Memphis native Brandice Daniel once again put Black creativity at the forefront of one of fashion’s biggest weeks, opening New York Fashion Week with Harlem’s Fashion Row’s 19th annual Fashion Show & Style Awards.
Held Sept. 8 at The Glasshouse in New York City, the annual event brought designers, stylists, editors and other fashion leaders together to celebrate the work and influence of creatives of color. This year’s theme, “Peace by Piece,” reflected both the process of building a career one step at a time and the importance of protecting one’s peace along the way.
For Daniel, founder and CEO of Harlem’s Fashion Row, the message was particularly fitting. She has spent nearly two decades building a platform dedicated to increasing visibility, access and opportunities for designers of color in an industry where those opportunities historically have been limited.
“You don’t have to build everything overnight, in chaos or afraid. You can build in peace,” the Brooklyn resident told the audience during her opening remarks.
Daniel also reminded those gathered that the community Harlem’s Fashion Row has built is intentional.
“Nobody is here by accident,” she said. “We all believe that designers of color matter, and … you’re welcome at this table.”
From Memphis to fashion’s biggest stage
Daniel’s journey began far from New York runways.
A graduate of White Station High School, Daniel eventually made her way into the fashion industry and founded Harlem’s Fashion Row in 2007. She created the organization to connect multicultural designers with the resources, relationships and exposure needed to grow their businesses.
What started as an effort to create space for overlooked talent has developed into an influential platform in the fashion industry. Harlem’s Fashion Row has worked to provide designers of color with financial, professional and creative support while connecting emerging talent with major brands and industry decision-makers.
Nearly 20 years later, Daniel’s organization has become a fixture of the opening lineup for New York Fashion Week.
This year marked another expansion of Daniel’s vision with the debut of Harlem’s Fashion Row’s first print magazine, HFR. Actress, producer and Pattern Beauty founder Tracee Ellis Ross graces the cover of the inaugural edition.
Ross, who has been connected to the HFR community since receiving its Fashion Icon Award in 2015, spoke about the organization’s longevity and impact during the launch celebration for the new title, which features conversations with Ross as well as designers, stylists and editors recognized during this year’s awards.
Celebrating Black fashion and creativity
The awards show honored a cross-section of influential Black creatives who have helped shape contemporary fashion and culture.
Designer Brandon Blackwood was named Designer of the Year, while Jahleel Weaver — known for his work with Rihanna — received Stylist of the Year. Recho Omondi received Editor of the Year, and fashion industry veteran Audrey Smaltz, received the Ann Lowe Maverick Award.
Wisdom Kaye,was honored with the Virgil Abloh Award presented by LVMH, while Grammy Award-winning artist and style icon Erykah Badu received the Fashion Icon Award.
But HFR’s mission extends beyond recognition.
The evening’s runway showcased Spring 2027 collections from emerging designers, including Waina Chancy’s Atelier Ndigo. Chancy left the evening with an opportunity capable of materially changing the trajectory of her business: the $100,000 Runway Ahead Prize to help scale her brand.
That investment represents the larger purpose behind what Daniel has built.
For nearly two decades, Harlem’s Fashion Row has worked to create an ecosystem where designers of color can gain visibility, develop relationships, access capital and build sustainable businesses.
From Memphis to Harlem and now one of the first major events on the New York Fashion Week calendar, Daniel’s journey demonstrates what can happen when creating a seat at the table turns into building an entirely new table.
