On the "A" w/Souleo: Black Designers Absent from NYFW but Present in Other Ways

As diversity becomes the buzzword across all industries, New York Fashion Week (NYFW) is no exception. This year the annual extravaganza has made gains in its representation of Asian designers. According to NBC News, Asian or Asian-American designers are presenting nearly a quarter of the official NYFW shows. Yet the numbers shift drastically for black fashion designers. With the exception of Maxwell Osborne, co-designer of Public School, there are virtually no major black designers showcasing at NYFW.


Fe Noel Spring 2016 Collection/Credit: Johnny Nunez

But that doesn't mean that there are no black designers cutting and stitching their way to sartorial glory. This past Thursday, Harlem's Fashion Row (HFR), a company that gives a platform to budding designers of color, hosted its annual style awards and spring 2016 runway show at Pier 59. Designers included The Fashion Deli, M-Sew and Fe Noel. For designer and media veteran Harriette Cole, the expensive cost of showing at NYFW (starting around $200,000) means that many black designers are forced to find alternatives that better serve their business models and creative interests.


M-Sew Spring 2016 Collection/Credit: Johnny Nunez

"It's great that there are so many Asians showing at NYFW. It should be celebrated as a minority group having a surge," she said. "But I don't think they are taking the place of African-Americans. It is far more affordable to choose venues not part of the official environment because you can be broken before getting started just paying for a fashion show. So I am less worried black designers are going away. I think they have to be sought out more."


The Fashion Deli Spring 2016 Collection/Credit: Johnny Nunez

The night's attendees demonstrated that there is a lot of support for black designers wherever they choose to showcase. Guests included Mary J. Blige, and honorees such as actress Tracee Ellis Ross, designer Azede Jean-Pierre, stylists Rachel Johnson, Misa Hylton and Groovey Lew, on-air personality Bevy Smith, InStyle editor Kahlana Barfield and Macy's.

For HFR founder, Brandice Henderson the past few years has seen black designers reach increased visibility and success whether they show at NYFW or not. "Since I started HFR eight years ago designers are more focused on the business side. Sometimes they don't show to focus on sales. I can see growth and acceptance and change happening. I feel like we are in a better place than we've been in a very long time."

Essence Street Style Block Party showcases rising black designers


Designers Ashley Ryles, Ron Bass and Charlene Dunbar/Credit Raymond Hagans Picture Group

If the lesson to be learned from this year's NYFW is to seek out black designers, then Essence magazine made it pretty easy to do so at t