Fashion Week: Chelsea Exhibit Highlights Work of African American Designers

NY1 News covers the fashion scene in NYC with an in-depth look at Fashion Week in the spring and fall, plus additional reports throughout the year.

By: Cheryl Wills Text size: +-

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Fashion week kicked off Thursday at Lincoln Center and since it coincides with Black History Month, Pratt Institute has launched a glitzy new exhibit called 'Black Dress' which pays tribute to African American fashion designers. NY1's Cheryl Wills filed the following report.

When Rihanna famously strutted her stuff in a gold catsuit for her Rude Boy music video, you may be surprised to know that it was created by an up and coming designer from Queens, who is quickly becoming a national sensation. His name is LaQuan Smith and he has a cult following.

Smith is one of 10 contemporary New York City based designers featured in an exhibit at Pratt Manhattan Gallery in Chelsea called 'Black Dress' which pays tribute to African American designers. Born and raised in St. Albans, Smith has no formal training, no financial backers and his grandmother taught him how to sew. But at age 26, he has Vogue Magazine and a long list of celebrity clients singing his praises for what he calls a 'hip hop Parisian' style that Rihanna put on the fashionista map.

'This is the catsuit that she wore but in the 3D version, and the gold version. So we remixed and did it in a dress,' says Smith.

Even though LaQuan Smith is red hot he will be a no show at New York Fashion Week because he can't get the big financial backers in his corner. Professor Adrienne Jones says it's a major reason why she dreamed up the exhibit.

'This is not the time for us right now. We come and go but the money isn't always there so we have to try different venues to get out,' says Jones.

The glitzy and sophisticated exhibit is like walking down a trendy Harlem boulevard and peering into store windows. Each window represents a different designer's look, innovation and style.

'We support more of the black designers and buy their designs they will be able to do more,' says Curator Paula Coleman.

Other designers featured include Byron Lars.

'There are many African Americans behind the scene with very viable businesses that are not showing at fashion week. I'm not showing in fashion week and I'm doing pretty good,' he says.

The 'Black Dress' exhibit runs until April 26.