New York Fashion Week is here again, and The Glow Up Black Fashion Week Calendar is your guide to what’s happening daily! I’ll be front and center, bringing you all the news from the world of black fashion designers, models and glam squads.
The presentation of the Fall/Winter 2018 collections is an exciting time, a moment when we hope that we—as journalists, creators and consumers of fashion—can proactively change more than hemlines and silhouettes. How? By supporting black design talent in the marketplace and mentoring talent behind the scenes in fashion, too.
#BreakingSilenceBreakingCeilings is an educational and workplace empowerment campaign for designers of color that’s gaining ground. You can use the hashtag to follow and repost; I also recommend signing the petition urging Vogue/CFDA Fashion Fund to institute fair and inclusive practices.
This week, The Glow Up will keep you up-to-date on all the most influential and upcoming trends. For instance, the joyous display we saw on the Black Panther purple carpet is going to reverberate globally on the runways this season, starting with the Black Panther: Welcome to Wakanda show next week!
We’ll also be harnessing the power of personal style, from the streets to the decision-makers in executive suites across the fashion industry. Fashion moves fast, so check back with us daily for updates. We’ll see you on the runways!
Tuesday, Feb. 6
For New York City dwellers, tonight’s the “Black Is Beautiful: Fashion and Consciousness” exhibit at the Museum of the City of New York, featuring the work of seminal Afrocentric photographer Kwame Brathwaite from the 1950s through the ’70s.
Brathwaite’s eye forcefully projected a new vision of black female beauty based on a vocabulary of dark skin and natural hair, with images of everyday women who elegantly defied you to deny the power of their beauty without saying a word. Catch tonight’s lecture on Brathwaite’s body of work—hosted by Kwame S. Brathwaite, the son of the legendary artist and also a photographer, and designer Mimi Plange. Tickets are $15 online or at the door (6:30 p.m.).
Wednesday, Feb. 7
Constance C.R. White appears at Bloomingdale’s to fete her new book, How to Slay: Inspiration From the Kings and Queens of Black Style, a fashion tome dedicated to all the fly honeys and fly guys, from Diana Ross to Beyoncé, and how to get their style (6 p.m.).
Lil Yachty drops his Breaking Classic collection with Reebok at a private presentation on the Hudson River set in a classic-car showroom.
Thursday, Feb. 8
The Griggs Brothas are the design duo that takes athleisure to new heights. Along with accessories brand Rebels and Dons, they’ll be hosted by jewelry designer Lulu Frost for a live “Common Thread” workshop at her SoHo store (4 p.m.).
Friday, Feb. 9
Cushnie et Ochs, who make relentlessly sexy clothes for the drop-dead sophisticate who lives deep in all of our souls, will no doubt sizzle on the runway again this season. Check out the show here (6:30 p.m.).
Telfar Global, a CFDA Award-winning label grabbing attention not only for its designs but also for its gender-bending approach to fashion, promises a lively presentation starring Dev Hynes, Ian Isiah, Selah Marley, Kelela, Kelsey Lu, Angel, the LeFrak Vocal Choir and surprise guests (9 p.m.).
Saturday, Feb. 10
Christian Siriano of Project Runway fame, who dresses so many women so wonderfully for the red carpet—from Leslie Jones to January Jones—is a designer who knows how to cut for curves. The show is private, but you can view it here (4 p.m.).
Pyer Moss, designed by new talent on the rise Kirby Jean Raymond, will show its collection of signature blazers and overcoats, rendered in innovative proportions with statement details on cuffs and lapels, along with slogan T-shirts and hoodies. You can catch the show online (8:30 p.m.).
Sunday, Feb. 11
Naeem Khan, the designer behind Eve’s crystal-striped suit that stole the red carpet at the Grammys, is sure to dazzle again on the runway. The Glow Up will be backstage to capture the hair-and-makeup situation (3 p.m.).
Romeo Hunte, whom I like to call the “Outerwear Romantic” for his ardent love affair with buffalo-check plaid jackets and endlessly inventive use of camo, brings his love of the urban wild onto the runway, much to the delight of fans like Beyoncé and Zendaya (12 p.m.).
Wednesday, Feb. 14
On the final day of fashion week, LaQuan Smith, one of the most dynamic new talents on the fashion scene with a bent toward glamorous eveningwear, will be presenting his newest collection. The Glow Up will be there with the blow-by-blow of his fabulous show (12 p.m.).