SHARRA'S NEW YORK FASHION WEEK SEPTEMBER 2021 RECAP: WITNESSING THE INNOVATIVE SHOWCASING OF MINORITY VOICES WITHIN FASHION

WRITTEN BY SHARRA GREENE

September is the January in fashion. It brings new trends, new concepts, and most importantly, change on every level.

Whenever I attend New York Fashion week, particularly in September, I’m always looking to see what new change is being represented on the runway, cutting through the noise and helping to transform what we wear and how we live. With Fashion Bomb Daily’s first official runway show on the September Fashion Week calendar, this change was not hard to find.

Fashion Bomb Daily has been my favorite fashion site since I was 12 years old. I remember abandoning my homework to scroll through endless content on my laptop, and always being inspired by how trailblazer and FBD founder & CEO Claire Sulmers created a hub specifically for the minority voices in fashion. When they announced their first annual #NYFW show, I had to be there because I knew I’d be witnessing a new platform being born that would catapult the black and minority voices to the forefront of the conversation, right where we belong. I was not at all disappointed.

WHAT I WORE

The show’s dress code was “Bet on Black”, so naturally I wanted my outfit to focus on black brands. My top is from House of Chic LA, my skirt is by Broken Land, and my bag is a Brandon Blackwood. (My shoes are from Public Desire). My soft glam makeup look is by @carmensartistry. Hit her up if you’re in the Manhattan area!

After getting some shots of my look with my photographer Monica Krystel Rose, I headed down the block to the The Sixth Floor Loft on Broadway in NYC for the show.

THE SHOW

The event brought out countless fashion figures & celebs from Rome Flynn to Sevyn Streeter, Jayda Cheaves, Dreamdoll, Ty Hunter, and so many more to witness a runway show that primarily highlighted the work of Black and Asian designer brands, an underrepresented group that often starts the trends that trickle up into the world of high fashion, and then gets excluded from the topic as if their influence never existed.

This is why I had to be apart of this. I always say, the more adversity, the more hungry and creative you tend to be. Just as I thought, I witnessed unique looks that explored innovative design techniques from 3D printing, to genius draping and mixing of textures, high level couture work, and so much more.

Image source: @taylar.chanell

After an amazing introduction by the lovely Bevy Smith, the show opened with Oyemwen giving us structured, tulle adorned pieces that were juxtaposed with blazer dresses and sharp cutouts, in their “back to business” collection that celebrated the return to getting dressed after a long pandemic of sweats.

Designer London Couture followed up with showstopping luxury gowns, adorned in feathers and luxurious fabrics, and designer Bree Billiter gave us an oceanic, ethereal showcase. (Check out my recap reel here for videos of my fave looks)

Image Source: Fashion Bomb Daily

Following the first show, Claire gave us a #convoswithclaire moment, featuring mini interviews with model & RHWOA star Cynthia Bailey, designer Shane Justin, & more.

I passed time in between shows by talking and taking selfies with the queen herself, Claire Sulmers, chopping it up with new friends, (I met a bomb style posse from ATL that I hung out with for the majority of the show, and making connections with showroom owners and other professionals.

My new boo, brand owner and Sheen Magazine contributor Taylar Chanell. Follow her @taylar.chanell!

Image source: Fashion Bomb Daily

The shows picked back up with designer Khang Le serving us the most eye catching 3D printed patterns and rich textures on luxe gowns and suit sets. I was OBSESSED. He was probably my fave show of the day.

Image source: Fashion Bomb Daily

Shane Justin gave us a true couture moment with his new line of sultry, sheer and embellished handcrafted gowns that he completed in 3 days! I was definitely impressed.

Image source: Fashion Bomb Daily

Mah Jing Wong, one of my fave Project Runway veterans, closed the show with an epic 80’s inspired moment. Co designer & influencer Stacie Wo gave us a commanding runway moment in a matching MJW set & bomber jacket, that garnered praise from the entire audience!

The show ended with a performance from music group JNA. I left the show feeling inspired, and most importantly, seen and acknowledged as a fellow black creative in fashion. Claire and her Fashion Bomb Daily team are curating a movement that is so necessary and needed in order to cement our legacy as black professionals in fashion.

If you know me, you know how much I love Eunice Walker Johnson, the founder and curator of Ebony Fashion Fair, a trailblazing annual exhibition that took place for decades, highlighting black designers, models, and behind the scenes pros alike. While I wasn’t born when Ebony Fashion Fair was around, watching Claire navigate her first fashion week event, reminded me of that very same legacy and mission that Eunice Walker Johnson carried out, one of unapologetic repping for the creative genius that she saw in her people, and that she was determined to bring to the forefront.

I can’t wait for the next NYFW. While this particular time was a quick stop by, I plan on staying multiple days next time! Which looks are your fave? Let me know in the comments!

Sharra,

“Empowering her evolution through style.”

STOP HATING ON "THE OVERDRESSED FRIEND": WAYS TO NAVIGATE THE COMMON DRESS CODE ISSUE

WRITTEN BY SHARRA GREENE

“Overdressed is a social construct created by your haters” - some well dressed clever person on Twitter

I’ve been on both sides; the girl showing up to the function in a dress and heels and getting mean mugged and snarky comments, with people asking “Where you going??”, and the girl who showed up in sweats but is hyping my homegirl up telling her how she looks tf good tonight! Regardless of what I’m giving with my personal style, I’m always happy to see my peers show up in what makes them feel their best. So the whole "she doing too much” thing rarely ever comes from me. More times than not, that comment gives off insecure vibes.

Though I believe a part of having great style comes from knowing how to adapt your style to different settings, I definitely think it’s important to show respect for your differences with the people you care about, and personal style is no exception… especially as women. We receive so much hate and negativity coming our way, the least we can do is give each other our props when we step out looking right. Here are a few ways I navigate this common issue among my friends…

SEND A QUICK GROUP TEXT TO DETERMINE THE VIBE FOR THE OUTING

This is an actual screenshot from my group message with my girls. We all love to get cute, but we also each have different styles and may not all be in the same mood that day so it’s always a good idea to confirm the dress code so no one feels like they didn’t get the memo.

RESPECT EACH OTHER’S AESTHETIC

Understand that what’s super formal to you may just be dressy casual to your friend, and vice versa. We each have different ways that we like to express our selves with our personal style and that’s more than okay… Just because someone may like to pair some heels with their jeans while you may go with your fave sneakers because you value comfort, that doesn’t necessarily mean that person is trying to “one up” you. We all have a right to step out in whatever makes us feel like our best selves.

EMBRACE BEING “THE OVERDRESSED FRIEND”

Don’t be peer pressured into turning down ya steez just because some haters wanna police your fashion choices. Embrace the stigma because getting dressed up for life is something to be proud of! One of my fav brands, House of Rehab, has some super cute tees & accessories, specifically designed with “the overdressed friend” in mind. Check em out below.

The "OVERDRESSED FRIEND" Unisex Tee

by House of Rehab - $25

OVERDRESSED Pin

by House of Rehab - $15

Stay tuned for more fashion & lifestyle tips making their way to the blog very soon!

Sharra,

“The definition of walking art.”