A celebration of the best and brightest creators of color within the fashion space, ESSENCE’s inaugural Best in Black Fashion Awards shines a light on top designers, stylists, photographers, models and insiders who made an impact in 2019. The star-studded roster of honorees and nominees will gather at pre-NY Fashion Week dinner tonight.
Meet Our Change Agent Of The Year Nominees Liya Kebede, Kerby-Jean Raymond, and Tracy Reese.
Liya Kebede’s sustainable label partnered with Moncler Genius to pay an artful homage to the Ethiopian artisans that she supports. LemLem, which is the model’s company, has been working with African artists since its inception in 2007. Kebede’s explained that by employing traditional weavers, her team is trying to break their cycle of poverty while preserving the art.
Tracey Reese is a designer whose aesthetic lies within signature pieces carefully crafted for the modern woman. Reese is committed to bringing out the beauty in women of all shapes, sizes and colors. She has returned with an eco-friendly capsule collection, Hope for Flowers that includes sustainable fabrics from Flint, Michigan. The 11-piece range features a variety of vibrant shades and party-ready florals and butterfly prints.
Kerby Jean-Raymond is a Haitian fashion designer and the founder of Pyer Moss. He first came into the spotlight for his presentation of Pyer Moss’ Spring 2016 Menswear Collection during New York Fashion Week. Jean-Raymond has had the pleasure of teaming up with screenwriter and producer, Lena Waithe and designer, Johnny Nelson to create some iconic Met Gala looks with a message of inclusion. His drive and determination has also helped him land a spot on the Forbes 30 under 30 list in 2015.