Faces of Color Hit the Runway at Fashion Week

Ladies, as I waltz through my apartment, I am singing ‘It’s the most wonderful time of the year!’ I hope you know what I’m talking about. Fashion Week! Designers, models, & make-up! It’s just absolutely beautiful. What I’m even happier to see is the plethora of African American designers and models that are being showcased this year. I want you guys to get a feel of the growing number of African Americans in the fashion industry. There used to be a time (and sometime’s still is) when magazines would go front to back without having one single African American model in the issue. Now, there are far more models and designers that have broken barriers, and continue to do so. Many of us only know Alek Wek, Chanel Iman, Tyra Banks, and Naomi Campbell as the faces of black models. Now the industry has far more models, and this year is showing so many more models of color (I’m so excited!). The fashion/modeling industry is very hard to break into, but if you want it, go for it!

Along with models there are designers, such as Rachel Roy, Tracy Reese, & Maya Lake of Boxing Kitten. These ladies have really set the bar for creativity within the African American fashion community. Below you’ll see a bit of the beautiful fashion these ladies have delivered for us to really take inspiration from.

Rachel Roy: A California native, Rachel Roy was once an intern for Rocawear working her way from the mailroom all the way up to becoming Creative Director. In Fall 2004, she established her own line, Rachel Roy, which has flourished and has been worn by Keke Palmer and even Michelle Obama.

Maya Lake: A self-taught designer, Maya Lake has made her mark in the fashion world with vibrant African prints. Seen especially on Solange Knowles, Maya’s work has displayed traditional prints with modern cuts. She has been the most enjoyable designer I’ve seen in a long time!

Tracy Reese: A graduate from Parsons School of Design, Tracy Reese is a fan of intricate prints and impeccable detail. This woman shows the world eclectic pieces and features several African American Models to showcase her work.

Sadly, Fashion Week is ending soon, but African American designers and models are here to stay and some of you young women will also make an impact on the fashion world. Style.com is a great place to check out what tons of designers doing. Like our junior correspondent, Jamiah said, we don’t need magazines or designers dictating what we should wear, and these ladies have definitely set themselves apart from the rest of the pack. Trends still exist, so why not be ahead of the fall trends and forecast what’s to come in the spring? Fashion is a wonderful expression of self, and you guys should all venture out in expressing who you are, not through labels, but through your presentation of prints, colors, and textures. In the end, do it for you, not to impress anyone.

-- Rebecca Matey
Brownstone Intern