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The inaugural Best in Black Fashion Awards premiered the at Spring 2020 New York Fashion Week on September 4th, 2019 at the Arts & Affirmation building. Together with Target as the presenting sponsor, ESSENCE hosted more than one hundred fashion designers, creatives and artists to celebrate their contribution to the fashion landscape. The room was a love fest for Black creatives — a truly unique experience for many Black designers for Fashion Week.
At the dinner, ESSENCE honored nine Black artists and Target’s EVP & Chief External Engagement Officer Laysha Ward awarded Rich Mnisi with the Emerging Designer of the Year Award.
In her powerful speech before announcing Minsi as the 2019 winner, Ward said, “If you have a seat at the table, don’t waste it. And if you don’t know how to use it, ask for help.”
Catch all the fun and excitement from this year’s Best in Black Fashion Awards below.
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ESSENCE Best In Black Fashion: The Highlights
Models show off their Stephen Burrows dresses by Target.
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ESSENCE Best In Black Fashion: The Highlights
Photographer Itaysha Jordan smiles from ear to ear after being named Photographer of the Year.
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ESSENCE Best In Black Fashion: The Highlights
Justine Skye and host of the Best in Black Fashion Awards dinner Bevy Smith were fierce and fabulous at the opening night of ESSENCE Fashion House.
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ESSENCE Best In Black Fashion: The Highlights
CMO at Endeavor, Bozoma Saint John was stunning in red for the opening night of ESSENCE Fashion House.
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ESSENCE Best In Black Fashion: The Highlights
Rich Minsi after proudly accepting the award for Emerging Designer of the Year by EVP & Chief External Engagement Officer at Target, Laysha Ward.
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ESSENCE Best In Black Fashion: The Highlights
EVP & Chief External Engagement Officer at Target, Laysha Ward, posed for a picture with Nigerian visual artist Laolu and Founder and Chair of ESSENCE Ventures Richelieu Dennis at the opening night of ESSENCE Fashion House.
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ESSENCE Best In Black Fashion: The Highlights
Stylist of the Year award recipient Zerina Akers, ESSENCE Chief Creative & Content Office Moana Luu and ESSENCE Best in Black Fashion Icon Award winner Pat Cleveland dance during Jidenna performance.
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ESSENCE Best In Black Fashion: The Highlights
ESSENCE Best in Black Fashion Award nominees Sarah Diouf Tongoro of Tongoro and Omar Salam (Founder & Creative Director of sukeina) were all smiles on the first day of ESSENCE Fashion House.
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ESSENCE Best In Black Fashion: The Highlights
Model and activist Bethanne Hardison awards Pat Cleveland with the ESSENCE Best in Black Fashion Icon Award at the opening night of the ESSENCE Fashion House.
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ESSENCE Best In Black Fashion: The Highlights
Celebrity fashion stylist Zerina Akers poses with her Stylist of the Year award.
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ESSENCE Best In Black Fashion: The Highlights
Nigerian visual artist Laolu posed on the red carpet with Caroline Wanga, Chief Culture, Diversity & Inclusion Officer, Vice President Human Resources and Founder & Chair of ESSENCE Ventures Richelieu Dennis.
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ESSENCE Best In Black Fashion: The Highlights
Justine Skye posed pretty at the Stephens Burrows exhibit at the ESSENCE Fashion House in New York.
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ESSENCE Best In Black Fashion: The Highlights
ESSENCE Fashion House models with face paint from Nigerian artist Laolu at the opening night of ESSENCE Fashion House in New York.
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ESSENCE Best In Black Fashion: The Highlights
Caroline Wanga, Chief Culture, Diversity & Inclusion Officer, Vice President Human Resources smiles alongside Bevy Smith (Bevelations), ESSENCE Chief of Creative and Content Moana Luu, Target’s EVP and Chief External Engagement Officer Laysha Ward and Founder & Chair of ESSENCE Ventures Richelieu Dennis.
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ESSENCE Best In Black Fashion: The Highlights
Naturi Naughton posed pretty on the red carpet at the opening night of ESSENCE Fashion House in New York.
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ESSENCE Best In Black Fashion: The Highlights
Pat Cleveland proudly posed with her ESSENCE Icon Award on the red carpet at the ESSENCE Fashion House.
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ESSENCE Best In Black Fashion: The Highlights
Jidenna rocked the crowd at the opening night of the ESSENCE Fashion House in New York.
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ESSENCE Best In Black Fashion: The Highlights
Anthony Hamilton was all smiles on the red carpet at the opening night of ESSENCE Fashion House.
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ESSENCE Best In Black Fashion: The Highlights
ESSENCE Global Beauty Director Julee Wilson greets the audience at the opening dinner of the ESSENCE Fashion House in New York.
