Harlem’s Fashion Row celebrated Black creativity, style and entrepreneurship at its 19th Annual Fashion Show & Style Awards, bringing together leading figures from fashion, music and popular culture as New York Fashion Week got underway.
Held on September 8 at The Glasshouse in New York City, the event was presented under the theme “Peace by Piece,”reflecting Harlem’s Fashion Row’s emphasis on building lasting careers and institutions through collaboration, community and sustained investment in Black talent.
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The evening honoured six influential figures whose work has helped shape fashion and culture. Grammy-winning artist Erykah Badu received the Fashion Icon Award, while fashion creator Wisdom Kaye was presented with the Virgil Abloh Award by LVMH. Designer Brandon Blackwood was named Designer of the Year, while fashion industry veteran Audrey Smaltz received the Ann Lowe Maverick Award. Jahleel Weaver was recognised as Stylist of the Year and Recho Omondi as Editor of the Year.
Badu’s recognition highlighted her longstanding influence on fashion and Black self-expression. Known for her distinctive headwraps, layered jewellery and eclectic style, she has also used her visibility to champion Black designers. Her Fashion Icon honour follows similar recognition from the Council of Fashion Designers of America in 2024.
The event also placed emerging designers at the centre of the celebration. Chuks Collins, Rey Jaiteh and Waina Chancy, founder of Atelier Ndigo, presented their Spring/Summer 2027 collections as participants in the Runway Ahead Designer Fellowship, an initiative created through ICON360 and the PVH Foundation to provide emerging designers of colour with funding, mentorship and business development support.
The fellowship’s investment culminated in a US$100,000 prize, awarded to Chancy for Atelier Ndigo. The Haitian-born designer drew inspiration from her mother and memories of Haiti for her winning collection, translating those experiences into indigo and white designs that connected personal history with contemporary fashion.
The other runway designers brought distinct perspectives to the presentation. Collins, whose work incorporates African heritage with contemporary tailoring, showcased a collection exploring love and craftsmanship, while Harlem-based Jaiteh presented handcrafted menswear and womenswear influenced by denim, streetwear and modern luxury.
The celebration also featured a platform for a new generation of designers, including 11-year-old Brooke Sumpter, who presented her Cherry Blossom Couture Collection through Harlem’s Fashion Row’s partnership with American Girl. The appearance underscored the organisation’s broader focus on creating opportunities for young Black creatives and encouraging them to see themselves as future leaders in fashion.
As Harlem’s Fashion Row approaches its 20th year, the annual awards continue to serve as both a celebration and an investment in Black fashion. This year’s event demonstrated that its mission extends beyond the runway, combining recognition of established cultural figures with financial support and visibility for designers working to build sustainable brands of their own.
