By Betty Coker, Editor in Chief  For World Liberty TV

The event also honored Ciara, Mobolaji Dawodu, Law Roach and Mikki Taylor and showcased fashion designers Kapasa Musonda, Bishme Cromartie, Miko Underwood and Prep Curry.

On Thursday, September 5th, Harlem’s Fashion Row (HFR) hosted their 12th Annual Fashion Show and Style Awards Dinner at the One World Observatory in Manhattan. Celebrity guest Jay Manuel, Shameik Moore and Model JoAnie Johnson was in attendance.

The evening began with the exciting HFR Style Awards dinner that honored Ciara, Grammy Award winning singer/songwriter, producer, model and actress.

 

She was the recipient of the Icon 360 Award, which recognizes individuals who inspire and contribute to the advancement of minorities in all areas of fashion, beauty, business, philanthropy and entertainment.

Mikki Taylor, Editor at Large of Essence Magazine, was the recipient of the Lifetime Editor Award; Law Roach, Celebrity Stylist and Image Architect, received the Stylist of the Year Award. Mobolaji Dawodu, Style Fashion Editor and Fashion Director at GQ Style, was the recipient of the Maverick Award.

The fashion show portion of the evening featured a runway presentation by Bishme Cromartie, a Baltimore, Maryland native and Prep Curry, a luxury sportswear brand.

Kapasa Musonda was HFR’s first international designer, who presented her Zambian based ‘Afro-Eclectic womenswear brand, Mangishi Doll. Miko Underwood, the founder of Oak and Acorn, showcased Harlem’s first sustainable denim-based brand.

The evening concluded with the announcement of the launch of the new “In the Black” e-commerce site. The online boutique introduced curated merchandise from select designers of color. The new platform is the brainchild of Brandice Daniel, founder and owner of HFR.

HFR’s In the Black launched with Undra Celeste New York, one of the designers that worked on the HFR x LeBron James collaboration for Nike as well as the designers that presented during the fashion show.

Every eight weeks there will be new styles and new designers on the website that consumers can purchase from and learn about.

BET Her served as the evening’s presenting sponsor and SheaMoisture served as the official beauty sponsor. Additional supporters included: Gap Inc., Ciroc White Grape, Nike, and The CFDA, who joined in on celebrating people of color within the fashion industry.

Following the event, HFR and Gap Inc. will host a breakfast on Friday, September 6th with selected designers to discuss fashion and the designers will have the opportunity to showcase their work.

ABOUT HARLEM’S FASHION ROW:Harlem’s Fashion Row (HFR) is an Influential Arts & Entertainment organization that engages audiences and aligns brand partners with emerging designers of color in Fashion.

HFR’s mission is to discover and showcase emerging talent of color through a platform of national events and customized multi-platform programs.

We initiate innovative events which attract a multitude of diverse influencers connected to the fashion industry. Within this industry HFR events have become the preferred event, providing a platform for emerging fashion talent of color.

Harlem’s Fashion Row has defined artistic, cultural and social trends for the past 11 years, and helped launch the careers of countless influential designers and countless others have made their debut with HFR.

Our objective is simply to provide real business opportunities to people of color in fashion to showcase their skills and abilities in an industry, which is often non-accessible to this group.

See More about New York Fashion Week 2019, (NYFW2019) in our World Liberty TV Fashion and Fashion Review Channels and blogs by clicking here.