Harlem Fashion Row’s Digital Fashion Event Salutes Black Creativity
On Sunday, Harlem Fashion Row kicked off NYFW with its 13th annual Style Awards and Fashion Event, produced entirely online. The theme centered around "Black is the New Black", more so speaking to the fact that black creativity (in all its forms) has always been here. The event debuted new collections from emerging designers, along with honoring fashion gatekeepers like Teen Vogue's Lindsay Peoples Wagner and Pyer Moss's Kerby Jean-Raymond.
"This year's theme is 'Black is the new Black', because we haven't just arrived here," says CEO and founder Brandice Daniel.
Brandice Daniels, one of the most powerful black women in fashion, curated a much-need virtual experience that paid homage to, and brought more awareness to, black creativity. Founded over 13 years ago, Harlem Fashion Row has been a financial and professional resource for multicultural designers to create and promote their work. The organization was the first to create a fund for BIPOC creators in the midst of the pandemic. Vogue Editor-In-Chief Anna Wintour showed up at Sunday's event to acknowledge the $1 million grant from the CFDA's A Common Thread initiative.
The big winners of the night were British Vogue Editor-in-Chief Edward Enninful, lifestyle architect Misa Hylton, and designer Dapper Dan. Hylton also took time to honor Daniels, saying it's "special to have a Black woman leading this movement."
Last but not least came the HFR fashion show, an annual event that featured the worlds of Kimberly Goldson, Richfresh, and Kristian Loren. Each designer debuted their fall 2020 collection, all pre-filmed in LA over the last two months, and available to buy on their websites now.
While Loren's collection was 70's-inspired and honored Black female stars like Pam Grier, Goldson's inspiration came from the varied textures of Black women's hair. Patrick Henry of Richfresh, best known for his bespoke suiting, showcased chic tracksuits and kimono-style robes.
Harlem Fashion Row's 13 annual event was a stark reminder of how imperative black creativity is and how much potential we have when given the right opportunities.
Featured image by @Itenjifilms/Kimberly Goldson
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Courtney is a contributing writer, based in Puerto Rico by way of Tennessee. Interested in the intersection of fashion and culture, she has an affinity for fashion, empowerment, and really good tacos. Keep up with her on Instagram (@hautecourtxo).
ItGirl 100 Honors Black Women Who Create Culture & Put On For Their Cities
As they say, create the change you want to see in this world, besties. That’s why xoNecole linked up with Hyundai for the inaugural ItGirl 100 List, a celebration of 100 Genzennial women who aren’t afraid to pull up their own seats to the table. Across regions and industries, these women embody the essence of discovering self-value through purpose, honey! They're fierce, they’re ultra-creative, and we know they make their cities proud.
VIEW THE FULL ITGIRL 100 LIST HERE.
Don’t forget to also check out the ItGirl Directory, featuring 50 Black-woman-owned marketing and branding agencies, photographers and videographers, publicists, and more.
THE ITGIRL MEMO
I. An ItGirl puts on for her city and masters her self-worth through purpose.
II. An ItGirl celebrates all the things that make her unique.
III. An ItGirl empowers others to become the best versions of themselves.
IV. An ItGirl leads by example, inspiring others through her actions and integrity.
V. An ItGirl paves the way for authenticity and diversity in all aspects of life.
VI. An ItGirl uses the power of her voice to advocate for positive change in the world.
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Rihanna Talks Shedding Expectations And Finding Balance As A Mother
Since becoming a mother in 2022, Rihanna has defined parenthood by her terms and hopes to pass that sense of autonomy on to her children.
For Vogue China’s April cover story, Rihanna shared her perspective on raising her two sons with A$AP Rocky, and how she hopes to preserve her children’s uniqueness, devoid of societal expectations.
"The most beautiful thing...is that [children] come into the world with their own individuality and sincerity, without any logic or conformity,” she told the publication. “Which usually makes you feel that you must fit into a certain group."
The “Work” artist, known for her trendsetting style and captivating persona, expressed her desire to support children in fully embracing their individuality and encouraging them to be whoever they want to be. "It's really beautiful to see and I want to continue to help them navigate that and make sure that they know they can be whoever they want to be,” she says.
She continues, “They should embrace it completely, because it's beautiful, and it's unique. I love them just that way."
From shattering music charts to shaking up the beauty industry, Rihanna has forged a path that has since created the “dream” life we see today. One that she says has made her parents proud of.
“I’m living my dream,” she continued. “My parents were very proud of that because they just wanted me to be happy and successful. So, I think the key thing is to find some kind of balance. Yes, balance is important. Do this and you get the best of both worlds. You can write your own life the way you want, and it will be beautiful. Sometimes, you just need to let go of everyone’s expectations and start living your own story.”
Rihanna, who shares sons, RZA, 23 months, and Riot, 8 months, with rapper A$AP Rocky, recently shared her vision for expanding her family in the future in Interview Magazine.
When stylist Mel Ottenberg asked about the number of additional children she hoped to have, Rihanna replied, "As many as God wants me to have.”
"I don't know what God wants, but I would go for more than two. I would try for my girl,” she adds. “But of course, if it's another boy, it's another boy."
Featured image by Neil MockfordWireImage
