Back Together Again: Black Supermodels from the 90's Reunite for ESSENCE Photoshoot Tomiko Fraser Hines

Tomiko Fraser Hines


When I began my career as a model back in the early 1990's, one of my dream jobs was to appear in ESSENCE magazine. So imagine my utter joy when I had the opportunity, more than once, to model for this iconic publication. You couldn't tell me anything!

I've been modeling more than 20 years now and working with ESSENCE remains one of the highlights of my career. I was reminiscing about those times when I wondered what some of the other models from my heyday were up to...

Source: http://www.essence.com/2015/10/05/back-tog...

Pyer Moss designer steps outside fashion and into the conversation about race

By Robin Givhan August 21

Kerby Jean-Raymond, photo source: Forbes

Kerby Jean-Raymond, photo source: Forbes

Like a lot of designers, Kerby Jean-Raymond, the 28-year-old founder of the menswear label Pyer Moss (pronounced Pierre Moss), has spent the last months considering his spring 2016 collection and how he will present it when New York’s fashion week begins in September. This is will be a particularly big season for the young designer. He will debut his womenswear.

But unlike most designers, Jean-Raymond has also decided to step squarely into the middle of a contentious political and social debate. Read more.

This Designer Stopped Everyone In Their Tracks With a Fashion Show About Police Brutality

By Rikki Byrd September 11, 2015

Source: Bryan R. Smith/AP 

Source: Bryan R. Smith/AP

 

Fashion designer Kerby Jean-Raymond, founder of Pyer Moss, considered not presenting clothing at his runway show during New York Fashion Week.

But when he did, his show became much more than a display of fashion. On Thursday, when he showcased his Spring 2016 collection, he confronted the issue of police brutality with a powerful mix of video, clothing and live graffiti art.  Read more

Source: http://mic.com/articles/125193/this-design...

Black Dress Co-sponsors event at the Museum of the City of New York

Black Dress had the honor and pleasure of co-sponsoring the Conversation with Andre Leon Tally and Beverly Johnson event at the Museum of the City of New York.  Both Andre and Beverly engaged in conversation about their experience in the fashion industry past and present.   They reflected on their careers; the good, bad and fabulous.  At the end of the event, they took questions from the crowd.  The audience consisted of fashion novices, industry leaders, writers, students, and the mature adult.  Both Beverly and Andre were promoting their individual books and took time to take pictures as well as signed copies of their books.  Great event, great crowd a successful night.


African American Women in Cinema Honors Fashion Professor Adrienne Jones with Icon Award

Pratt Networks

Posted 8/11/15

INSIDE PRATT/ 

Pratt Institute Fashion Professor Adrienne Jones was honored with the Innovative Visionary Icon of the Decade Award by African American Women in Cinema (AAWIC) for the groundbreaking exhibition Black Dress: Ten Contemporary Fashion Designers, which opened on February 6, 2014 at Pratt Manhattan Gallery and was on view through April 26, 2014. Jones received her award at the AAWIC Florida Launch Event that was held on July 30 in Miami, Florida.

Co-curated by Jones and pioneering art dealer and exhibition developer Paula Coleman, Black Dress is an unprecedented exhibition that showcases the work of 10 contemporary New York-based black fashion designers, both established and up-and-coming. The designers featured in the show draw on a long history of black fashion design in America, which dates back at least as far as the 1860s.

In addition to being honored, Jones participated in AAWIC’s fashion film panel titled “Design of the Times,” which explored the contributions of black people to fashion in both film and TV.

AAWIC, which is in its 18th year, celebrates the works of African Americans and women of color in front of and behind the camera.

AAWC logo


How One of Nykhor Paul’s Instagrams Sparked a Debate on Diversity In Modeling

 Janelle Okwodu

August 3, 2015 — 08:54PM

Nykhor PaulPhoto: Courtesy Red Models

Nykhor Paul

Photo: Courtesy Red Models

 

Diversity remains a key issue within the world of modeling, and though many models have spoken out on the subject, few have incited as much debate as Nykhor Paul. After an incident at a show, Paul took to Instagram to express her frustration with makeup artists who did not understand how to do makeup for women of color. Her sincere post touched a nerve with her online audience and sparked a renewed conversation about race in fashion. Style.com caught up with the Sudanese beauty to talk social media, self-love, and how the industry can truly represent women of all cultures. 

What prompted you to write that Instagram post about discrimination in fashion? 

I’ve been in this industry for a long time, so it wasn’t one thing that set it off. It’s been a constant battle. It’s not just the makeup; it’s not just black models not getting booked. Dealing with all the makeup issues, skin issues, hair issues, it makes you feel inadequate, especially when you’ve come to work geared up and ready to do your job as a mannequin. This is not just something I’m going through—a lot of girls are going through this. 

Did you anticipate that it would become such a hotly debated post? 

I certainly didn’t think it would get so much attention. [After posting the Instagram], I woke up the next day and saw the comments—some of them made me so sad. I just started crying, because that people reacted this way speaks to the fact that there is something larger going on. People have been afraid to speak up.

How have the reactions been from the fashion industry? 

Everything has been positive except for a few people online. The complaints I have gotten have been from people who feel I was attacking their race, but anyone who reads my comments carefully knows that wasn’t my intention. I have talked to models who are in their 60s and I’ve talked to models who are 15, and they’ve all experienced the same thing. This has been a roller coaster—one minute we’re talking about the lack of diversity in this industry, and then they book a few girls and the conversation goes away until the next time. 

Do you feel social media provides models with more advantages for political expression? 

I love social media. I always say people don’t have room to be racist anymore; it will be picked up by some social media, someone will tape it and expose them. For models, social media is a platform where you can be an activist. It is a powerful tool to get your message across. If you use it the right way and have a passion or a cause that you’re connected to, that’s a great start. 

Do you feel there is a solution to modeling’s issues with race? 

I don’t know what the solution is, but I do feel people need to expand their idea of what black models can do. Black beauty can be Chanel, black beauty can be Dior, it can be Lancôme and all those things. Clients can have a narrow definition of beauty, but so can agencies. I was turned down like crazy by London agencies because they’re like, “Oh, we already have a dark girl like you.” Then I’d look it up and see that she was nothing like me at all. There is still the idea that if you have two dark girls, they are interchangeable. When you have a board of a hundred girls and only a handful are minorities, there is something wrong. 

Are there clients who you feel are leading the way toward inclusive runways?

Vivienne Westwood is one designer who always books black models; I love Vivienne. But normally if I’m doing a show and the collection is 35 girls, there will be me, one Asian girl, and one girl who is Brazilian or mixed. Most of the shows that I do, I’m the only black person. Balenciaga had a very diverse cast this season, and it was great to be a part of that, but it isn’t about one runway or season, it’s really about consistently having a diverse group of models. 

What do you feel has been the best thing to come out of your Instagram post?

I think the best thing that has happened is that it creates a healthy dialogue. That is the only thing that I want, a conversation, and not a racist one or an antagonistic one. People are talking about it in Kenya, in Brazil, in South Africa and Spain. There are girls who have written me, telling me that this is an issue they face daily, and if I can provide a voice for those dark-skinned girls and this issue, I’m happy to. Part of the reason I think people were so reluctant to speak up is because you risk being labeled the angry black girl. This has been going on since the days of Bethann Hardison, Iman, Alek Wek, Naomi [Campbell]: The issue isn’t new, but I’m hoping to see more change now. We’re in a time when people are more conscious and more aware of the realities. 

Source: http://www.style.com/trends/industry/2015/...

This "W" Magazine Spread has All Black Models and We're Here for It

This "W" Magazine Spread has All Black Models and We're Here for It

 

 By: Ashley Monaé / July 15, 2015

@chicmonae

Continuing the controversial conversation of the lack of diversity in the fashionworld, W Magazine has released a dope spread in their current August issue featuring all black models.

Styled by renowned fashion stylist Edward Enninful and W’s current fashion and style director, the feature includes a plethora of savory shades of brown from caramel to dark chocolate. Ajak Deng, Amilna Estevao, Anais Mali, Aya Jones, Binx Walton and Tami Williams slay the spread titled “Natural Selection,” proving that black girls certainly do rock.

READ: The Week Designers Showed Black Girls Love Feat. Tinashe, Ciara And Joan Smalls

Shot in upstate New York by Emma Summerton, the ladies flaunt the best of fall 2015 gear.

 

Read More

Fresh Dressed Documentary

Fresh Dressed is a fascinating chronicle of hip-hop, urban fashion, and the hustle that brought oversized pants and graffiti-drenched jackets from Orchard Street to high fashion's catwalks and Middle America shopping malls. Director Sacha Jenkins' music-drenched history draws from a rich mix of archival materials and in-depth interviews with rappers, designers, and other industry insiders. 

Featuring Kanye West, Pharrell Williams, Sean “Puffy” Combs, Nas, Pusha T, Swizz Beatz, Damon Dash, André Leon Talley, A$AP Rocky, Marc Ecko, Big Daddy Kane, Kid ‘N Play & many others.

Dapper Dan (R) and filmmaker Sacha Jenkins from 'Fresh Dressed'.

Dapper Dan (R) and filmmaker Sacha Jenkins from 'Fresh Dressed'.

Source: https://vimeo.com/ondemand/freshdressed