Author: uno_usr_254
Edvin Thompson, Anya Gold, and Antoine Gregory. Photo by Romel Demano/BFA. Everyone keeps saying New York is back, but we can confirm that it is, in fact, officially back. And it’s all thanks to Black Fashion Fair. Founded by fashion multi-talent Antoine Gregory, Black Fashion Fair (BFF) celebrated its one year anniversary this past weekend with a curated dinner at Neuehaus and an epic cocktail after-party at Fotografiska’s Chapel Bar. Hosted by Theofilio founder and designer Edvin Thompson, run by Neuehaus, and generously supported by Migenta Tequila, the evening celebrated Gregory, his fellow Black designers at BFF, and the platform’s…
Wearable art is not new, it has become a normal thing for black people in New York, especially in Harlem – a lifestyle. 55 years ago, the Harlem Fashion Institute (HIF) was founded by Lois K. Alexander Lane, and a few years later the institute organized its own fashion shows during Harlem Week. These shows ran from 1979 to 1996, but the spirit and style seen on these streets never ended. Today, the exhibition “Showing Out: Fashion in Harlem” at the Schomburg Center for Research in Black Culture at the New York Public Library pays tribute to the legendary art…
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 June 19th in Brooklyn, Black Fashion Fair founder Antoine Gregory and designer Edvin Thompson of Theofilio, a 2021 CFDA/Vogue Fashion Fund honoree, teamed up to throw “Family Reunion,” a party in celebration of Juneteenth. “Family Reunion is an exploration of the Black experience through photography, and our Family Reunion capsule with Theophilio not only expands the idea of representation in fashion, but also reimagines and reevaluates our own family photography,” Gregory said. The guest list included clients, friends and family. Guests could purchase a vintage black or brown T-shirt and submit their own family photo for a $178 T-shirt…
We all know that the fashion industry is one of the most underrepresented sectors. The lack of gender and racial diversity has heavily impacted the success stories we’ve seen, both in front of and behind the camera. The importance of Black culture in the fashion industry is indisputable. We can’t help but recall its influence, be it athleisure or ’90s nostalgia. Throughout history, Black people have been the muses behind many of fashion’s most notable trends and are the reason why our favorite trends today have risen so quickly. And we’re not just talking about social media clout or the…
In celebration of Black History Month, EDGExpo offers a glimpse into the lives of eight Black fashion makers and influencers who have used the power of fashion to transform their identity and culture.”A Study of Eight” celebrates the extraordinary contributions of Black fashion designers and influential people to fashion history. This curated editorial project highlights culturally and historically significant people and events from 1880 to 1980.Publications editor Rhonda P. Hill said she had always wanted to be involved with a project like “A Study Of Eight,” which showcases the work of underrepresented people and delves deep into overlooked parts of…
Black Fashion Fair has teamed up with Brooklyn-based label Theofilio for its first official capsule collection, BAZAAR.com can exclusively reveal. The e-commerce platform and designer Edvin Thompson have teamed up to launch a Family Portrait capsule. Available in six colorways, the gorgeous t-shirts feature nostalgic imagery from Thompson’s own childhood. Delicately embellished with crystal embroidery, each t-shirt features one of two images: one featuring Thompson and his family posing for a portrait, while the other is a natural shot from the designer’s home island of Jamaica. The release of this collaborative collection follows Theofilio’s Fall/Winter 2021 collection presentation at New…
Anyone who knows local transportation planner, Shundria Brewer, knows she loves fashion, so when asked about the difference between appreciating fashion and appropriating it, she says she’s passionate about it.”It’s cool to do black things, but it’s not cool to be black,” Brewer said. “Everyone wants to wear black clothes and listen to black music, but no one wants the hardships that come with being black.”At this point you may be asking: “What is the difference between fashion appreciation and appropriation?””There’s a fine line between the two. The difference is being respectful and respectful of the culture when you’re wearing…
Nordstrom’s in-store pop-up program, New Concepts@Nordstrom, is celebrating Black History Month by spotlighting Black fashion. The department store retailer’s latest offering in the program is called Black_Space, which it describes as “celebrating Black creativity through fashion and retail.” Located in 12 Nordstrom locations and online, the shop features 28 Nordstrom-owned fashion and beauty brands and is curated by five Black creators. The assortment includes men’s and women’s clothing, with prices ranging from $20 to over $1,600. Each of the five curators’ selections will be represented through in-store setups and merchandising, as well as an online site experience that will include…
The intricacies of Black culture are deeply woven into the fabric of the fashion industry in everything from language and hairstyles to aesthetics and trends. Yet fashion’s greatest inspirations are constantly erased from history. Bantu knots have become space buns, durags are now cutting edge high fashion, and bamboo earrings have become runway-worthy jewelry, all in the name of cultural appropriation. Black culture has served as the muse behind some of fashion’s biggest movements and designer collections, yet has rarely received any credit or acknowledgment.The unsung heroes and hidden forces of Black designers, stylists, and creatives have given far more…