Christian Cody
For the recent Juneteenth celebration, Black Fashion Fair and Theofilio hosted an event called “Family Reunion” at Industry City NYC. The celebration was a way for Black creatives and allies to come together, enjoy each other’s company, and celebrate their recent collaborative capsule collection themed around the Black family. The timing of the event coincided with the start of summer, as state restrictions were eased and curfews were lifted, as well as an opportunity for most people to come together as a community for the first time since the pandemic began. The atmosphere for the event was set on a small green grass field within the complex, where attendees could enjoy the sunny weather and take in the views of their surroundings.
The lawn was covered with Black Fashion Fair branded blankets and had snacks and games for guests to enjoy. Guests were photographed by photographer Christian Cody against a vibrant blue backdrop, allowing friends and family to flaunt their melanin throughout the day. The fun didn’t end with an interactive element to the event. Olivee Floral, a Black-owned florist founded by Carla Smith Brown, also set up a mini-shop where guests could choose from a selection of flowers and plants for complimentary floral arrangements wrapped in Black Fashion Fair branded newspaper. “We literally wanted to give flowers to Black people,” said Antoine Gregory, owner of BFF. The penultimate interactive element was a pop-up shop run by designer Edvin Thompson’s Theophilio, where guests could get up close and personal with his beautiful creations, purchase anything that caught their eye, and meet the designer.
The event was a direct reflection of a barbecue with family and friends, where guests danced together, enjoyed food and drinks, played games, and sang along to a surprise live performance. The surprise performance was the final interactive element of this magical event. “The energy was so captivating, it felt like coming home with family,” says photographer Joshua Renfroe. The smooth vibrations of classic hip hop songs, R&B jams, and reggae filled the space, creating an intimate environment where guests felt comfortable being their true selves. Creating an authentic space where Black people can feel immersed and surrounded by their culture is a gap that is often found in certain industries, but Black Fashion Fair certainly filled that gap with Family Reunion.
Later in the night, guests were treated to an intimate performance by Elle Varner, where everyone gathered in front of the stage to dance and sing along to the beautiful melody. The crowd, filled with afros, cornrows, dreadlocks, durags and Telfer bags, was humming and harmonizing. A light rain started to fall as Elle Varner was singing fan favorite song “Refill,” but unfazed, Ms. Varner and her guests continued to sing along at the top of their lungs. Then came another exciting artist, Theophilus London. The Trinidadian rapper and singer delivered a unique sound that filled the body with rhythm and the desire to dance, while Theophilus looked amazing in full look.
Gregory said the goal of Family Reunion was to celebrate the Black experience. He wanted it to be an open space where everyone could easily access each element. And because the event is purely about community, they forego security for performers to keep it intimate.
Aside from the memorable performances, Christian Cody’s portraits were definitely the highlight of the event. Stylish guests lined up to have their photos taken with family and friends against the oil painting as a backdrop, and Cody did a fantastic job capturing the essence of everyone.
ESSENCE: Why is it important for Black people to document their experiences?
Gregory: The only way our stories are told meaningfully is if we tell them ourselves. A lot gets lost when we let others tell them. When non-Black photographers photograph us, the images are stereotypical and don’t exemplify the diversity of the Black experience. Ultimately, a lot of history gets lost if we don’t document it.
ESSENCE: How did hosting Family Reunion tie into the goals of the Black Fashion Fair?
Gregory: BFF’s sole purpose is to discover and elevate Black designers and the communities they inspire. That’s exactly what this event was about. I partnered with an amazing young designer, Edvin Thompson, to spotlight our community with our capsule and event. I wanted people to be able to meet designers, build relationships, and create community. BFF has always put our community first and is using fashion as a vehicle for progress.
ESSENCE: How would you describe the experience of gathering for a family reunion on Juneteenth?
Thompson: It was amazing to say the least. Family reunions in the U.S. are celebrated a little differently than how we celebrate family reunions in Jamaica. But it was really cool to see how this experience brought communities together and the stories that I have of building bridges between Jamaica and the U.S. and fostering a space for our own vision.
The family reunion was sure to be a memorable event and one that the BFFs look forward to every year as they plan to make it an annual event. It combined all the hallmarks of a traditional family reunion and more, as the community came together to celebrate their shared traditions and culture.
