Fashion + Newark = A Perfect Match
Newark, NJ- Fashion & Newark mesh together so cohesively. Aside from the mindless outdated chatter of Newark’s ‘negative’ stigma there is something far more creative brewing within the city that I and many others call home. It is an intense creative culture and a breeding ground for unadulterated fashion.
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Outsiders may not be aware but once you’re living within the city you’ll quickly take notice of the fashion culture that exist within Newark.
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Thinking back to high school I can tell you the hallways were the original runway. From West Side, to Central, to Weeqhiac and over to Shabazz the young women and men put effort and thought in their outfits daily. That culture of valuing what goes on our bodies transcended from adolescence into adulthood.
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With the right people in power the city of Newark was able to finally execute their very first Fashion week-end with the culmination of Newark Fashion Forward this past weekend.
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Newark Fashion Forward was presented by the City of Newark, Newark CEDC, and Newark Happening. With Mayor Ras J. Baraka, Aisha Glover, Taita Elamin, and the Newark Fashion Forward committee members we were able to witness Newark’s first and long over due fashion weekend.
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Last Friday night the opening reception entitled “Fashion on the Green: Botanica” took place at military park. There was a red carpet that lead into the venue which was aligned along each side with fairy light curtains as you walked into the clear tent where the actual ceremony was held. Down the center of the tent was a white acrylic runway. There were rows of white chic folding chairs on each side of the runway. Within the venue was an open bar, food, fresh fruit, live music provided by the dj and baked goods provided by She Imagined Sweets. If you were tuned into the Urban Girl Mag snap chat or IG stories then you were able to get a first hand look at the Opening reception on Friday night.
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The show was attended by Angela Simmons, local fashion designers, boutique owners, public figures, political figures and many others. The fashion savvy night was hosted by Essence magazine’s Fashion and Beauty Director Julee Wilson. Fashion guru Tai Beauchamp and alumni of Newark based catholic school Saint Vincent Academy was honored along side Newark native, author and Essence magazine editor Mikki Taylor. During a brief intermission guests were serenade by a live performance by Newark native and contestant on The Four Leah Jenae.
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Designers featured in Friday night’s show included Marco Hall, Everything Rouge by Melody Asherman, Milele Atelier, Shavi Lewis. Saturday’s art exhibition included designers Paris Monogan, Tyrone Chablis, Six20Style, Naheemah, Emi+Clo and Yo denim street style artist.
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The epic 3 day fashion weekend ended with a panel discussion along with the screening of ‘The Gospel According to Andre’ at the Newark Museum. The panel was hosted by honoree Mikki Taylor in partnership with the Newark Museum, NIFF, and Newark Happening a fashion forward panel of industry insiders was presented to attendees. The panel consisted of honoree Tai Beauchamp, fashion editor and freelance stylist Solange Franklin, and wardrobe stylist Wouri Vice.
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If you some how happened to miss this year’s first ever Newark Fashion Forward stay tuned for next year where it is sure to be bigger and better.
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