Harlem’s Fashion Row’s 19th Annual Award Ceremony and Fashion Show officially set the tone for New York Fashion Week. Last night, the event celebrated the theme of excellence being built “peace by piece.” That meant spotlighting the designers, creatives, and industry leaders who continue to push Black talent to the forefront of fashion.
The evening kicked off with the annual awards ceremony, honoring some of the industry’s most influential voices. Erykah Badu accepted the Fashion Icon award, Wisdom Kaye took home the Virgil Abloh Award, Brandon Blackwood was named Designer of the Year, and Jahleel Weaver was recognized as Stylist of the Year. Audrey Smaltz received the Ann Lowe Maverick Award, while Recho Omondi was named Editor of the Year, among other honorees.
For HFR founder and CEO Brandice Daniel, the evening served as another reminder of why creating opportunities for Black creatives remains so important.
“When I first started Harlem’s Fashion Row, One of the things that I always wanted to do was be able to give designers money to show, Brandice Daniel tells ESSENCE. “I always said what happens if you remove that financial barrier for designers. This year, all three of the designers that are showing have gotten $40,000.”
With PATTERN Beauty serving as the official hair and body partner, the celebration brought together some of fashion and entertainment’s biggest names. Tracee Ellis Ross, Gunna, Jackie Aina, Sheinelle Jones and more were in attendance to celebrate the evening’s honorees and designers.
The night then shifted from awards to the runway, beginning with a special collaboration between American Girl and 11-year-old designer Brooke Sumpter. As one of the evening’s presenting partners, American Girl teamed up with Sumpter on a four-piece collection designed for the dolls and their owners, allowing young girls to wear the same looks as their favorite dolls.
The runway continued with three designers, each bringing a distinct point of view to the HFR stage. Chuks Collin opened with his signature whimsical silhouettes, impeccable tailoring and bold use of color. Rey Jatieh followed with a high-fashion take on streetwear, incorporating denim suiting, cargo pants and elevated everyday staples. Closing the show was Atelier Ndigo, whose vibrant collection drew inspiration from designer Waina Chancy’s Haitian heritage, with a striking palette of blues, whites and reds.
For the first time, the PVH Foundation also presented the Runway Ahead Prize, awarding $100,000 to one of the three featured designers. The honor went to Waina Chancy of Atelier Ndigo, marking a major investment in the designer’s future and the continued growth of Black fashion businesses.
For nearly two decades, Harlem’s Fashion Row has remained committed to creating pathways for Black designers to not only be seen, but to build sustainable businesses and achieve lasting success. That mission continues through its latest initiatives, including efforts to help 10 designers collectively generate $10 million in revenue which Brandice Daniel shared in her closing speech.
After 19 years, HFR’s message remains clear: representation on the runway is only the beginning. The goal is to create the access, resources and investment needed to ensure Black designers have the opportunity to shape the future of fashion.
Author: Mecca Pryor
Read the original article on Essence.
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