By Lil Nickelson and Photos by Rudy Collins
New York Fashion Week 2024 rolls around in September and fashion takes center stage in New York City.
Thanks to the efforts of Harlem Fashion Week (“HFW”) mother and daughter team cofounders Tandra Birkett and her designer daughter Yvonne Jewnell fashion comes into the village of Harlem too. With a three-day program for this year’s fall show.
On Friday, September 6th HFW held a mixer 2024 at the Aloft Harlem Hotel located at 2296 Frederick Douglass Blvd starting at 7pm for models and designers that brought together the brightest talents in the industry. Attendees were able to connect with top models, visionary designers, and influential fashion insiders for an evening of networking, creativity, and collaboration.
On Saturday, September 7th HFW hosted NYFW Business of Fashion Symposium Fashion Disruptors, an annual summit sponsored by J.P. Morgan Chase Bank at Chase Manhattan Bank Harlem located at 55 West 125th Street and began at 11am. A continental breakfast and a late lunch were served. This event brought together industry leaders, innovators, and financial experts to explore the intersection of fashion and business. Attendees engaged in insightful discussions, attend expert panels, and gain valuable knowledge on emerging trends, market strategies, and the economic forces shaping the industry.
HFW’s 13th season runway show took place on Sunday, September 8th, 2024, at the Museum of the City of New York located at 1220 Fifth Avenue at 103rd Street in East Harlem. My VIP invitation to the 2024 experience came for the 8pm showing. Through HFW Tandra and Yvonne aim to elevate emerging designers, provide essential business education, and drive economic growth within the Harlem community. HFW’s goal is to leave a lasting impact on the fashion world and beyond about the issues that shape our global community. HFW is committed to championing “Fashion with a Message.” By giving a platform to rising stars in the fashion industry HFW continues to advocate for social justice, creativity, and cultural awareness.
On Sunday, September 8th it was showtime for this year’s theme, “Fashion Disruptors: How Fashion Can Ignite Freedom.” Designers displayed concept pieces that spoke to the current issues of our time. Sixteen designers were displayed in total. The eight at the 6:30 pm show were Sofia Davis Couture, Geeda J Fashion, Lips Couture, cookie Dough Clothes, Design Imaginations Fashion, Monday Blues Studio, Emisha Designs, and MXNY. The eight at the 8:30 pm show were Harlem Caribbean Co., MS Foolishness Clothing, Beyond Beauty Beautique, Le Money, Royal Melanin Clothing, Roots of Fatima, Current Movement and Yenim Technique.
HFW founders Tandra Birkett and her designer daughter Yvonne Jewnell assembled a list of honorees that was like a “Who’s Who” of people who have raised awareness of justice, and the richness of Black culture. Just check the roster of honorees: Honorees presented at the 6:30 pm show were Texas Congresswoman Jasmine Crockett, MSNBC host Joy Ann Reid, Rachel Noerdlinger, Flo Ngala, and Tamika Mallory. Honorees presented at the 8:30 pm show were Musa Jackson, Nicole King, Maurice Russell Grey, Adeola Adejobi, and NYS Senator Cordell Cleare.
With so many critical issues on the ballot this election year, HFW thought it was essential that fashion be part of the conversation that a voter registration table was available if needed.
Lil Nickelson
Lil Nickelson is a Senior Consultant with an MBA degree focused on Finance and Financial Management Services from New York University, Leonard N. Stern School of Business. Skilled in sales, management, business development, marketing strategy, and social media, with a history of working in the food and beverages industry. Her column “Dining with Miss Lil” has been featured in Harlem newspapers and with Harlem World Magazine for numerous years.
Photo credit: 1) Yvonne Jewnell, MSNBC host Joy Ann Reid, and Tandra Birkett. 2) Behind the scenes models getting ready. 3) R & B Singer Al B. Sure admiring the fashion show.
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