The Dithering of a District Diva

A funny thing happened during the Mercedes-Benz Spring/Summer 2014 Fashion Week in New York. I attended cool shows and did a few interviews for BET.com and forgot to tell my fellow Ditherers and Divas about it. Ooops! So before 2014 is out, here’s a recap of my superfun time at MBFW, which included sitting front row at a show by invitation (!!!!!!!).

David Tlale

South African designer David Tlale kicked off Day 1 of Mercedes-Benz Fashion Week with a presentation of his Spring/Summer 2014 collection of sheer pastel blouses and chic, ruffled dresses. But what’s haute couture without a little drama? The show’s producer, Kelly Cutrone of Peoples Revolution, backed out at the last minute due to a disagreement about payment. Despite this, Tlale’s presentation began on time, without a hitch and Tlale said of the hiccup, “[It’s] one of those lessons learned.”

Dom Streater

On Day 2 of Fashion Week, Project Runway finalist Dom Streater debuted her futuristic designs at the highly anticipated Project Runway Fashion Show which will serve as the finale of Season 12 . Streater told BET.com that her collection of purple metallics, silvers and blues was inspired by The Jetsons. But what was just as stunning as her designs was the fact that the first 5 models in her show were beautiful Black women. “It actually was not planned at all,” Streater told BET.com, “the order was based on the particular garments and the models who looked best in those garments.” Lets hope the future of fashion looks just like Streater has envisioned.

Streater ended up being the only Black designer to present at fashion week because fellow finalst Ken Laurence made a decision backstage not to show his designs, “for personal reasons,” Laurence told BET.com. We’ll have to catch the Season 12 finale on Lifetime to get the whole story and see which designer fabulous guest judge Kerry Washington will help crown as the winner.  (UPDATE: Dom won Project Runway! Woo!)

Tracy Reese

Veteran designer Tracy Reese’s vision for Spring 2014 is Afro-Cuban Chic. A live band set the mood as Reese’s models bopped down the runway in her Black and White cut-out dresses and pants with sheer tops matched with gladiator sandals, scarfs and top stylish top hats. Spanning from the working woman to the young woman at play, Reese covered all of her bases with this season’s designs.

 

B. Michael

After B. Michael’s Wednesday night show, there was really nothing left to see. From beginning to end, B. Michael’s designs–for women and men–literally stunned as gasps could be heard throughout the audience when his couture gowns and bold pastel men’s suits strutted down the runway. Inspired by a visit to Claude Monet’s garden in Giverny, B. Michael told BET.com, it was all about the colors. “Nature obviously has done it all, so you can’t beat nature when it comes to inspiration, but being in the garden and looking at what Claude Monet was looking at from his studio, how could you not be inspired?”

The true show-stopper, however, was veteran supermodel Lu Sierra who owned the runway in B. Michael’s finale couture gown like no one ever could. When asked about the importance of featuring Black women in his shows, he told BET.com,

“I have a history with these beautiful women and I cannot imagine not having them in my life and for me, it’s just what I do.” And he does it so well. Get b michael america RED collection at Macy’s like I did!

HONORABLE MENTION: Cesar Galindo

This was my second time in 2013 seeing a Cesar Galindo collection and once again, he blew me away with his extremely detailed designs, asymmetrical patterns and flowing-yt-edgy spring/summer dresses. But more than anything, I was completely rocked by the number of Black models who posed in his presentation.  I lost count. It was more than a third. In an industry that continues to shut out Black women, it was refreshing and encouraging to see so many Black and brown beauties getting their shine wearing Galindo’s fabulous designs!

And just for fun, here are some of my looks from Fashion Week!

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