There’s something about the raw, unfiltered energy of ‘90s fashion and club culture that still feels revolutionary today. Nick Waplington’s *We Dance in Mysteries* exhibition, featuring his intimate, chaotic shots of Isaac Mizrahi’s studio and NYC’s underground scene, is proof that this era wasn’t just a moment—it was a movement.
Looking at these images, you don’t just see clothes or poses; you see rebellion. Mizrahi’s studio wasn’t a polished, sterile space—it was alive, messy, and dripping with creativity. Models weren’t just mannequins; they were characters in a wild, unscripted performance. Waplington’s lens captures that spontaneity, the kind that feels almost extinct in today’s hyper-curated, algorithm-driven fashion world.
What’s fascinating is how these photos bridge the gap between high fashion and street culture. The ‘90s didn’t separate the runway from the club—they fed off each other. A sequin gown wasn’t just for Vogue spreads; it was for sweating in at 3 AM under strobe lights. That DIY spirit—where glamour wasn’t about money but attitude—is what makes this era timeless.
Now, as fashion endlessly recycles the ‘90s (see: slip dresses, grunge, and bucket hats on every influencer), Waplington’s work reminds us that the real magic wasn’t in the trends—it was in the people who lived them. The question is: Can we ever recapture that kind of authenticity, or are we just left with the aesthetic?
Maybe the answer is in the title itself: *We Dance in Mysteries*. Because the best moments in culture aren’t meant to be solved—just felt.
