Wednesday night (2/19), the 7th floor of Macy’s State Street Narcisuss room was fashionably abuzz as guests and VIPs gathered to hear a powerhouse panel talk about black style and fashion. The Black History Month Macy’s celebration was moderated by former Fox 32 anchor Robin Robinson, the panel included Johnson Publishing CEO Desiree Rogers, famed fashion editor and style expert Constance White, designer Barbara Bates and Chicago History Museum curator Joy Bivins.
The panel opened with short remark from Macy’s Regional Vice President Ralph Hughes.
The conversation ranged from what is black style, to the influence of such luminaries as Eunice Johnson Rice in defining and exposing luxury fashion to the community. Black style has influenced pop culture for decades with trail blazers such as Josephine Baker, Grace Jones to name a few.
Several interesting fact that I learned from the conversation was that an african american designer-Zelda Wynn Valdes-designed the very first playboy bunny costume, and the head designer for Lafayette 148 -Edward Wilkerson a favorite of girls with curves to love is African American.
Sidebar: Desiree Rogers was rocking the Tamara Mellon “Sweet Revenge” legging boot.
The influence of black style is prevalent but the notoriety of black designers isn’t. In our current generation the only known, somewhat household names are very limited to Tracy Reese, Martin Cooper of Belstaff(exit as of Jan. 2014) and that is a problem. The issue isn’t that the talent isnt there, but rather the lack of capital to establish or grow a brand as well as sufficient exposure and continued support and training.
I asked this during the Q&A and will say it again, exactly what is being done to help mentor, bring up the next generation? Just as a person on a corporate trajectory has mentors, sponsors, advisors, how can the next gen of black designers looking to make an impact like Marc Jacobs, Michael Kors get access to what will help them succeed? The new breed of designers such as LaQuan Smith, Shayne Oliver, William Okpo, Chicago’s own Kahindo Mateene It’s not enough for just one person to be the champion, just as it takes a village to raise a child such mentality has to be applied there.
Guest were treated to fashion fair cosmetics makeover
One lucky guest did win a basket full of Fashion Fair cosmetics products and guests had the opportunity to receive exclusive preview copy of Constance White’s new book “Constance White Presents the Queens & Kings of Style” with a $50 or more Macy’s purchase during the event.
*images: Macys
