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CEO Nichole M. Bess, a fashion industry vet, who quoted the above, started Noir Fashion Week three seasons ago after seeing a black designer being mistreated— “I said this will never happen again”, Bess tells me. “I created my platform for people that look like us and still can’t get in.”

Noir Fashion Week hosted three days of experiences, “full of all things, black, brown and BIPOC, the brand’s COO, Dr. Courtney A. Hammonds (@imdrcah) told me. The weekend kicked off with a cocktails and conversations panel discussing sustainability, diversity, and inclusion. I attended the next night’s networking mixer which also served as the kickoff event for the fashion show finale the next day.

Some of the new and emerging designers attended ahead of their big day. Designer Safa of SAFA Designs (@shopsafadesigns) was one of them. She spoke to me about her Haute couture fashion line, which works primarily with textiles, beading and patterns. Surprisingly, she debuted and showcased her fashion line the same year that she began designing thanks to a strong push from CEO, Nichole M. Bess (@nicholembess). After debuting just three seasons ago in 2021, Safa hopes her designs will inspire women— “You can do anything you want.” Guests, including television personality, Alexis Skyy (@alexisskyy_) got to see celebrity stylist and Nigerian Netflix star, Swanky Jerry (@swankyjerry) presented with the Trailblazer Award, sip on cocktails and network.

COO, Dr. Courtney A. Hammonds, Creative Director, Whitney Douglas & CEO, Nichole M. Bess

So, how did they pull off three days of events at NYFW? Motivation and teamwork. “I’m legacy driven—it’s really for my children and then also I just love seeing people’s dreams come true”, Nichole shared with me. “At the end of the day it takes a team…ironically we’re coming from all parts of the world…yes we all have different personalities, but we understand the assignment”, COO Dr. Hammonds went on to highlight.  So how does one get to showcase their designs and ideas on a platform like this? “Social media…Instagram, Facebook”, Hammonds shares, “but really word of mouth as well because it can be someone that says, ‘Do you know this person? You need to know them. You need to see them.’ And then also events like this so that they can come and be engrossed in everything going on around the community”.

Follow Noir Fashion Week and its designers on Instagram at @noirfashionweek

Photo Credits: KnoxMedia