Fourteen years ago, Memphis native Brandice Daniel decided to create a space to uplift, support, and celebrate Black creatives in the fashion industry. Last night she returned to the steps of the Harlem brownstone where it all started. This time, she was not alone. Harlem Row’s 14th Annual Harlem Fashion Show Style Awards brought out over 400 invited guests, which nearly filled up an entire neighborhood block.
Vogue’s Anna Wintour presented Carlos Nazario with this year’s Editor of the Year award. Designer Fe Noel warmly celebrated Zerina Akers before virtually giving her the Stylist of the Year honor. Daniel praised Christopher John Rogers before crowning him Designer of the Year. Award-winning journalist Constance White spoke of legendary stylist Freddie Leiba’s history-making career and venerated him with a Lifetime Achievement plaque. Daniel celebrated model, entrepreneur, and philanthropist Liya Kebede with the Style Icon award. The ceremony culminated with Daniel surprising fashion labels Harbison, June79, Johnathan Hayden, and Tier with $10,000 Icon360 x Crown Royal grants.
After the awards ceremony, Harbison kicked off the fashion show segment, giving us a glimpse of the brand’s collaboration with Banana Republic. The collection, which launches this October, was filled with fall-ready trenches and color block dresses. Next, June79, a label founded by Shawn Pean, sent models down the runway in a combination of tailored trousers, bomber jackets, and double-breasted cardigans. Johnathan Hayden changed up the tone with floral and abstract printed skirts, dresses, and a dreamy gown that seemed to take flight in the Harlem night’s cool breeze.
Nigeria Ealey, Esaïe Jean Simon, and Victor James, founders of Tier, took their signature collection of elevated loungewear to the next level with mesh dresses, leather trousers, and sleek cargos. For the finale, Harbison closed out the evening with high-shine metallic ruched dresses sprinkled amongst a neutral palette of relaxed trousers, shirting with midriff-baring slits, and dresses with detached sleeves.
While there were many new faces in the crowd and it certainly felt like a new era of support, the celebration was much more than just a moment. Daniel’s words describe it best: “After being in New York for over 10 years, I realize there is not a new renaissance but a forever renaissance with Harlem and Black people,” she said. “We never stop evolving and creating.”
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