New York Fashion Week continued for The Knockturnal as we made our way to the Naeem Khan show on Wednesday at Moynihan Station.
Custo Dalmau, designer and co-founder of Custo Barcelona, named his spring/summer 17 collection: Way More. And he meant it in every aspect imaginable.
As soon as guests walked into the rudimentary warehouse-looking space, everyone noticed the projected words on the wall. “She made broken look beautiful and strong look invincible. She walked with the universe on her shoulders and made it look like a pair of wings.” These two simple sentences introduced the theme of the upcoming collection.
Afro Punk Festival is quickly becoming one of the most popular east coast music festivals after hosting its yearly gathering in Brooklyn, New York for over ten years.
This year, the two day event took place August 27th-28th and featured artists and bands from The Internet, Bad Brains, and Tyler the Creator to Janelle Monae, Ice Cube, and Living Color.
From the eclectic fashion attire of the attendees to the fantastic, though lesser known, artists gracing the stage, attending Afro Punk is a wonderland for care-free individuals looking to embrace their individuality and freedom to live outside of the box. All of this goes hand-in-hand with the ability to enjoy the many hues of the Black and Brown faces around without concern for stereotyping or judgment.
As a matter of fact, Afro Punk’s rules are no sexism, no racism, no ableism, no ageism, no homophobia, no fatphobia, no transphobia, no hatefulness.
Basically, if you don’t have anything nice to say, don’t come to Afro Punk.
The two day event is full of happy individuals wanting to enjoy themselves in ways that they might not be able to when faced with the expectations and judgment of the world outside of Commodore Barry Park.
Outside of having a safe space to be oneself, the event also boasts of an amazing line up. Probably the most anticipated guest of Sunday night was Janelle Monae who gave a dazzling performance in her signature black and white get up with accompanying bow-tie. Monae, who is no stranger to Afro Punk and has apparently been there since its beginnings, graced the Red Stage on day two and drew a crowd so deep, growing wings and flying felt like the only way to grab a glimpse of the “Hell You Talm Bout” singer’s flowing faux-fur shawl or her flawless Prince tribute.
In-between performances, DJs played their sets while people swirled, wined, popped, locked, nae-naed, stanky legged, and whatever else the music called for while the cool breeze bounced the myriad of kinky-curly tresses swaying across the landscape. And while others moved and grooved on the grass, some made their way around the vendor booths to check out all of the unique items sold by Black owned businesses, get their arms “marbled” with colorful swirls, catch some free promotional items, or have their souls painted across their bodies by Beyoncé’s Lemonade artist Laolu Senbanjo.
Afro Punk Festival 2016 proved, once again, to be one of the most lit, safe zones for people of color (and anyone who wants to simply enjoy good people, good music, and a good life).
https://www.instagram.com/p/BJrS2OHh6Yz/?hl=en&taken-by=janellemonae
New York’s largest literary festival will be taking place Sunday, September 18.
“(Speaking with a Nigerian accent) The other thing he told me (Jidenna’s Father) when I was in Nigeria, there are two types of people in this world: those that make things happen and those that don’t want anything to happen.
Saturday, June 25th, 2016 RAND Luxury hosted a private brunch in the Hamptons, featuring Rolls-Royce of Manhattan, a division of Manhattan Motor Cars.
We traveled to Bellport NY for the annual Boys and Girls Club of Bellport Area Beach Ball 2016, hosted by Alexandra Lebenthal and Jay Diamond. Check out the scene.
Los Angeles based artist Desire Obtain Cherish brings a new awareness to one’s sense of self and happiness in his exhibition Servant To Infinite Distraction.
The Renaissance Hotel is now the home of New York’s very own Rock & Reilly’s Irish Pub.