- Harlem's Fashion Row supports Black designers and representation in fashion through its annual show and awards.
- This year, HFR invested $100,000 in emerging designers, showcasing their collections on the runway.
- The event featured celebrity guests, honored industry leaders, and highlighted the power of the Black fashion community.
Harlem’s Fashion Row (HFR) kicked off New York Fashion Week (NYFW) exactly how we needed it to: with culture, couture and some serious coin.
The 19th Annual Fashion Show & Style Awards took over The Glasshouse on Tuesday, September 8. The night felt like a homecoming for HFR supporters, fashion insiders and culture shifters who return each year to celebrate Black designers and representation.
That homecoming came with plenty of star power. Gunna, Tracee Ellis Ross, Justine Skye, Sheinelle Jones, Loren LoRosa, Mikki Taylor, Achieng Agutu, Bevy Smith, Amaya Espinal, Jackie Aina and Azariah “Azzy” Cartagena were among the familiar faces filling the room.
This year, HFR also put more money behind its mission, turning community support into a major investment in Black design talent.
Brandice Daniel Welcomed The Village In Sergio Hudson
HFR founder Brandice Daniel opened the night looking fabulous in Sergio Hudson. She wore a fitted black blazer and matching rhinestone-covered skirt from his latest collection. Her hair was chic and cropped in her signature blonde pixie.
Brandice spoke candidly about HFR’s highs and lows, along with the economic opportunities the organization creates. She did not sugarcoat the difficult seasons or shy away from how HFR survived them. She also acknowledged the challenges it still faces today.
Brandice credited “the village” with inspiring and sustaining HFR for nearly 20 years. That village filled the room Tuesday night.
“There is nothing that we can’t do if we decide right now to do it together,” she told the well-dressed crowd.
Brandice’s vision for the future also came to life through 11-year-old designer Brooke Sumpter. Through HFR’s partnership with American Girl, Brooke introduced her Cherry Blossom Couture Collection and showed young Black girls they can help shape the brands they already love.
Harlem’s Fashion Row Gave Its Honorees Their Flowers
For Brandice and her team, working together also means recognizing those already changing the game. HFR honored several of them Tuesday night.
These names fill our social media feeds, group chats, headlines and, in some cases, shopping carts. Their work keeps Black influence, excellence and creativity in the fashion conversation. They are changing the industry, whether they know it or not.
HFR honored Erykah Badu with the Fashion Icon Award. Wisdom Kaye received the Virgil Abloh Award, presented by LVMH. Brandon Blackwood earned Designer of the Year.
Audrey Smaltz received the Ann Lowe Maverick Award. Jahleel Weaver earned Stylist of the Year, while Recho Omondi received Editor of the Year.
The speeches brought vulnerability, humor and stories about the sacrifices behind each career. Honorees recognized their supporters and the Black creatives who opened doors before them.
Three Designers Put Their Futures On The Runway
The stylish soirée ended with what we could hardly wait for: fashion.
Three designers sent collections down the runway: Chuks Collins, Atelier Ndigo by Waïna Chancy and Rey Jaiteh. All three participated in the Runway Ahead Designer Fellowship from ICON360 and the PVH Foundation. For the first time, HFR backed its investment in emerging talent with a $100,000 check.
Chuks opened the runway portion with a collection titled Archival of Love. The pieces explored his love for people and fashion through fabric. Gorgeous silhouettes appeared in orange, blue, cream and olive green. Handbags throughout the presentation surprised attendees. Exposed stitching and three-dimensional details gave the clothes even more character.
Harlem-based Rey showed handmade menswear and womenswear with sharp tailoring and an updated approach to luxury. His pieces played with our love affair with denim and streetwear.
His proportions felt current, and his models oozed swagger. Rey chose deep indigo denim to tell his story.
Waïna presented the winning collection, a love letter to Haiti and her mother. In a preview video, she explained that her mother’s method of washing clothes inspired the collection. The designer translated that memory through indigo blue and white. Her clothes moved like water, bringing energy and spontaneity to the runway.
High waists, see-through knit skirts and sheer fabrics gave the bold It girls plenty to want to snag right off the runway. The looks slayed, and so did the night.
We put it on, took pictures, hugged people we hadn’t seen in a while and left The Glasshouse ready to dream a little bigger. Culture and couture kicked off NYFW, and the fashion girls are just getting started.
Harlem’s Fashion Row Brought The Village Together In Style To Kick Off NYFW
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