Harlem Fashion Week Returns After Hiatus, Announces Schedule

HARLEM, NY — Following a one-year hiatus due to the coronavirus pandemic, Harlem Fashion Week returns in early September and will culminate with the Season 9 fashion show and awards presentation.

"Everything we know and love about the fashion industry has changed before our eyes. Who could've imagined an industry that has thrived for decades on emotion, texture and experience; now be confined behind walls, masks and six-foot barriers,” Yvonne Jewnell, co-founder of Harlem Fashion Week said.

“While old-fashioned houses and brands have fallen behind in this new turning point, emerging designers have started the curve in innovative fashion experiences. Which is why Harlem Fashion Week will continue to support, educate and advocate for Emerging Designers in our community and abroad. "

Harlem Fashion Week started in 2016 after being founded by Jewnell and her mother, Tandra Birkett, who own the fashion company, Yvonne Jewnell New York LLC. Since then, Harlem Fashion Week has created a platform for the rising stars in the fashion design industry, the co-founders said in a news release.

“The COVID-19 pandemic has impacted the fashion industry beyond measure. We watched large corporations come to an end and designer brick and mortars close their doors,"Jewnell said. "Out of all this turmoil, it is quintessential for designers to arise from the underground platform; to reclaim their creativity as a beacon of inspiration for a new fashion world."

Here’s a look at the schedule for the upcoming Fashion Week events:

Friday, September 3, 7-9 PM, Kente Royal Gallery

Harlem Fashion Week weekend kick-off media mixer to meet and greet founders Tandra Birkett and Yvonne Jewnell, fashion industry professionals; with a presentation by the fashion designers participating in the Black Lives Matter Fashion Exhibition, event master of ceremonies Jonathan Boderick from Bravo's “B.O.R.N. to Style”. The Black Lives Matter Fashion exhibition judges will include: Lydia T. Blanco(journalist, digital media personality), Gliteratie (philanthropist), Jelani Bandele (founder of TELL LEGACY), Joyous Pierce(multi-disciplinary creative).

RSVP: https://www.eventbrite.com/e/harlem-fashion-week-opening-night-reception-tickets-166466225963

Saturday, September 4, 11 AM - 4 PM , Adam Clayton Powell State Office Building, in the Gallery

The Business of Fashion Symposium: Harlem Fashion Week invites all prospective designers, stylists, models, photographers, retail and e-commerce folks interested in the fashion and retail industry to join for a day of engaging panel discussions and workshops. Our keynote speaker will be Harlem’s very own Princess Jenkins, owner of The Brownstone, founder of Women in the Black and adjunct professor at FIT.

Hosted by Tandra Birkett & Yvonne Jewnell, Harlem Fashion Week Founders

TicketLink: https://www.eventbrite.com/e/harlem-fashion-week-business-of-fashion-symposium-tickets-166467782619

Sunday, September 5, 3:00 - 5:30 PM , Courtyard Plaza at Adam Clayton Powell Jr State Office Building

Black Lives Matter Fashion Exhibition Harlem and Awards Ceremony - Femme Forward will be hosted by Jonathan Broderick (Bravo's B.O.R.N. to Style) with Harlem’s renaissance woman - Sirius Satellite radio host of Bevelations, TV personality and author Bevy Smith as the BLM Fashion Exhibition award presenter and honoree award presenter to these several women for progressing forward culture, commerce and community through their awesome work. The Season 9 award recipients are:

Harlem Fashion Week will be honoring several women for progressing forward culture, commerce and community through their awesome work. The Season 9 award recipients are:

Nikoa Evans-Hendricks (Executive Director, Harlem Park to Park)

Chivona Renée Newsome (Co-Founder, Black Lives Matter, Greater NY)

Dionne Williams (Producer, Emerge Fashion Show and Principal, D. Williams Public Relations)

The festivities will include “A Celebration of Black Lives in Fashion”. The fashion exhibition will feature 10 avant garde garments created by designers across the country inspired by the Black Lives Matter movement. This event will include a reception with specialty cocktails, gourmet desserts and live performances.

TicketLink: https://www.eventbrite.com/e/harlem-fashion-week-blm-fashion-exhibition-tickets-166238302237

Sunday, September 5 | 6:30 - 9:30 PM |Courtyard Plaza at Adam Clayton Powell Jr State Office Building

Harlem Fashion Week: The Runway Shows will present Season 9 LIVE as well as a virtually broadcasted to share the exciting fashion show with national and international fashion fans. The show will present in three tiers:

6:30 PM

Maison Zelani

House of Q

House of Vaughn

Hennaflower

Karma DePrince

Scarf Dressing

Naids Fashion

Yves Luc

8:00 PM | EMERGING DESIGNER SHOW

Hightower

Rize Of RIZR

CJackson Long Island

Void Asylum

Streeter

Hiari Strong

9:00 PM

IFLY UNIVERSE

Lips Couture by Sharon

Nothing to Wear

Kokonikol

Styles of Imagination

Yvonne Wingfield

United Icons

Bombazo Wear (r).

Tickets on sale at this site.