By Amber D. Dodd
On AUG 27, in the National Harbor’s MGM Casino’s Theater, a lone runway darts into a stage hidden by plum-colored curtains, lit up by bronze lights.
This color scheme was a reminder that summer is over. But fashion never dies.
Just tone down your papaya and peach blouses for pumpkin-orange button downs. Stash that lavender eyeshadow. Switch for a Baltimore Ravens’ purple.
To close the summer, NY Fashion Meets DC geared up for their second fashion show, highlighting local designers and their ability to display creativity and artistic tastes. This is their first show since 2019.
“It was a lot of work, but with everyone that came and helped to assist us, it was pretty good and I appreciate that,” said Adrian Kennedy, the founder of NY Fashion Meets DC. “When you think about people, creativity and what they have to add and distribute, this is for people to show a different perspective of how they can connect with their community and show their creativity.”
All who were involved completed the goal of introducing communal aspects of fashion, while centering Black, local designers. This year’s show featured eight designers; Angelia Cooper (Angelinas Couture), Adia “Marjani” Walker (Dakueregansu), International designer Norma Ebanks (Creative Fashion & Design), Starbrille Cooper (Once Upon a Time Boutique), Tygerian Lace Burke (Tygerian Lace), Regional Wilson (La Vincient), Michelle Walden (Michi Knitwear) and Belle Flowers (Chante La Belle Epoque).
Flowers has been a fashion designer since 2010 and graduated from the ART Institute of Washington. Her catalog featured standout street and swim wear, including a drawn out, exaggerated backless bikini for an exotic getaway.
A DC native, Flowers said NY Fashion Meets DC served its purpose of connecting diverse fashion markets while still centering local designers and models. The show was a moment to “build brand awareness through showcases.”
“There was a guy that I met here tonight, he told me he liked my fashion and he also explained that he’s from Ohio and shared how some of Ohio’s flavor is really into dressing,” Flowers said. “That type of thing is always interesting for networking and learning about other people and our cultures.”
In the modeling world, fashion shows are a dreamy bonanza filled with beauty, opportunity and networking. Christian Scruggs and Robbie Arias, two mid-twenties male models, agreed with Flowers’ sentiments.
With all eight designers sharing models, the duo will have a plethora of catwalk looks to include in their portfolios, along with new model acquaintances to localize their connections. Scruggs and Arias met through the DC-based modeling agency, Proof Modeling.
“You always find people within the industry that make it so much easier,“ Arias said. “It’s so much more fun. You get to enjoy the actual ride.”
Scruggs echoed Arias’ sentiments.
“I think (local fashion shows) can represent a smaller-knit community and actually expand that community and give them more exposure through networking,” said Scruggs. “We all know somebody, and we can have that domino effect. It’s really cool just how people all around the world can be connected through fashion.”
Producer, actress and on-air talent Jacinth Headlam hosted NY Fashion Meets DC festivities.
“This is likely one of the biggest areas I’ve ever hosted at, I loved this location so much,” Headlam said. “…I love the fact that right out here in Chocolate City, we had New York Fashion week right here.”
Leading up to the fashion show finale, NY Fashion Meets DC also hosted a virtual seminar and discussions through WhoVa, a tech platform that holds virtual conferences. The Creative Minds Expo welcomed attendees to network with one another over shared values, including how-to build a successful brand and secrets to maintaining businesses in the ever changing world. Spirituality, motivational speaking, and mental health wellness were common themes.
“It’s surrounded by creativity and bringing people together, “ Kennedy said. “The turn out wasn’t what we wanted it to be, but it was still a start.”
‘People in Media & Film’ was the only in-person seminar for The Creative Minds Expo. From nonprofit consultant Mack Graham to ALIVE Podcast Network Owner Angel Livas, six panel members shared their experiences of battling the world for their dreams, and winning.
Photo Taken by John Piitt Via Edits by Ken Rochen
“These people are sitting up here next to me because they are hard workers, they’re trailblazers, they fought against the odds to survive and work their way to the top,” Headlam, who served as the panel moderator, said. “…I salute you guys, seriously. It takes heart to do these things we do.”
Bubbly and blithe, Headlam’s energy was the perfect pick-me-up to conclude NY Fashion Meets DC three-day festivities. She kicked off the show looking for the flyest outfits she could find. Before liability issues came about, a crowd-participant amateur catwalk session ensued. One woman sported her fluffy-feather mini white dress with equally green frilly shoes. Someone wearing tri-colored kimono, representing the non-binary flag colors, with lavender lightning bolt-shaped glasses waltzed the runway too.
DJ Giovanni pumped livelihood into the night. Electric and upbeat, he curated a combination of afrobeats, R&B and rap. (One could only expect any of the glitzy, dance bops from Beyonce’s RENAISSANCE. Alien Superstar? Made for the runway.)
Wilson’s La Vincient, Walden’s Michi Knitwear and Ebanks’ Creative Fashion & Design summer line were some of the standouts of the show. Founded in the Cayman Islands, Ebanks is an international-award-winning designer, with looks that reflect the love and joy commonly associated with the summer. Her vibrant colorways were straight from the Caribbean color palette.
“My collection is ready to wear,” Ebanks said. “It’s on the runway but you can take it anywhere – a party, a dance, a ball, a gala. Anywhere is where you can wear my collection to.”
Chardell Moore, a multi-disciplinary artist and founder of communications company, Motivation Moore, performed her song ‘Glow’ during the show intermission. Headlam encouraged networking by mic-passing to audience members during outfit changes. Local realtors such as Luchiea Hinnant and representatives of the Baltimore-based nonprofit, The Calming Leaf Foundation, plugged their mission purpose and elevator pitches.
“There’s power in collaboration, and when you bring everyone together from the models to the stylists to the volunteers behind the scenes, bringing art, fashion and all of that together, it all speaks to the power of collaboration,” Headlam said. “We needed this. That’s why I was having so much fun up there.”
Between Headlam’s hosting and designer looks, audience members snapped photos and IG lives of their own outfits. I flaunted my all-black sabbatical leather look, posing in mysterious deep blue lighting reminiscent of the bottomless, creative subconscious.
Rooted in my individuality, these photos reminded me that community is what really honors creativity. The festivities and success of NY Fashion Meets DC spoke to that universal sentiment.
Amber D. Dodd (she/her) is an award-winning writer with a special interest in contextualizing Black America. She is a former Racial-Equity Reporter and an assistant nonfiction editor at Sundog Literary Magazine and also edits poetry. Her nonfiction can be seen in Carefree Mag, CP Quarterly and Stellium Literary Magazine. She is a Latin scholar. She is the founder of blaQplight, a storytelling platform for the Black and queer community. More of Amber’s information can be found at https://amberddodd.com.
By Amber D. Dodd