BK Fashion Weekend:Revisited
By Toleya Kamara
Astro-turf cut-outs meet the base of my feet in an s-curved trail as I approached the tent adjacent to Brooklyn Bridge Park. I was impressed by the final set up for the BK weekend Fashion Show, which took place in Dumbo, Brooklyn showcasing the talents of eight independent designers.
The crowd was diverse, ranging from semi-ordinary denim wearers, urban chic, Brooks Brothers suited men and Versace crowd. All guests were granted small tokens, one being a shampoo sampler from Indigo and the reserved section received other perks like savvy magazines with origins of the designers set to display their talents later on the runway (which was placed horizontally in a pristine tent). As we waited there was a cool blend of the old and new (Hip-Hop, R&B with Soul and Club music) by DJ Chicus. On his promotional CD he labeled his mixes “The Party Mix Up” and that definitely described the feeling nostalgia..
Strategy (a reggae group consisting of two males and a lead female vocalist) kicked off the event with renditions of reggae artists’ songs in a medley form. Falon, a new female artist did a sing-song rap formula with her titled songs, “Fork in the Road,” which was a song about decisions and “And Soon As I Believe,” a message about breaking hindrances in life which was received well.
A new charismatic, R&B talent appropriately named Harlem (because of his hometown) sang his heart onto his sleeve as he performed a four song set and hence a sleepy crowd was revived with as he pulled two female audience members and allowed them to showcase their moves.
Kay Slay and Busta Rhymes represented and Papoose needed little introduction as he commanded the audience’s attention with two hype men, lip syncing tunes packed with drowning acoustic cuts that were sampled from different artists and of course his part in the "Touch It’ Remix."
The crowd was also immensely pleased with his flow on a sample of Marvin Gaye’s "Trouble Man’/ ‘Dis Ain’t Livin" and an even greater energy was directed when he began the alphabet song, "A-Z," where he demonstrated in a powerful poetic form of the essence of a man and later left with a 20-deep entourage after finishing his act.
At 7:03 pm designs by Nature vs. Future strutted women’s fashions that showcased the models with long tresses and dramatic lipstick in various red hues. It was mostly business attire - long-cut pant-suits in light earth tones with simple patterns. There were also bright dresses with matching fish-net stockings and flowing mock sweaters. Everything was contoured to the models’ physiques with tapered fits and lean cuts at the cuffs and ankles. Even the guests were somewhat comical as a VIP member had a reserved sign stuck to his back as he embraced another patron.
The Jewel Shannon women’s line was motherland-oriented with dramatic shimmery gold corsets, flowing shirts and gowns with trains, fedoras coupled with lace tops. There was a lot of off-white lace and chiffon with shimmery golden pants and sandals - all while African dialects and drums played in the background. This line received great applause during and after the show with a standing ovation.
Tyeknow, a men’s line, was accompanied by Brooklyn’s finest and Xstasy playing as there was a display of urban, cotton, jumpsuits in red and white with the trademark Tyeknow pasted horizontal on front. Yellow, red and black velour jumpsuits were seen as the models’ hair donned fades, blow-outs and braids.
Jay-Z’s face adorned a white t-shirt. Overall, there were a lot of printed t-shirts and denim. Harriet’s Alter Ego woman's clothing line had a selection of mainly plums and browns. There were plunging v-neck red, romantic dresses, tweed skirts and black lace tops. Black draped, laced capes with black shirts and a reappearance of multi-colored tweed skirts (both straight and pleated) dominate by fuchsia and purple. Pine green silky skirts and long flowing dresses were the theme along with the overall theme of straight- pressed tresses (which where used by all the designers with female lines).
The line Vaine had navy blue silk attire accented with gold. There was also the reappearance of a baby-faced model that held an uncanny resemblance to Naomi Campbell. She received great applause in this segment and throughout the show. There were a lot of plum slacks, v-neck blazers, plum and green velour Capri suits and thick, brown leather belts over dresses that made the outfits pop.
Crimped, chiffon dresses and romantic red silk polka-dot blouses could be viewed alongside gray silk dresses with special linear detail one being a straight red and yellow line at the back of the dress. Vaine also splashed red silk dresses with bulky chains and black lace tops for their women’s line. Khalil’s line was unisex, but started and ended with the brothers.
There was the dramatic use of electric oranges and purple leather outfit with the combination of various animal skins, mostly snake, alligator and goat-skinned that lavishly adorned many of the models from head to toe. There was also desert Arabian-themed shredded linen. And for the women there were were loose linen burlap earth-toned dresses. The theme was definitely comfortable. At the end all the male models marched out with their mighty right-on fists in the air. Khalil’s designer did the same as he walked down the runaway, continuing the male empowerment theme and an overwhelming applause was given by all.
Vaella’s line was a different use of fitted dresses with geometrical, patterned- leather jackets and skirts. There were corduroy red pant suits, brown tweed blazers with skirt off set with gray silk blouses. Velour dresses were also seen, some accented with rhinestones, bold evening gowns with bows and trains and a lot of various cut-off tops.
Lastly, Get Money Girl’s line was especially for the urban woman as there were down, fur-collared jackets various denim outfits with some that were bandana-printed. There were cotton and velour jumpsuits, sheep-skin hip-hugging jackets, sheep-scuffed Capri and full body velour halters with rhinestone straps all with high heels (some being satin). The crowd pleaser came as the models threw money into the audience and as a model lip-synced to the theme of female independence from Destiny’s Child and then came the after party held at the Chocolate Bar at 45 Waverly Place. What a night to remember.
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