Essence Magazine Gives Black Designers Recognition
Cultured Curves continues the New York Fashion Week Curvy Edition on-location reporting. More and more lately, Black fashion professionals are finally being given the recognition they’ve deserved for so long. Essence Magazine is blazing the trail with the Essence Fashion House, “an elite experience discovering and recognizing cutting-edge Black creatives in fashion and their contributions.”
Black Designed Runway Collections on Display
Essence Fashion House 2021 took place on September 9th at Iron23 and was a mix of must-see runway collections from brands like Arc of Andre, Grayscale Image Consulting, Eclecticist, and LAVNTG.
Black Designer Handbags and Accessories
Guests shopped until they dropped at unique designer showcases that all supported Black culture, including CISE “Protect Black People” purses, K.Milele, Muehleder NYC, Sammy B Designs, and Sekou Writes accessories, and Cléair Monroe, and To’sha custom handbags.
Essence and Vogue Fashion Professionals Speak
And while all this was happening, guests could also drop in on conversations with the creme de la creme of Black fashion professionals in different panels. Speakers featured top industry personnel like Essence Style and Beauty Editor Blake Newby, Deputy Editor of Essence Magazine Cori Murray, Vogue Online Senior Fashion Writer Marjon Carlos, television anchor and talk show host Tamron Hall, CEO/Founder of Harlem’s Fashion Row Brandice Daniel, and many more. All were willing and eager to spill their behind-the-scenes stories, knowledge, and predictions for the future of fashion.
Embracing Black Plus Size Curves
This year’s event was even more exciting because it shined a bright light on Black plus size women during the “Reclaiming My Curves” panel. Moderated by plus size super blogger Kelly Augustine, panelists included plus model and actress Chasity Saunders, plus blogger Simi Moonlight, and Toccara Jones, plus lingerie designer and the only plus-size finalist of Cycle 3 of America’s Next Top Model. All shared heartfelt, sometimes painful, and ultimately triumphant stories of how they came to accept, embrace, and celebrate their own unique curves.
Toccara shared her tale of not being able to break into modeling until she became plus size. Simi told of her journey in Vogue’s sexual assault campaign. Chasity shared how she finally feels like a leading lady now that she’s at home in her own skin. This panel was moving, eye-opening, and gave everyone great hope that the world has realized that curves, including Black curves, are here to stay!
What Black fashion topics would you like to see covered at next year’s Essence Fashion House? Let us know in the comments!
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Know Your Plus Size Body Shape
Don’t forget to determine your plus-size body shape to best rock Essence House of Fashion featured designers’ clothing or any curvy outfits. Visit the post, How to Determine Your Plus Size Body Shape to Find the Most Flattering Clothes.
Until Later…
