February is the first fashion month of the year chock-full of fashion weeks hosted all around he world. It's the month that holds all the trends that will prevail in the fall. We had the amazing opportunity to attend some amazing shows all over the concrete jungle. Trends like capes, leather and puff pieces are on the horizon for the later months. Romeo Hunte, Fe Noel, JUST IN XX and Rene Tyler are just a few of the collections we can't stop thinking about as they have us ecstatic for fall.
Ahead, find our trend report based on what we spotted on the runways during NYFW.
Trend: Ponchos & Capes
Gabriella Hearst, Brandon Maxwell
Gabriella Hearst: TeenVogue -- Brandon Maxwell:
Consider the cape and poncho your new coats for fall. You heard it right â the 2000s trend is back and ready to warm your fashionable hearts. Best of all, there are options for everyone in every style group. If you're more Sporty Spice, you can opt for a cozy knitted poncho. If you're more Posh Spice, you would be more comfortable in a sleek cape paired with an equally chic bottom.
Trend: Glitz & Glamour
Romeo Hunte, Tom Ford, Area
Romeo Hunte: Courtesy of Purple PR -- Tom Ford: Refinery29 -- Area: FootwearNews
The runways were dripping with diamonds, metallics and so many more shiny pieces. It seems like the goals was to light up any room you step in with extravagant jewels. Romeo Hunte reimagined the biker chick with elevated fringe while Tom Ford went straight Hollywood glam with bows and a high slit. Then there's Area's take on a funky but fun romper.
Texture: Leather
The Arlo Studio, Self-Portrait, Coach, Son Jung Wan
The Arlo Studio: Courtesy of Global Fashion Collective -- Self-Portrait: Vogue -- Coach: Marie Claire -- Son Jung Wan: Courtesy of Deborah Hughes Inc
There's nothing more classic than leather and much like this season the buttery texture will be heading into fall with us. Try to find more opulent staples like jumpsuits, dresses and skirts. While we all love a good moto jacket, we want to amp it up come fall. We especially fell in love The Arlo Studio's olive green jumpsuit because it's simple and uncomplicated. If you want to baby step your way into the texture, cop a leather trench coat as you can easily couple it with so many looks.
Color: White
Baja East, Sukeina, JUST IN XX
Baja East: Vogue -- Sukeina: Haute Fashion Africa -- JUST IN XX: Courtesy of Agentry PR
White is a controversial hue during the fall months with old ancient myths saying you shouldn't wear white after Labor Day. In actuality, white is even more hot and trendy after September. Whether you dress in head-to-toe white or choose one standout piece, you will stun everyone. White remains an effervescent color that is a perfect image of modern minimalism. Baja East, Sukeina and JUST IN XX's collections are the proof.
Trend: Puff Pieces
Christian Cowan, LaQuan Smith
Christian Cowan: Flaunt -- LaQuan Smith: Essence
Christian Cowan and LaQuan Smith weren't the only designers showing off some major puff pieces but these two looks were definitely our faves. We believe it's because both designers aim to help women feel sexy and comfortable in their own skin and that includes staying warm stylishly. We can look forward to pieces in all shapes, sizes and staples. For example, do you see these puffer boots!? *insert fire emoji*
Loved to See It: Fe Noel's NYFW Debut
Essence
Fe Noel made her New York Fashion Week debut this February and it left us speechless. The energy leading up to the Grenadan artist's show was nothing short of magical as her family, friends and sea of supporters filed into Spring Studios. The show started with a heart-wrenching, bass jumping film featuring the Caribbean designer's roots.
The premiere of the collection, "Daughter of the Soil", showcased models mostly of the melanin persuasion in romantic and feminine garments. From flowing silk dresses to printed robes to coordinate sets that made you want to jet set to the islands immediately, we were left in awe of Fe Noel's artisanship, intentionality and grace behind this collection.
Loved to See It: Body Positivity!
Rene Tyler, Chromat
Rene Tyler: Courtesy of Oxford Fashion Studio -- Chromat: Flaunt
Rene Tyler and Chromat gave us so much life with their inclusive collections. Seeing women that reflect the world we live in is so important in fashion. The average woman is a size 14 so to see collections that embrace women of all sizes speaks volumes. We have more progress to make but it was enlightening to see two collections dedicated to the diversity and inclusion. Rene Tyler served up classy sex appeal while Chromat gave us our next athleisure vibes.
Photography by Dani Elle Moore
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Featured image by Getty Images
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Some women have their whole wedding planned out, from the bridal gown and venue to the bridal party and playlist. However, KJ was not one of those people. âI didnât foresee a wedding in my future,â she reveals. âI was just gonna be the boss chick, rich auntie. I didnât force love in my life until recently. I never had an idea of what a dream wedding would look like, it was easier for me to elope.â
KJ Smith
Photo by Stanley Babb/ Stanlo Photography
And to many peopleâs surprise, that was their original plan â until Skyh brought up a valid concern. He was raised by his grandmother and thought she should be at the wedding, and naturally, that led to KJ wanting her grandmother to be there as well â then her mom â and later her sister â and, youâve gotta invite the besties too, right? From there, the guest list continued to blossom. Much like the updo and pop of color bold red lip, she wore on her special day, which was initially on her Pinterest board as a soft glam look with her hair hanging on her shoulders, KJ is okay with changing her plan if it brings her and her loved ones happiness.
So letâs get into the wedding, which took place in Malibu, CA. The first thing you should know about the celebrity couple is that theyâre non-traditional. They know, and they donât care. So, in true unconventional fashion, they shared the morning of the wedding together.
âI woke up with Skyh, we walked our dog, had black coffee, and said good morning to the people who stayed at the venue with us,â she says.
Now, it was time for hair and makeup. While she was getting glammed up, she had Black-owned McBride Sisters wine and champagne (which ties into The Black Experience theme) on deck with her mom and friends, had her besties help rework her vows, retried on every outfit (sis is very Type-A), took photos, and ended the early-celebration with prayer and meditation. It seems very non-Bridezilla, I said.
âYeah, I was the most unbothered bride ever. Everyone was just so supportive. As entertainers, we go on red carpets all the time. We actually have a production company,â she explains. âThe get-ready process was like a day at work, but with people we love the most. Being entertainers, we didnât feel stressed at all, but my excitement was so high.â
Things moved quickly, and before she knew it, it was time to line up to walk down the aisle.
âYeah, I was the most unbothered bride ever. Everyone was just so supportive. As entertainers, we go on red carpets all the time. We actually have a production company. The get-ready process was like a day at work, but with people we love the most. Being entertainers, we didnât feel stressed at all, but my excitement was so high.â
KJ Smith and her bridal party
Photo by Stanley Babb/ Stanlo Photography
Since everything started with their grandmothers, the couple wanted to ensure they honored them and planned to keep an element of their wedding traditional. Although weâve all seen the reception videos and photos online, you may have noticed visuals from the wedding itself are harder to find.
âWe planned for it to be traditional, but weâre not like that, so we tried to create those moments. We jumped the broom and had a salt ceremony (where the bride and groom individually pour salt into a glass container, symbolizing their lives becoming one.) But honestly, still, nothing was traditional about it.â
She goes on to explain that her mom caught the holy ghost coming down the aisle, her glam team was on deck, and she became so nervous with excitement that she had an anxiety attack â something she struggled with for years, she explains tearfully. Her friends had to literally cheer her down the aisle because of how overwhelmed she felt until she eventually calmed down.
âSkyh was standing there with his hand on his heart; we have our own little language, and I could feel the support,â she shares.
It was surprising to hear all these emotional moments happened before the party we saw online. That is until she once again got into the backstory.
âAs a Black woman actress, for so long, it was popular to be mysterious and secretive, but thatâs not who I am or what I like. Plus, we both wanted to create an experience for everyone there. We are the people who always host family and friends,â she says. âLike for me, the first order of business was getting sandals for the women so they can dance all night long. We had oxtail, D'ussĂ©, and a coffee and sativa lounge â which is part of Skyh and Iâs lifestyle and routine. We wanted to bring them into our world.â
Skyh Black (L) and KJ Smith (R)
Photo by Stanley Babb/ Stanlo Photography
She went on to discuss the dance routine she did for her husband at the reception, which has taken over the internet. Apparently, thatâs another thing that didnât go according to plan. According to KJ, she had promised a performance at their joint bachelor/ bachelorette party, but her outfit got stolen from her car. So, Skyh ended up performing for her â complete with a strip tease. Still, she never forgot her promise to dance for him.
So, she hired her friend as a choreographer, learned the routine, made friends and family watch it endless times, and attended BeyoncĂ©âs Renaissance show a few days before for a confidence boost. It ended up being a show to remember. But that wasnât all the night offered. Lil Mo performed, and the guests received special goody bags featuring their favorite Black-owned products like journals, hair care, and more.
âWe made sure everyone was taken care of all night. That kind of stuff makes us happy. I wanted everyone there to experience the joy and love I have for myself, my partner, and for them. I wanted them to feel full and whole, and they had the time of their lives,â she says.
But naturally, the internet is going to internet, and while there were countless people praising the event and applauding the newlyweds, some thought it was too over the top. I was curious to know her thoughts on some of the criticism.
âItâs cool. We did what we wanted to do. Iâve decided to share my world with people. Just how I went on social media platforms and found inspiration, I want people to do the same,â she explains. âI donât think it's fair to my supporters not to give that out. Thereâs so much I wanna share with brides, specifically Black brides. I love that people are adding it to their Pinterest boards."
"I wanted everyone there to experience the joy and love I have for myself, my partner, and for them. I wanted them to feel full and whole, and they had the time of their lives."
KJ Smith
Photo by Stanley Babb/ Stanlo Photography
âIâm happy with it because we did what we wanted to do. They can do what they wanna do. Donât be cruel, though, because you will get blocked,â she said, laughing.
The more I spoke with her, the more her sense of freedom shined through. People are always going to have their opinions, but at the end of the day, itâs you who has to live your life, and it seems like the couple realizes that and embraces that power. She also stressed the importance of not living for others and the lessons life has taught her.
âIâve been to countless weddings, and Iâve been in countless weddings. Iâm a generally older bride. So when women in my demographic get married, and you and your husband are busy working people like us, you deserve to have the one you want to have,â she shares.
âThis is what we wanted to do. Our loved ones love and support us. We did so much to honor them, but we also wanted to start our own tradition, legacy, and creation. I'm not going to be pulled back into ideas of the past when Iâm trying to create a future with my partner. â
If youâd like to see more of the couple, you probably wonât have to wait long. Although no content is planned yet, she admits to being an oversharer. âMe being open and transparent about my experiences lets people know itâs okay to have flaws; it makes you human, and for many years, I didnât believe that was okay. I had pressure to be perfect, and Iâd crumble every time,â she explains to xoNecole.
Now, she owns her flaws and uses them as a superpower to connect with her community and feel and express her love.
âSome people give us [Skyh and KJ] a hard time because they say we just seem too perfect. Iâm like, why is that a bad thing? I love the people I love. From my man to my mama, to my friends - unabashedly. We move through time and space how we want to move. If we did it another way, weâd let ourselves and our union down.â
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Feature image by Stanley Babb/ Stanlo Photography
