Dior lady bag, proving that Fashion Week isn't just about dressing for the show you're attending, but about staying true to what fashion is: expressing yourself through clothing. Patricia Bonaldi [5], founder of PatBO, championed the same ethos with her collection. Titled "Latin Soul," the show celebrated her culture with bright colors, fringe, cutouts, and voluminous skirts —inspiring attendees to embrace their femininity — a theme that's also central to René's style.
Ahead, the creator and stylist shares more about her look for the show, how she's navigating her career as a new mother, and every product she used pre-show, including the $10 gel that kept her edges sleek all day long.
On Her Skin-Care Essentials For the Show
Whether you're headed to a day or night show, NYFW requires some level of glam every day, so it's important to maintain your skin under all your makeup products. René keeps the Lancôme Advanced Genifique Face Serum [6] ($89) and Beauty of Joseon Sunscreen [7] ($14, originally $18) as mainstays in her pre-makeup routine. "It's just so amazing; I can't travel anywhere without it and have seen a complete 180 in my skin ever since I started using it," she says.
On What She Wore to the Show
While René considers the aesthetic of whatever show she's attending, she ultimately creates her look based on her personal style, which she describes as a mix of "chic, timeless, and street." She exuded that and more with the Zara Shoulder Pad Belted Blazer [8] ($119) and Zara Puffer Pants [9] ($60). "I think tailored suiting is perfect for anything during Fashion Week, especially if you're not being dressed by the brand because it's classic and going to be good, whether it's five or ten years from now, or if you're attending multiple shows," she explains.
On Her Shoes For the Show
René wanted to keep things "sleek, edgy, and on trend," so she chose a pair of hairy leather heeled pumps from Acne Studios.
While her exact pair is sold out, you can shop the Simmi London Bexley Heeled Pumps [10] ($52) for a similar vibe.
On How She Accessorized For the Show
The stylist also wore a purple Lady bag, proving that a Dior bag is the perfect accessory for any look. You can shop her pick in blue, the Christian Dior Lady D-Joy Cannage Quilt Lambskin Bag [11] ($3,705).
On Her Makeup For the Show
René got her picture-perfect glam for PatBO's SS26 show with one of her favorite products, the Too Faced Born This Way Undetectable Medium-To-Full Coverage Foundation [12] ($48). "It was my go-to product in 2016, and I recently started using it again, and it delivers 10 out of 10 results — it just blends so seamlessly into my skin," she raves.
René also swears by the Fenty Beauty Instant Warmth Bronzer [13] ($37) as an eyeshadow and cheek bronzer.
On Her Hair-Care Essentials For the Show
René refers to her new pixie cut as her "entire personality," and uses these tried-and-true products to style it. She loves The Mane Choice The Alpha 48H Edge Control [14] ($10) for keeping her sideburns in place, and The Mane Choice Ancient Egyptian Antidote Ultimate Definition Setting Mousse [15] ($15) for prepping her hair before curling it. She finishes her routine off with The Mane Choice Alpha Multi-Vitamin Scalp Hair Growth Oil [16] ($10, originally $14), which adds the "perfect shine" to her pixie.
On Her Tech Essential For the Show
René loves using the Marshall Acton III Bluetooth Home Speaker [17] ($300) while getting ready, saying "it's amazing and sets the vibe right."
On Unwinding After the Show
The unwind post-show is just as important as getting ready for one, so René combines the Biodance Bio-collagen Deep Face Mask [18] ($19) and the Lemme Sleep Gummies [19] ($27, originally $30) when she wants to "turn her mind off and reset for the next day."
Naomi Parris [20] is an assistant shopping editor at Popsugar, based in New York. With over eight years of experience and previous roles held on the brand's Beauty and Operations teams, she enjoys telling stories that merge fashion, beauty, and Black culture. Naomi has also lent her skillful pen to Essence Girls United, Elle, Bustle, and Elite Daily. When she's not crafting shopping roundups, high-profile features, beauty op-eds, or trend guides, you can find Naomi behind her blog "Eli-Nay," where she inspires readers through style guides, cultural pieces, and innovative content on her Instagram.