Eight Dope New York Fashion Week Moments from the African Diaspora

Menswear designer David Hart made a bold statement at New York Fashion Week when he decided to cast only black men in his show. And with Women’s NYFW following suit, there was plenty more to look forward to.

Erykah Badu brought ‘the black experience’ to NYFW as the stylist for Haitian-American designer Kerby Jean-Raymond’s Pyer Moss show. Liberian ‘Project Runway’ all star Korto Momolu, South African designer David Tlale, BCBG’s Max Azria from Tunisia and the Malian-born Lamine Kouyate all returned to NYFW.

Below is a look back at eight of the dopest New York Fashion Week moments from the diaspora:

Alek Wek = Boss

South Sudanese British model supermodel Alek Wek snatching off her blonde wig at Betsey Johnson’s 1998 show was easily one of the fiercest moments in NYFW history.

David Tlale’s almost entirely black model entourage was nothing short of brilliant during NYFW Spring/Summer 2015. The South African designer set a new standard for runway diversity with his show, led by none other than the first black male supermodel, Tyson Beckford.

Africa Fashion Week began in 2009 as a way of showcasing the top African designers during NYFW, and has since expanded to fashion capitals around the globe.

Since she hit the scene in 2014, nearly every outfit Lupita Nyong’o has graced has been editorial-worthy. Her NYFW looks are no exception.

Dynamic Nigerian sister duo Lizzy and Darlene Okpo debuted their William Okpo line at NYFW in 2012. Their shows have drawn in the likes of Solange and Kanye, and for good reason.

Since debuting at NYFW in 2013, Azede Jean-Pierre is still the fashion girl about town with her sophisticated and sleek designs.

In using only Black men, from Senegal to Haiti to New Jersey, in his jazz-themed runway show this year, David Hart showed that the whole ensemble can be all black everything and lit.

South Sudanese model Nykhor Paul checked make-up artists in her ‘Dear White People in The Fashion World’ instagram post last September. She made the statement during NYFW citing her own experiences and those of her fellow black models. It quickly became a viral sensation.

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