Inside Style Writer Joce Blake's New York Fashion Week Diary
It's been 573 days since my last New York Fashion Week. That's one year, six months, and 24 days. The last time I was in Manhattan, February 2020, was just as Big Rona was placing a chokehold on the world. I would have never guessed that while I was living my best life in the NYC streets, a pandemic would soon change my life completely. Because of the state of the world, there were no shows in September and by February 2021, the fashion houses were trying to figure out how to put on runway shows which led many brands to the digital space.
When the New York Fashion Week calendar was released for September, there was no doubt that I needed to be there. I was a bit anxious thinking about how we normally do fashion week -- packed and chaotic -- given the pandemic. But my nervousness subsided when I learned of the vaccination requirement for all NYFW events.
I knew that this season would look different with smaller events but my soul still beamed at the opportunity to get dressed up again, learn about emerging designers and leave a stamp on fashion's biggest month. I'm sure you're ready to hear all about it so keep reading for an exclusive behind-the-scenes gander of this southern belle taking over New York Fashion Week!
Day 1 of NYFW
The weather gods decided that fashion week needed some rain so I opted for a comfy, chic look. This leather dress and sneakers paired with my Telfar bag was ideal for a day running around the city in the rain.
I kicked off my New York Fashion Week with Essence Magazine's Fashion House, "an elite experience discovering and recognizing cutting-edge Black creatives in fashion and their contributions." From the talk with Sevyn Streeter on her style inspirations to the runway show featuring Eclectist, I couldn't ask for a better start to my favorite week of the year.
Next, I headed to NYFW on Fifth, a new location for the shows this year. Fifth Avenue is known for its plethora of stylish stores so it was only right to showcase the future of fashion in the epicenter. I attended the ROOKIE USA show which gave more than it was supposed to in the best ways. In its 12th year, the collection gathered tiny humans (aka kids) as models which made for the most adorable show ever. The celebrity and professional kid models lit up the runway with the latest dance moves and their bright personalities. Seeing celebs like Yung Miami, Dr. Wendy Osefo, and Victor Cruz cheer on their babies made my heart so full.
The last stop of the day: AVNU Back on the Block. If you don't know about AVNU, let me introduce you. Nareasha Willis created this luxury streetwear brand for everyday people. Her most popular creations are the "Ghetto Until Proven Fashionable" pieces because... well, the statement is all facts. I have been a fan of the brand for years so I was in love when I finally met my long-lost cousin. The event was the ultimate family reunion with jamming music, the Electric Slide and 'ayyyyyeeee's all around.
Day 2 of NYFW
I woke up with such excitement because I knew the lewk I planned would eat up the gworls. My talented friend, Candra, made me a custom top speaking all facts, "Ghetto Girls Did It First," and I wore it with a matching mesh top and pants and the oh-so-fabulous Char workroom shorts. My extra-large bamboo earrings and bamboo Brandon Blackwood bag brought it all together. I love making a statement with my outfits and this lewk definitely did that.
Day two started with Tiffany Brown Designs. In her NYFW debut, she created the "Lavender" collection comprised of 50 shades of purple. The pieces were versatile in style from tailored suits to athleisure getups. When speaking about the collection and why she chose NYFW as her coming out, Tiffany said, "Because it's the fashion capital of our country and this is the time to shine and celebrate the human spirit," said Brown.
Photo Courtesy of The Riviere Agency
"Lavender symbolizes and represents spiritual healing, tranquility, easing of tension, and purification. Today, with this collection, we are celebrating the human spirit."
Then, I headed to Spring Studios for one of the most anticipated events this season: The Black in Fashion Council Showroom. I was beyond thrilled the attend the showroom as BIFC's mission "to represent and secure the advancement of Black individuals in the fashion and beauty industry" fills my heart all the way up. I bumped into Blake Van Putten, creator of the cult-favorite bag, "Protect Black Women." We talked about his new designs and the future of CISE and let's just say that he has some heat in store for the people. I also met other Black designers like Samantha Black of Sammy B Designs and Nalebe Footwear designer, Amina E Means.
Joce Blake
Continuing in Spring Studios, I checked out the Rebecca Minkoff "I Love New York" collection. In celebration of the brand's 20th Anniversary, Rebecca unveiled her first-ever collection of NFTs. This new take on fashion week presentations featured model portraits shot by Cass Bird. The immersive NFT experience by Yahoo was definitely one to remember.
Day two's finale show, The Athletic Side of Us (TASOU), left no crumbs. It was definitely one of my favorites this season. For me, the diversity and inclusion of all sizes and bodies was everything. The pieces were designed for everyday life and meet at the intersection of transitional fashion and ancient civilization from southern Nigeria.
Day 3 of NYFW
I wasn't attending the MET Gala but that doesn't mean I couldn't bring MET Gala energy. Day 3's lewk gave blazer and crystal skirt realness. Memphis wardrobe stylist, Jenil Askew, made me this custom skirt and yeaaaaa... she did that!
By Day Three, I was definitely feeling the exhaustion of NYFW but I knew I had to push through. Our first show was the Global Fashion Collective, a platform specializing in supporting creative designers by establishing their presence around the world. I always enjoy the assortment of world designers because it exposes me to new designers and how they embed their culture into every single thread. This season's lineup included Ay Lelum (Vancouver, women's), C'EST D (NY, women's), CEDIM The School of Design (Mexico, women's), Irene de la Vega (Mexico, women's), [unusual] (UAE, men's), SAINTJESUS (Chile, women's), Carlton Jones (NY, women's/men's), SARAL ZENS (China, women's), and Blue Tamburin (Korea, women's/men's).
When I arrived at the Bomb Fashion Show, our girl Olivia Dope was spinning -- it was a whole vibe. The first of its kind, the goal was to increase diversity during New York Fashion Week. Not only was BFS sponsored by Shea Moisture, it also featured two designer ensemble runway shows with beloved brands like Oyemwen, London Couture, and Mah Jing Wong.
Photo Courtesy of Fashion Bomb Daily
Next on the schedule was Deity New York. While Renee Bishop created her black-owned luxury women's wear brand Deity New York, she was determined to leave her mark on her official entrance to NYFW with her signature utilitarian staples designed to make women feel and show up as their best selves.
We love Renee's vision of normalizing black entrepreneurs running luxury brands, so watching the models strut down the runway in her BOLD collection at THE Spring Studios is nothing short of manifestation at work. When thinking about my wardrobe for Spring '22, I'm going to need every look from this collection.
Photo Courtesy of Dynamically Branded PR
One of the events I look forward to the most each season is The Glow Up Meetup. Being surrounded by some of the best and brightest melanated content creators is a badge of honor I don't take lightly. These women move culture and pour into one another authentically. For Glow Up creators, Shay and Tania, it's always been about bringing black women together in a positive space. Saturday night was just that.
Sitting on the Public Hotels rooftop with the most breathtaking views, I kiki'd with some ladies about moving to NYC, how we all are changing the narrative around Black women in luxury and what it really means to be a content creator all while sipping on Moet and nibbling on tuna tartare. If that ain't art imitating life, I don't know what is.
Day 4 of NYFW
For my final outfit, I wanted to serve up "Trench Coat At Your Front Door." Assignment: overstood.
It's now Sunday and the official last day of NYFW. Kevan Hall did what needed to be done and took us to church with his Parisian inspired collection. The architectural structuring, detailed paneling, hand-painted prints, and textured fabrics made for timeless pieces that looked like they were in slow-motion in real-time.
Look no further than Kevan's "Brushstrokes" palette for your spring color mood board. The final walk took me out as the models walked intently to the sounds of a gospel choir singing an upbeat worship song. Even on the front row, I had no choice but to tap my feet and clap like my granny taught me. What a moment!
Photo Courtesy of Kevan Hall Designs
In between shows, I was able to link up with some blogger friends that I hadn't seen in years. These women really taught me so much about the industry and inspired me to keep going when my dreams felt unattainable.
To Sam and Marsha, thank you for being the light I didn't even know I needed. My NYFW journey is nothing without you two.
Courtesy of Joce Blake
To complete my Spring/Summer '22 NYFW, I attended the NOLCHA Shows, a place for independent designers to shine. "Ones to Watch," was the theme this season as they showcased independent fashion brands that epitomize elegance, freedom, and individuality. Each designer came with heat; this was arguably the best Nolcha showcase in years.
While the vibe of NYFW was different due to COVID, it still owes me nothing. I am forever grateful that I get to make my dreams a reality in the Big Apple.
I prayed for this; I love that for me!
To get your fashion fix and to stay up to date with the latest trends, check out the xoNecole Style section here.
Featured image courtesy of Joce Blake
Joce Blake is a womanist who loves fashion, Beyonce and Hot Cheetos. The sophistiratchet enthusiast is based in Brooklyn, NY but has southern belle roots as she was born and raised in Memphis, TN. Keep up with her on Instagram @joce_blake and on Twitter @SaraJessicaBee.
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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If you’re like many other people who are prioritizing wellness these days, then attending a wellness retreat might be something to consider. Wellness retreats are a cool way to get the relaxation you’ve been missing in a space with like-minded people who share a common goal. I descended upon my first wellness retreat, the Mind, Body, + Sol Retreat, a couple of weeks ago at the Zoëtry Agua Punta Cana Resort in Punta Cana, Dominican Republic.
Zoëtry Agua is part of the Inclusive Collection for the World of Hyatt. It is nestled on a secluded part of Uvero Alto beach, which has crystal blue waters. The resort itself is picturesque, with its thatched roofs and lazy rivers that make you feel like you’re in a cute little village.
Mindy, Body, + Sol Retreat was hosted by Koya Webb, holistic health and wellness coach and yoga instructor, and it also featured other wellness practitioners who combined provided the ultimate gift of relaxation and getting back to oneself.
The first night was a Welcome Dinner that featured a five-course meal and an opportunity to meet our companions for the next three days. The food was impeccable and the only downside was that I wasn’t able to finish it all. The next day, however, was the official start of the classes, and I was ready to dive in.
Aura and Chakra Reading
Aura and chakra reading
Photo courtesy
My first class was an aura and chakra reading led by Laura McCann and James Levinson, an Asheville, NC couple. I’ve had chakra readings before, but never like this. There was a computer, a camera, and a scanner, which I placed my hand on for the reading. After two minutes, I received a 15-page report explaining my aura and chakra reading.
It breaks down what the colors of your aura are and what your chakras say. My main colors were green and yellow, which were defined by a variety of things. The top of my aura was green, meaning I have a social mental state and I’m a natural healer. My aura on my left side was yellow meaning my energy flowing is optimistic and light and so on.
After James discussed the findings with me, I then met with Laura, who gave me aromatherapy oils from their ADORAtherapy line that represented each chakra. She further explained the results of my chakra reading and shared how each oil can assist. Chakras are the energy centers in our body, and there is a total of seven: root, sacral, solar plexus, heart, throat, third eye, and crown. All of my chakras were high except for my heart chakra, which I have since been working on. I may follow up about that in another article.
Sound Bath
Sound bath class
Photo courtesy
Next was the sound bath class. It was located in the spa, which was indoor/ outdoor and the perfect setting for this kind of experience. Andrew Francis and Carrie Bailey of Zenden Meditation were the co-pilots in transporting attendees into a place of tranquility. I laid down, closed my eyes, and allowed the sounds around me to bring me into a relaxing state. From the singing bowls to the wind chimes, I was in heaven. I even fell asleep and got some of the best rest I’ve had in a while. It was a beautiful experience. However, remember when I noted it was an indoor/ outdoor venue? I forgot to put on bug spray and woke up pretty itchy. But it didn’t stop me from enjoying the moment.
Tea Party
Art of Tea Ritual Tea Party
Photo courtesy
The last event of the day was the Art of Tea Ritual located in the resort’s tea garden. It was everything you could want in a tea party. Delectable treats such as cookies, cakes, and white chocolate-covered strawberries, which are my fave. And, of course, tea. While I got to sip tea, I also got to make my own tea blend. There were many different teas to choose from, like hibiscus to your regular black tea. I decided to mix rose and mint and I called it RoseMint. I didn’t get to try my tea blend until I got home, and I’ll be honest, it’s probably the best tea I ever had. The tea herbs taste so fresh, and I love how fragrant it smells.
Breathwork
Breathwork Class
Photo Courtesy
The next morning was all about breathwork. If you exercise regularly, then you probably know the importance of breathing. But there’s more to it besides remembering to breathe during your workout. Margaret Townsend is a breathwork facilitator who helps people achieve wellness by consciously changing their breathing patterns. In her class, I learned to change my breathing pattern for energy as well as for relaxation. While I know that breathing is a relaxation tool, I was blown away to learn that it can also energize you. Because it was a different breathing pattern, I was also able to stay present and keep a steady pace.
Yoga
Koya Webb's yoga class
Photo courtesy
The final class of the retreat was evening yoga with Koya Webb, who, as I mentioned earlier, was the host. Her class was held beside the beautiful Uvero Alto beach, which made for a stunning backdrop and the perfect way to end the retreat. It was important for me to get back into my body after not doing yoga for a few weeks, so I was really focused on nailing the moves. However, Koya kept the energy light and fun, evening cracking a few jokes throughout, which made it easy for me to relax and enjoy the moment. She ended the class with a dance break and hugs from our classmates.
The Mind, Body, + Sol Retreat reminded me how important it is to take time to love on myself. Each class was an opportunity to be present and get reacquainted with oneself in the most loving way. Being surrounded by individuals who encouraged my journey was what I needed, and I am so honored to have had this experience.
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