Fashion is an art, but there is an important perspective missing from the conversation. In the 1950s there was an empty seat at the dance table until Alvin Ailey sat there and brought a fresh perspective to dance that is now appreciated by all and what has now become an American legacy. Currently, there’s an empty seat at the fashion table and Harlem Fashion Row is bringing a diverse point of view to the roundtable.
The world is waiting to hear our voice. People of color had a powerful presence in the fashion world in the 70s, 80s, and 90s, but somewhere along the way, our voice was silenced. That day has passed and today we offer the world our voice, our perspective, our view on fashion. HFR online will tackle controversial topics in fashion. We will step over boundaries that have not been touched and tell the thousands of stories that have not been told about the success people of color have obtained in this industry.
Our legacy is rich, but there is more. Our story has yet to be told from the people who are living it. We are giving HFR designers a platform to be seen and sold globally in major department stores. Our brand is being extended outside of New York to other cities in the US and across the globe. We are providing an outlet for our mavens to share their life’s fashion lessons, and we will continue to show the collections of amazing, emerging designers of color.
As we grow, we want to build with you… hear your stories. This is a conversation between people that have an opinion about fashion and the business of it. This is a community and a culture that is serious about receiving fashion information of substance. We crave the new and appreciate an authentic take on this artform. We look for inspiration in all things creative. We want to acknowledge the ones that continue to make strides who are not always recognized – those unheard voices in fashion are ours and though the movement did not start with us, we are here to continue it now. Today, a connection is born…a community…a culture…HFR online.
Brandice N. Henderson
Founder/CEO
Harlem’s Fashion Row
