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Near Bedford Street in Williamsburg, a surprisingly stylish crowd came out of their homes and cheered each other on. On Thursday night, Black people in the fashion industry gathered on a super-cool block in Brooklyn’s historic neighborhood that was once home to a large Puerto Rican population, for the ESSENCE Best in Black Fashion Awards, an evening celebrating the industry’s key boosters. Attendees wore brands like Theofilio, Lua, Hanifa, Maison Margiela, and Dries Van Noten.
This memorable evening was sponsored by Smart Water, JCPenney and Diet Coke, catered by Brooklyn favorite Kokomo and hosted by Chasity Saunders throughout the night. It was especially exhilarating to see the award recipients, including Sergio Hudson, Telfar Clemens, Carlos Nazario, Antoine Gregory and Brandice Daniels, receiving their bouquets. The atmosphere was elegant and the atmosphere was warm and celebratory.
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The enlightening moment came right after ESSENCE’s Director of Content Nandi Howard introduced Carlos Nazario. The Stylist of the Year winner shared his background from Queens and how he moved to Paris a few years ago to start his fashion journey. In his unique speech, he also mentioned that he believed in himself enough to follow his dreams. And now, he is living a life beyond his wildest dreams. “I once dreamed of what I’m doing and seeing now,” Nazario said. Before concluding his speech, he added that he stands on the backs of giants like June Ambrose, Edward Enninful, and Andre Leon Talley.
Another key moment of the night was Brandis Daniels accepting this year’s Impact Award. Before Daniels took the stage, Caroline A. Wanga, CEO of Essence Ventures, delivered a heartfelt tribute to the founder of Harlem’s Fashion Row: “The way you operate in the world, the way you present yourself as the best, is by driving impact.” [and] Wanga urged the attendees to continue supporting Black-owned businesses and fashion brands: “If we all made a conscious decision to spend 5-10% of our closets on Black-owned brands, it would change the entire industry. Imagine having Black brands on Wall Street.” Daniels also thanked Mickey Taylor, Misa Hilton, their families, and others who have been instrumental in helping her.
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Antoine Gregory, founder of Black Fashion Fair, an e-commerce marketplace for Black brands, also won Emerging Creator of the Year. Gregory shared his perspective on carving out his own path in an industry he cut his teeth in years ago. Sergio Hudson also won Designer of the Year. Hudson reflected on members of his community who supported and inspired him, including his husband, parents, business partners and close friends. He also spoke about memorable moments in his professional career, including his move from South Carolina to Los Angeles and meeting Nate Hinton, founder of the Hinton Group, who has represented him for years. Fashion Campaign of the Year went to Telfar Clemens, a popular Liberian designer from Queens.
Overall, the vibe in the room was powerful. Great food, great drinks, and great conversation dominated the evening. What stood out most was the sense of community and trust that permeated the entire rooftop.
