Africans in the Diaspora are making bold statements at the Mercedes Benz New York Fashion Week. From models, to designers and stylists, there seems to be a commendable representation in all categories, fusing African style with modern day fashion sensations.
Last week saw David Hart, New York Fashion Week’s male designer, array only black male models on his show. Erykah Badu had the chance to flaunt the ‘Black African Experience’, by styling for Haitian-American designer, Kerby Jean-Raymond’s Pyer Moss Show.
Other African designers that rocked the runway included Liberia Project Runway All Star, Korto Momolu, South African designer, David Tlale and Malian born Lamine Kouyate, among others.
Okay Africa recently made a list of dope New York Fashion Week moments from the African Diaspora.
1. Alek Wek proved that you do not have to follow the crowd, when she took off her blonde wig at the Betsey Johnson’s 1998 show, and hence one of the fiercest moments at the NYFW history.
2. David Tlale, a South African designer, had an almost entirely black entourage- setting a new standard for runway diversity in his show.
3. The birth of the African Fashion Week in 2009 was also a noteworthy category, showcasing top African designers in the New York Fashion Week, which has since attracted designers globally.
4. Ever since Lupita stepped into the limelight in 2014, her fashion sense has become quite newsworthy and you won’t miss some gossip about her looks in any event that the actress graces.
5. We could wrap it up with the South Sudanese Model instagram post on ‘Dear White people in the fashion world’ in 2015. Here, she cited her own experiences including her fellow black models on the alleged discrimination they face as models. This quickly stirred up a heated debate online.
