Urban culture collides with fashion at Style Fashion Week LA 2015
Style Fashion Week LA 2015, I would say was by far the best. From the venue space, to the designers, and to the opening acts, this year’s fashion events definitely topped last year. My favorite night was Friday, October 16 because it was truly a night of diversity. For so long, the fashion industry has been “white-washed”, not to put it in negative terms in anyway, but there was not much diversity, and if there was a Black designer featured in a big fashion show, they most likely seemed as if they were selling out because their clothes were not at all appealing to the Black community and not to mention they were extremely too high. But Friday night, I was very pleased and excited to see two urban brands, one which is Black owned, showcase their talent, and since there were urban brands being presented in Friday’s show, it was only right that a the opening act cater to the ambiance of it all. Now this is where the real surprise comes in.
Before the show started, I had my camera ready to take a few flicks, but as soon as the opening musical act approached the stage, I had almost lost focus for like 5 seconds because I was not only excited, but shocked to see that the two guys that had entered the stage were none other then my best friend and his brother, both are actually more like my chosen brothers. The go by the name Badd Tattoo. I am beyond proud of these two. I have had the privilege to watch their careers blossom over the past 5 years, and I see them going nowhere but up! Check out the video below of their performance.
After the opening act, the first designer to showcase their creative masterpieces was Foxbait. FOXBAIT is a Los Angeles based high-end woman’s wear brand making comfortable clothing with a sophisticated twist. The brand was created to fill a void in contemporary fashion and please fashion consumers who seek quality and style without compromising comfort or price. The collection offers pieces for the modern and polished woman who is trend-conscious, loves fashion, and has the creativity and style to make anything their own. Below you will see a a few of my favorite designs that I was able to snap on the runway.
After the opening act, the first designer to showcase their creative masterpieces was Foxbait. FOXBAIT is a Los Angeles based high-end woman’s wear brand making comfortable clothing with a sophisticated twist. The brand was created to fill a void in contemporary fashion and please fashion consumers who seek quality and style without compromising comfort or price. The collection offers pieces for the modern and polished woman who is trend-conscious, loves fashion, and has the creativity and style to make anything their own. Below you will see a a few of my favorite designs that I was able to snap on the runway.
Next up is my favorite brand of the evening. The UWI Twinsproved that Black fashion can make an impact within the fashion industry. The UWI Twins embody the word creativity, showcasing it in all areas of their lives. Twins Reuben and Lévi were born in Rwanda, where they experienced the 1994 genocide. At the tender age of 7, they escaped the brutality and horrors, creating a new home in Vancouver, B.C. This traumatic experience could have scarred them for life, hindering their growth and development, but the UWI twins were able to overcome this defeated mentality with their inner creativity and desire to move forward. As they grew older, they discovered that they shared a passion for acting, fashion, and music.
They spurred one another on to pursue their dreams, knowing the road ahead would be difficult. Although they weren’t sure how their dreams would manifest themselves, their perseverance enabled them to continue when everyone else deemed their efforts useless. At the age of 15, while doing a photo shoot for their acting headshots, the twins were spotted by a rep at Howard Hill Agency and were signed on the spot. Less than a year later, Lévi landed a spot in the Verizon Wireless North American television ad campaign, and the rest is history. During Friday night’s show, they definitely brought their A-game and the creativity that they express was displayed on stage. Below is an African dance and drum set that the twins opened up their showcase with. The routine had everyone cheering, snapping photos, and taking a video. Just epic!
Their designs also cater to both the female and male consumer. They had a wide range of casual wear and dress attire. I will definitely be supporting them and adding to my wardrobe. Here are were just a few of my favorite designs from the twins:
Their designs also cater to both the female and male consumer. They had a wide range of casual wear and dress attire. I will definitely be supporting them and adding to my wardrobe. Here are were just a few of my favorite designs from the twins:
Other urban designers that were showcased on Friday included, African American designer Venny Etienne and Seize&Desist.