“Black Fashion Week is not about skin color but about diversity” Adama told me at the press conference Wednesday and she proved that to be true last night. The display of creativity, style and inclusiveness let us know that this new venture is all about fashion and what it means to different people.
This 1st North American Edition of Black Fashion Week took place at L’ Église Saint Jean-Baptiste, a beautiful cathedral in the heart of Montreal. Some might think twice about staging a fashion show in a church but artistically speaking, the intricate details of the church’s architecture and stained glass presented the perfect backdrop for the show. This choice also opened up the ever so present dialogue concerning art, culture and religion.
Twelve designers presented their collections over the course of 2 days. Here are some of my thoughts on what was shown.
ADAMA PARIS | www.adamaparis.com
This was one of my favorite collections of the night. Adama presented a beautiful collection rich in color and African flare. She used coral and white chiffon, mixed-print brocades and striped knits accented with neon pumps. She created an assortment of to-the-body silhouettes, floor grazing gowns, cropped jackets and voluminous silhouettes all the while showing great respect for the female form. The Adama Paris line is perfect for a girl about town who loves femininity.
YVES JEAN LACASSE | www.yvesjeanlacasse.com
Yves Jean Lacasse walks to the beat of his own drum as should any creative person. He presented an edgy yet sophisticated collection perfect for a woman seeking a little drama in her life! Lacasse’s color story was subdued: ivory, brown, washed out olive, rust and white. But his use of texture and styling was anything but simple. His models confidently stomped the runway to music that seemed to be sending us a message: “…there is no one like me… Be yourself!” Subliminal message, perhaps!
HELMER | www.helmerjoseph.com
This show was the show stopper. Helmer is best known for his outlandish creations and last night’s offering was no different. It started to a mystical arrangement of native american chanting and male models with faces covered in glass beads. These glass beads were later on used to create 3 dimensional dresses and jackets. This collection was obviously for show and not for everyday living.
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Photo Credits: Fashion With A Conscience.