Photos, courtesy of Travis Heights Photo : Essence Magazine hosted a Fashion House for New York Fashion Week 2021. This invitation-only occasion was an afternoon popping with positive programming & positive people! (Pictured above) Chanel Breanna, Odile, Lihem Russom. Here are the takeaways:
1. Become involved with brands you love, no matter where you start.
Designer Dani O., founder of Eclecticist walked as a model just 2 years ago for this very same event; this time she showed a full collection of bold, beautiful garments for a venue full of tastemakers & industry notables.
2. Worried about missing out on the latest trends? Don’t be.
Your teenage nostalgia isn’t “over.” Speaker & Grammy award winner, Sevyn shouted back to music videos informing her of the kind of trend setter she wanted to be while finding her own artistry. It can be stressful to keep up with what’s “new/hot/trending” in the world of style so her tip was that you can always find reliability by “looking back” to the throw backs, nostalgia or icons you loved growing up. Restyling decades is always IN and you can take out the anxiety of constantly looking forward to figure out what’s “cool.” Her favorite fashion influences? Rihanna, Janet Jackson and Prince.
3. You don’t have to be snooty for people to want to learn more.
Attendees ranging from influencers, to Essence execs had real, authentic conversation throughout the day. More than just career chat flooded the runway as guests co-mingled, took photos and talked about real life in between collections. Speaker & founder of beauty brand Chris Collins, headed off stage and into the crowd to truly continue the conversation from the panel. Often, the best connections are made past the elevator pitches and into the hang-worthy, relatable talk of industry, family or even dating. The entire crowd broke into song in Snoopdog fashion during one afternoon presentation -“beautiful, I just want you to know, you’re my favorite girl.” The moral of the story was when the pressure to connect was dropped, true ability to connect surfaces.
CEO of R&D Entertainment Agency: Rocky, “Pamphile Rochele” rocking a head to toe tie dye ensemble, with gold sneakers, a Dior head band & stone blue masked accessory.
Brand & Business owners gathered to chat career paths & carving out their place in an up-hill battle’d industry.
Yours truly: I chose an Anthony Vaccarello (Creative Director at Saint Laurent) original design, paired it with a Eugenia Kim clutch and completed it with a pair of lace up combat boots. (Photo, courtesy of Travis Heights Photo.)
