Harlem’s Fashion Row Celebrates 15 Years

By Tyshca Nicole

Harlem’s Fashion Row celebrated its 15 year anniversary in the fashion scene. For those who don’t know, Harlem's Fashion Row (HFR) is a leading agency that connects brands with minority fashion designers through brand strategy, partnerships, digital and in-person marketing, talent scouting, and other pipeline initiatives.

HFR has supported and promoted designers of color for decades, long before this became a mainstream goal in the fashion industry.

This year’s theme was Future’s Past. As stated on their Instagram, “A future fueled by our past is the untold history of so many.”

To commemorate, HFR held its 15th Annual Fashion Show and Style Rewards. The designers presented were Jonathan Hayden, Nicole Benefield, and Clarence Ruth.

Issa Rae received the Virgil Abloh Award from LVMH, while Sergio Hudson earned the Designer of the Year, Ade Samuel received Stylist of the Year, and Robin Givhan was awarded Editor of the Year. Janet Jackson accepted the Icon of the Year award at the Jazz at Lincoln Center after-party.

HFR cultivates cutting-edge events that draw a wide range of diversified figures in entertainment, media, and fashion. Their goal is to give multicultural fashion designers legitimate business possibilities so they may show off their talents in a field that is sometimes inaccessible to them.

HFR is the first of its kind and is paving the way for others to have their work seen and voices heard in fashion.