8 Dope New York Fashion Week Moments from the African Diaspora
As New York Fashion Week 2016 gets underway, we look back at some of our favorite NYFW moments from the African diaspora.
Last week at New York Fashion Week, menswear designer David Hart made a bold statement when he decided to cast only black men in his show. And with NYFW Women’s getting underway tomorrow, there’s plenty more to look forward to.
<p>Erykah Badu will be bringing “the black experience” to NYFW as the stylist for Haitian-American designer Kerby Jean-Raymond’s Pyer Moss show. Liberian <em>Project Runway All Star</em> Korto Momolu, South African designer David Tlale, BCBG’s Max Azria from Tunisia, and the Malian-born Lamine Kouyate are all returning to NYFW.</p><p>Below, we look back at eight of the dopest New York Fashion Week moments from the diaspora.</p><p><div class="preroll-video"></div><ora-player></ora-player></p><p></p><h2><strong>Alek Wek = Boss</strong></h2><p>South Sudanese British model supermodel Alek Wek snatching off her blonde wig at Betsey Johnson’s 1998 show was easily one of the fiercest moments in NYFW history.</p><p><span style="display:block;position:relative;padding-top:56.25%;" class="rm-shortcode" data-rm-shortcode-id="ced71bc0d9ba9f91e1a17c98b02fb376"><iframe type="lazy-iframe" data-runner-src="https://www.youtube.com/embed/uKUxZelc9MM?rel=0" width="100%" height="auto" frameborder="0" scrolling="no" style="position:absolute;top:0;left:0;width:100%;height:100%;"></iframe></span></p><p></p><h2><strong>David Tlale Reps South Africa with Almost Entirely Black Supermodel Entourage</strong></h2><p>David Tlale’s <a href="http://www.okayafrica.com/news/david-tlale-new-york-fashion-week-spring-summer-2015/" target="_blank">almost entirely black model entourage</a> was nothing short of brilliant during NYFW Spring/Summer 2015. The South African designer set a new standard for runway diversity with his show, led by none other than the first black male supermodel, Tyson Beckford.</p><p><span style="display:block;position:relative;padding-top:56.25%;" class="rm-shortcode" data-rm-shortcode-id="178dfc1af23db87d2ef5528110ba83a4"><iframe type="lazy-iframe" data-runner-src="https://www.youtube.com/embed/kl0UkFQnf5w?rel=0" width="100%" height="auto" frameborder="0" scrolling="no" style="position:absolute;top:0;left:0;width:100%;height:100%;"></iframe></span></p><p></p><h2><strong>The Birth of Africa Fashion Week</strong></h2><p><a href="http://www.okayafrica.com/news/africa-fashion-week-new-york-2014-nyfw-spring-summer-2015/#slide1" target="_blank">Africa Fashion Week</a> began in 2009 as a way of showcasing the top African designers during NYFW, and has since expanded to fashion capitals around the globe like Milan, London, Paris and Tokyo. Past AFWNY presenter Senegalese designer Adama Paris is now on the official Mercedes-Benz Global Fashion Week roster as well.</p><p></p><p class="image-media media-photo-credit"><img type="lazy-image" data-runner-src="https://assets.rebelmouse.io/eyJhbGciOiJIUzI1NiIsInR5cCI6IkpXVCJ9.eyJpbWFnZSI6Imh0dHBzOi8vYXNzZXRzLnJibC5tcy8xMDM5NzA4MC9vcmlnaW4uanBnIiwiZXhwaXJlc19hdCI6MTY2MTMwNTEyM30.OydgMrYJpijGqK9tVcK1ShQpQWhzkWtI2CL6hT3o3Hc/img.jpg?width=980" id="f4776" class="rm-shortcode" data-rm-shortcode-id="a8f88966554c151a6b37700640a00fed" data-rm-shortcode-name="rebelmouse-image"> AFWNY 2014 showroom presentation from Tiagbe of Kososhi; Photo by Robert Cooper provided by Adirée.</p><p></p><h2><strong>Everything Lupita</strong></h2><p>Ever since she hit the scene in 2014, nearly every outfit Lupita Nyong’o has graced has been editorial-worthy. Her NYFW looks are no exception. Watch her slay in the front row at the February 2014 Calvin Klein show and in a headband at the September 2015 Hugo Boss show.</p><p><div class="dfp_atf-slot" data-not-loaded="true"></div><script type="text/javascript">
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</script></p><p></p><blockquote class="instagram-media" data-instgrm-captioned="" data-instgrm-version="6" style="background: #FFF; border: 0; border-radius: 3px; box-shadow: 0 0 1px 0 rgba(0,0,0,0.5),0 1px 10px 0 rgba(0,0,0,0.15); margin: 1px; max-width: 658px; padding: 0; width: calc(100% - 2px);"><p></p><div style="padding: 8px;"><p></p><div style="background: #F8F8F8; line-height: 0; margin-top: 40px; padding: 50% 0; text-align: center; width: 100%;"></div><p></p><p style="margin: 8px 0 0 0; padding: 0 4px;"><a href="https://www.instagram.com/p/kXpIacHuUC/" style="color: #000; font-family: Arial,sans-serif; font-size: 14px; font-style: normal; font-weight: normal; line-height: 17px; text-decoration: none; word-wrap: break-word;" target="_blank">Front row at the @CalvinKlein #nyfw show with #AnnaWintour and #NaomiWatts.</a></p><p></p><p style="color: #c9c8cd; font-family: Arial,sans-serif; font-size: 14px; line-height: 17px; margin-bottom: 0; margin-top: 8px; overflow: hidden; padding: 8px 0 7px; text-align: center; text-overflow: ellipsis; white-space: nowrap;">A photo posted by Lupita Nyong'o (@lupitanyongo) on <time datetime="2014-02-13T20:19:09+00:00" style="font-family: Arial,sans-serif; font-size: 14px; line-height: 17px;">Feb 13, 2014 at 12:19pm PST</time></p><p></p></div></blockquote><p><script async="" defer src="//platform.instagram.com/en_US/embeds.js"></script></p><p></p><blockquote class="instagram-media" data-instgrm-captioned="" data-instgrm-version="6" style="background: #FFF; border: 0; border-radius: 3px; box-shadow: 0 0 1px 0 rgba(0,0,0,0.5),0 1px 10px 0 rgba(0,0,0,0.15); margin: 1px; max-width: 658px; padding: 0; width: calc(100% - 2px);"><p></p><div style="padding: 8px;"><p></p><div style="background: #F8F8F8; line-height: 0; margin-top: 40px; padding: 50.0% 0; text-align: center; width: 100%;"></div><p> <a href="https://www.instagram.com/p/7taE4iHuTC/" style="color: #000; font-family: Arial,sans-serif; font-size: 14px; font-style: normal; font-weight: normal; line-height: 17px; text-decoration: none; word-wrap: break-word;" target="_blank">#Repost @vernonfrancois with @repostapp ・・・ Miss @lupitanyongo @ #thisisboss #NYFW #nyc #goodtimes @hugoboss #afrohair #texturedhair #texture #teamwork #curlyhair #updoonafrohair #fun with @bkkahn makeup by @kimbower hair by #vernonfrancois @rndcreatives ??????</a> A photo posted by Lupita Nyong'o (@lupitanyongo) on <time datetime="2015-09-16T23:12:57+00:00" style="font-family: Arial,sans-serif; font-size: 14px; line-height: 17px;">Sep 16, 2015 at 4:12pm PDT</time></p><p></p></div></blockquote><p></p><h2><strong>William Okpo Present Okpo Academy Picture Day</strong></h2><p>Dynamic Nigerian sister duo Lizzy and Darlene Okpo debuted their William Okpo line at NYFW in 2012. Their shows have drawn in the likes of Solange and Kanye, and for good reason. For their Spring/Summer 2015 collection, the Okpo sisters <a href="http://www.okayafrica.com/news/william-okpo-new-york-fashion-week-spring-summer-2015/#slide1" target="_blank">took us back to our school days</a> with their Okpo Academy Picture Day.</p><p></p><p class="image-media media-photo-credit"><img type="lazy-image" data-runner-src="https://assets.rebelmouse.io/eyJhbGciOiJIUzI1NiIsInR5cCI6IkpXVCJ9.eyJpbWFnZSI6Imh0dHBzOi8vYXNzZXRzLnJibC5tcy8xMDM5NzA4Mi9vcmlnaW4uanBnIiwiZXhwaXJlc19hdCI6MTY0NDgwMjQ5Mn0.f5sbtiBMDCiUALCI4wvJ6Ap6SOIOwq1cToYQWGwGRN0/img.jpg?width=980" id="4957f" class="rm-shortcode" data-rm-shortcode-id="b8ffca622ab6e601b2c69227ce1aaa41" data-rm-shortcode-name="rebelmouse-image"> William Okpo Presents Okpo Academy Picture Day Class of SS15 at NYFW. Photo: Rashaad Denzel</p><p></p><h2><strong>The Rise of Azede Jean-Pierre</strong></h2><p>Since debuting at NYFW in 2013, Azede Jean-Pierre is still the fashion girl about town with her sophisticated and sleek designs. The Haitian-born, Atlanta-raised designer has fans in FLOTUS and Solange.</p><p></p><p class="image-media media-photo-credit"><img type="lazy-image" data-runner-src="https://assets.rebelmouse.io/eyJhbGciOiJIUzI1NiIsInR5cCI6IkpXVCJ9.eyJpbWFnZSI6Imh0dHBzOi8vYXNzZXRzLnJibC5tcy8xMDM5NzA4OC9vcmlnaW4uanBnIiwiZXhwaXJlc19hdCI6MTYzNjExNTY3N30.gND7hM2vBf5eCqrEquSkmnFNmWFaGoT6isULEoHztjo/img.jpg?width=980" id="7c6e8" class="rm-shortcode" data-rm-shortcode-id="d6e40164fdf4ca034fee7bef4fd21110" data-rm-shortcode-name="rebelmouse-image"> Source: Azede Jean-Pierre's <a href="https://www.facebook.com/azedejeanpierre1/photos/pb.128458764008256.-2207520000.1455069280./174194989434633/" target="_blank">Facebook</a></p><p></p><h2><strong>All Black Everything at David Hart’s Jazz-Inspired Show</strong></h2><p>In using only Black men, from Senegal to Haiti to New Jersey, in his jazz-themed runway show this year, David Hart showed that the whole ensemble can be all black everything and lit. More where that came from, please!</p><p></p><p class="image-media media-photo-credit"><img type="lazy-image" data-runner-src="https://assets.rebelmouse.io/eyJhbGciOiJIUzI1NiIsInR5cCI6IkpXVCJ9.eyJpbWFnZSI6Imh0dHBzOi8vYXNzZXRzLnJibC5tcy8xMDM5NzA4OS9vcmlnaW4uanBnIiwiZXhwaXJlc19hdCI6MTYxOTY0MDQ5OH0.MTTDDi2vHaiY1WtBOAvaLSNr8skp1kscxBmqRcFWcUU/img.jpg?width=980" id="bdc66" class="rm-shortcode" data-rm-shortcode-id="5d765b3ad4546f880292453cc4ec716d" data-rm-shortcode-name="rebelmouse-image"> David Hart's NYFW February 2016 show. Source: <a href="https://www.facebook.com/107582295944969/photos/a.429686367067892.87055.107582295944969/929132303789960" target="_blank">Facebook</a></p><p></p><h2><strong>“Dear White People in the Fashion World”</strong></h2><p>South Sudanese model Nykhor Paul checked make-up artists in her “<a href="https://www.instagram.com/p/4zVonor-ox/" target="_blank">Dear White People in The Fashion World</a>” instagram post last September. She made the statement during NYFW citing her own experiences and those of her fellow black models. It quickly became a viral sensation. Yes girl, tell ‘em!</p><p></p><blockquote class="instagram-media" data-instgrm-captioned="" data-instgrm-version="6" style="background: #FFF; border: 0; border-radius: 3px; box-shadow: 0 0 1px 0 rgba(0,0,0,0.5),0 1px 10px 0 rgba(0,0,0,0.15); margin: 1px; max-width: 658px; padding: 0; width: calc(100% - 2px);"><p></p><div style="padding: 8px;"><p></p><div style="background: #F8F8F8; line-height: 0; margin-top: 40px; padding: 50.0% 0; text-align: center; width: 100%;"></div><p><a href="https://www.instagram.com/p/4zVonor-ox/" style="color: #000; font-family: Arial,sans-serif; font-size: 14px; font-style: normal; font-weight: normal; line-height: 17px; text-decoration: none; word-wrap: break-word;" target="_blank">Dear white people in the fashion world! Please don't take this the wrong way but it's time you people get your shit right when it comes to our complexion! Why do I have to bring my own makeup to a professional show when all the other white girls don't have to do anything but show up wtf! Don't try to make me feel bad because I am blue black its 2015 go to Mac, Bobbi Brown, Makeup forever, Iman cosmetic, black opal, even Lancôme and Clinique carried them plus so much more. there's so much options our there for dark skin tones today. A good makeup artist would come prepare and do there research before coming to work because often time you know what to expect especially at a show! Stop apologizing it's insulting and disrespectful to me and my race it doesn't help, seriously! Make an effort at least! That goes for NYC, London, Milan, Paris and Cape Town plus everywhere else that have issues with black skin tones. Just because you only book a few of us doesn't mean you have the right to make us look ratchet. I'm tired of complaining about not getting book as a black model and I'm definitely super tired of apologizing for my blackness!!!! Fashion is art, art is never racist it should be inclusive of all not only white people, shit we started fashion in Africa and you modernize and copy it! Why can't we be part of fashion fully and equally?</a></p><p>A photo posted by nykhor (@nykhor) on <time datetime="2015-07-06T16:55:24+00:00" style="font-family: Arial,sans-serif; font-size: 14px; line-height: 17px;">Jul 6, 2015 at 9:55am PDT</time></p><p></p></div></blockquote><p><script async="" defer src="//platform.instagram.com/en_US/embeds.js"></script></p><p><em>Sumaya is the founder of <a href="http://fabnoir.storenvy.com/" target="_blank">Fab Noir</a> and Black Female Founders (BFF), a resource for black female entrepreneurs who are doing the damn thing or want to. Keep up with Sumaya and Fab Noir on Instagram at <a href="https://www.instagram.com/fabnoirllc/" target="_blank">@fabnoirllc</a>. </em></p>
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