An exceptionally fruitful scent makes its way to the big apple just in time for Fall.
Fashion
ESSENCE Girls United 2023 Summit featuring South African Songstress Tyla, Muni Long, BIA and More To Return To Atlanta
The ESSENCE Girls United (GU) Disruptor Summit returns on November 11, 2023, in Atlanta, GA. The one-day event will be held at the PC&E soundstage from 10 AM to 5:30 PM EST and will serve as a safe space for young Black women, girls, and gender-expansive youth engage in panels, workshops, networking, activations, and more.
This year’s theme is “The Era of the Disruption” and inspires the new generation to come together and use their voices, innovate, share ideas and celebrate the richness of the Black experience.
The lineups does not disappoint and includes sister-duo Jordyn & Jodie Woods, Fashion Blogger and Designer Aleali May, Social Media powerhouses Yung BBQ and Aliyah’s Interlude, ESSENCE Ventures President & CEO Caroline Wanga, and a live taping of Season 5 of If Not For My Girls with rapper BIA, singer-songwriter Muni Long and actress and comedian Pretty Vee.
Hailing from South Africa, singer-songwriter Tyla will mark her performance debut at ESSENCE Girls United. Her track “Water” gained TikTok fame and has since made a significant impact in the industry, earning her a No. 1 spot on Billboard’s U.S. Afrobeats Songs chart, displacing “Calm Down” by Rema featuring Selena Gomez.
“ESSENCE GU continues to embrace the values of empowerment and leadership. With a strong focus on personal development, intellectual growth, and societal change, our initiative has been meticulously curated to inspire young women and girls, creating a ripple effect of disruptors,” said Essence Girls United Co-Creator Rechelle Dennis.
Participants can secure free tickets for the 2023 ESSENCE Girls United Disruptor Summit at https://www.essence.com/gusummit2023, with virtual access on ESSENCE.com and GirlsUnited.ESSENCE.com. Join the conversation on social media @ESSENCEGU, using #GUDisruptorSummit.
Runway to Seoul took place at the DDP Oullim Square in Seoul on September 23, 2023, in collaboration with WWD Korea, SBA (Seoul Business Agency), and KBIZ (Korea Federation of SMEs). The event hoped to open a path for domestic fashion brands, aiming to infuse the essence of K-fashion, beauty, entertainment, and cutting-edge technology to step onto a more global stage
The Model Experience: A Fusion of Fashion, Music, and Diversity Strut the Runway
From a wide range of fashion to energetic performances on the runway, The Model Experience Fashion Week Festival transformed the Los Angeles Convention Center on Sept. 30. Brands like Cough Syrup by Desto Dubbs took the stage, along with performances from Doechii and Kaliii, lighting the stage with an electrifying fusion of music and style.
Stepping into Style: Commemorating 50 Years of the Timberland Stoop, Birthplace of Hip-Hop in NYC
The vibrant energy of proud New Yorkers permeated every corner of the Timberland Stoop event on Saturday, September 23rd, in a Brooklyn warehouse at 267 Kent Avenue.
This gathering was a dual celebration like no other, commemorating Timberland’s 50th anniversary and the birth of hip-hop, both deeply intertwined with the essence of New York City. Timberland crafted the ultimate New York experience, fostering a sense of connection among New Yorkers and their beloved neighborhoods.
The event was a blend of fashion, music, and creativity, all centered on the iconic NY boot. Timberland placed a strong emphasis on community, boldness, and fun, transforming a compact 380+ square foot space into a lively, fully stocked bodega. The attention to detail was remarkable, from a cat sporting Tims inside the bodega to pigeons perched above, proudly flaunting their pair of butter boots. Timberland reintroduced their Classic 8-inch Waterproof Super Boot, initially introduced in 1979 as the “40 Below” Boot. These limited-release boots were only available at the Timberland Stoop and will make appearances at all Timberland Stoop locations.
Beyond the Timberland world, the event featured a workshop by creator Phillip Leyesa, showcasing the art of distressing. Besides this, there was a customized Timberland station at the Brooklyn pop-up offering personalized boot designs and shirts, complete with pins, patches, and vinyl designs by Taylor Simmons. It was an interactive and memorable experience, and we even customized our pair, adding to the fun.
The infectious playlist, courtesy of DJ Atelye Marc, set the stage for electrifying live performances by none other than NYC native rappers Dave East and Fabulous, who took the stage by storm, paying homage to hip-hop and Timberland’s impactful legacy.
Food and beverages, including soft drinks and mouth-watering plant-based patties from Seed Brooklyn, kept attendees energized as they danced and vibed the night away. Timberland’s Stoop tour experience will continue, with planned stops in various locations around Manhattan, Brooklyn, and the Bronx.
New York Fashion Week is back and active, as everyone gathered near and far to be apart of the many shows, press events and after parties. It’s a full week affair and on Saturday September 9th I had the pleasure of attending Leonardo 5th Avenues NYFW Runway show located at the infamous Spring Studios.
New York City on a rainy September evening, anticipation and excitement filled the air. I had the privilege of attending a highly anticipated fashion show at Spring Studios, a venue renowned for hosting some of the most prestigious events in the fashion industry. Leonardo 5th Avenue promised to be an unforgettable experience, and I was eager to immerse myself in their collection. Designers, Leonardo and Ana Sofia, debuted their RTW Spring/Summer 2024 collection on the runway with the rainy day, but the show must go on. Leonardo’s show was filled with so many unique attendees dressed to impress. As the doors to the hall opened, I made my way to the front row, where the runway extended like a glistening pathway. The stage was bathed in bright lighting, creating an atmosphere of anticipation. The pristine white catwalk seemed to stretch into infinity, a canvas awaiting the artistry of the designers.
The show commenced with a breathtaking display of creativity and innovation. The designer’s collection was a unique expression of their artistic vision, and I was captivated by the diversity of styles on display. From sleek and minimalistic ensembles to bold, avant-garde creations, every piece pushed the boundaries of fashion. The destructed tailored suits, paired with the models dark grungy black Smokey eye makeup, was the perfect combination of elegance and grunge. The models, with their impeccable poise and grace, glided down the runway at first in pairs of two. They walked with a vampire blank expression, sharp movements and confidence that brought the garments to life. The music pulsated in harmony with the designs, adding an extra layer of excitement to the spectacle. This is my first viewing of the brands clothing and I was blown away. The innovation of turning unisex suits into rockstar styled outfits is amazing. The collection was a mix of high fashion quality with street style inspiration. One model had a suit with a studded choker, long cape attached to the romper style suit and chunky leather high heel boots. This was a moment everyone’s jaw dropped in awe of this silhouette.
What I found equally fascinating was the backstage chaos that contrasted with the elegance on the runway. Hair and makeup artists worked tirelessly to ensure each model’s look was impeccable. Designers and their teams hurriedly made last-minute adjustments to the outfits, and the energy backstage was electric. As a fellow model, I saw a few familiar faces that are good friends of mine and other fabulous models I’ve shared a runway with. It’s always a proud moment to see models flourish and grow while being chosen to walk show to show throughout the chaos of fashion week.
The final walk, where all the models appeared together, was a spectacular. The audience erupted in applause, acknowledging the immense talent and hard work of the designers, models, and everyone involved in making the event a reality. Leonardo and Ana Sofia graced the runway with their presence and walked amongst a roaring applause in support and congratulations to their showcased collection. They took pictures, press gathered for interviews and others hurried to the next show.
Congratulations to Leonardo 5th Avenue. I am now aware of this brand and will be on the lookout for what is to come of their next collections and even interests in pulling one of their fabulous evening wear pieces. For more information about Leonardo 5th Avenue, check out their instagram and vogue runway pictures online.