The New York Fashion Week countdown is on for Commando. The bodywear brand founded by Kerry O’ Brien over two decades ago is a favorite not just of women. It’s also a go-to for red-carpet moments as well as many CFDA designers showing at NYFW and looking for the perfect bodywear to enhance their runway collections.

The brand’s history with NYFW is extensive and started organically in a grassroots way.

“Erin Fetherston called and told me she loved Commando underwear,” O’Brien recalled. “She was working on her show and wanted the underwear in it to be completely invisible.”

Jill Stuart, Milly, and Prabal Gurung were just some of the names that followed—and the nature of the collaborations slowly began to evolve.

“More and more designers came to Commando,” she said. “At the beginning, they wanted nude flawless looks, but that changed. Designers started looking to Commando to be a part of the look. That’s how it evolved over the years. There are times we make special items for designers, but these are not paid partnerships. We do not pay for influencers, stylists, NYFW, or celebrities. It’s a collaboration.”

This season, Commando is set to be in shows from Bach Mai, Jason Wu, Simkhai, Marissa Wilson, Naeem Khan, Sergio Hudson, Proenza Schouler, and Rodarte, the latter with custom creations. Judging from past fashion weeks, the list could well grow in the days leading up to the shows.

“We are in process of making custom looks for some designers now,” O’Brien said. “We have worked on average between 17 and 20  a season.

“It’s an inspiration for me to see these unbelievable designers interpret Commando in their way of styling. There are no rules to Commando. We once did a full-leather bra and patent leggings for a dance performance at The Blonds. Rodarte [designers Kate and Laura Mulleavy] are such artists. They wanted the underwear to match the look. When you design at that level, you want everything to be perfect. It is a creative, fashion community event for us. We are part of this fashion community and are happy to work with designers. And it’s fun.”

As for her dream collaboration, Vermont-based O’Brien had this to say: “Over the past 20 years, some of our wildest dreams have come true. We’ve walked more than 150 runways at NYFW and have seen celebrities such as Lady Gaga, Olivia Wilde, Gigi Hadid and Rihanna ‘go Commando.’ As our collection grows, so do our dreams of what ‘going Commando’ means…perhaps a show stopping floor-length dress or a dramatic wide leg suit on a red carpet is on the horizon!”

We can’t wait to find out!