style
Tyra Erickson
April 17, 2023
Photo courtesy of Black Fashion Week MN
New York City aside, the Met Gala is coming to the Twin Cities. The inaugural Met Gala in Minnesota on May 13 will round out the spring lineup of exciting Black Fashion Week MN events. The premier fundraising party will be another success story celebrating Minneapolis’s high-profile and vibrant fashion community and showcasing style and talent. “The theme of the gala is ‘Awesome,'” says Natalie Morrow, founder and CEO of BFWMN. “We want people to dress up as if they were going to the Met in New York City and really have fun.”
This first-ever gala runway show at the Minneapolis Institute of Art will feature designs from BernGouba Designs, SarBarn Couture, Lexurìe Collection, Neekmolac, Rox Jewelry and Von-Taylor. Fashionistas can purchase general admission tickets or opt for a VIP experience with priority seating and a bag of specially designed, limited-edition goodies. After the show, the fun continues with a lively after-party.
Now in its sixth year, BFWMN has grown on its own since it began as part of the Twin Cities Black Film Festival. This highly anticipated series has become a powerful platform to amplify the voices of talented Black creatives in the local fashion industry. For the third consecutive year, Molly’s Auto Group has partnered with BFWMN to support the Fashion Forward Scholarship, which helps up-and-coming designers advance their skills. Other major sponsors include W Hotel Minneapolis, U.S. Bank, and Ciroc.
In the days leading up to this momentous event, BFWMN boasts a robust lineup of exciting productions starting on May 5, including the 50 Years of Hip-Hop Tribute Fashion Show on May 12. Sponsored by Puma and Crown Royal, the runway will showcase designs from No Excuses Brand, Penash, Sonelle Couture, and more. Other can’t-miss experiences include dope conversations with stylists, a fashion and nail show, a fashion soiree, and more.
“BFWMN means a lot to me,” Morrow explains. “It’s time for creatives and change makers to have a platform to produce and present their projects in the Twin Cities. People are fashion, and there is so much talented people here, and I want to encourage the community to share their passion.”
To keep up with BFWMN’s programming and full lineup of designers, follow @BlackFashionWeekMN on Instagram.
