Black Style Now Continues
The Future of Black Fashion
Sunday, January 28th 2pm
What is the future of black fashion? Who are the designers setting the trends for the black style of tomorrow? How do changing technologies relate to fabric, design, and style? Audrey Smaltz, Founder and CEO of the Ground Crew, will moderate a discussion with noted fashion designers Cassandra Bromfield, Jeffrey Banks, and Monif C., and fashion guru Harriette Cole. Presented in conjunction with Black Style Now and co-sponsored by ESSENCE magazine.
Learn more at http://www.mcny.org/public_programs/all/524.html
Contemporary Icons of Black Fashion
Sunday, February 4th 3pm
What defines black style today? Join Black Style Now curator Michael Henry Adams as he explores the complex roots and multiple versions of black style and elan with Lana Turner, the legendary Harlem real estate agent, preservationist, and historian, Quinntin Phelps, Global Beauty Expert at Bergdorf Goodman, Carmen de Lavallade, the renowned dancer and choreographer, Geoffrey Holder, the celebrated actor, dancer, and choreographer, and Mercedes Ellington, choreographer, and recipient of the 2006 Barrymore Award for Outstanding Choreography-Movement as well as other leaders in the black style world today. Presented in conjunction with Black Style Now.
Learn more at http://www.mcny.org/public_programs/all/524.html
**Both programs are free with admission to the Museum of the City of New York**
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Bergdoff Goodman’s Global Beauty Expert certainly gets points deducted for not being able to name not ONE influential Black fashion designer. Well, at least he mentioned Sammy Davis, Jr. earlier, who I’m sure provided at the very least a partial inspiration for the outfit he wore. Perhaps he would have been well served by a copy of Lloyd Boston‘s great book, Men of Color: Fashion, History and Fundamentals. For posterity, I’d like to name some men that I personally see as vanguards of Black style: Ozwald Boateng, esteemed panelist Geoffrey Holder (whom I adore), Andre Leon Talley, Quincy Jones, Renauld White, Moshood, Nat King Cole, the aforementioned Willi Smith, Patrick Kelly, Jason Olive, Billy Eckstine, Dennis Rodman, Lenny Kravitz and last but certainly not least Prince.
Unlike last Sundays’ lively and informative presentation, this weeks was lackluster at best. Saved only by Mr. Holders’ charm and style. It was truly embarassing that the panelists were at a lost when asked “Which Black Designers they felt influenced fashion” the same few names were repeated Bernard Johnson and Jeffery Banks. In my opinion the most influential Black Designer to the Hip Hop movement can be traced back to Willie Smith. Willies’ unconstructed “baggy look” “Paperbag” Pants and “Tee Shirt” dressing was the forerunner to the look that exists today. I also was disappointed that no one has mentioned Stephen Burrows who changed the look of knitted fashion into a more elegant design. I also think it is the responsibility of Blacks in “Fashion and Art” to know the names of the new young designers who are trying to make it in the fashion world. For example DEBO, MICHI and so many others to add their names to the “BUZZ” not just scout their looks and give the ideas to the “other” designers out there.
Michael by the way starting an hour and a half late was unacceptable.