Black Fashion Week shines light on designers in Twin Cities

Minneapolis/St. Paul was the site of Black Fashion Week, the first such event with a focus on Black fashion and beauty. It starts today with an intent of exposing to Black designers and stylists who are overlooked in a world that features mostly white designers. According to MPR News, Jacqueline Amissah Addison is one of those who could soon be in the national spotlight. She is one of the opening designers who has grown quite a following in Minneapolis. “I feel like if you’re a designer and you’re Black, you have to work twice as hard to get noticed,” she said. Natalie Morrow, who created the Twin Cities Black Film Festival, also created the Black Fashion Week MN. She said Fashion Night was so popular during the film festival, it was a wise move to devote an entire week to Black fashion. “There is so much talent here,” she said. “This fashion week will really give a platform for others in the whole Twin Cities to see these people. They’re here. If you need something, here are some of the people you can go to.” Events include fashion shows, jewelry exhibits and hairstyling. The concluding event is called the Rasta Wear Fashion Affair and showcases Afrocentric designs. Morrow says opening night is already nearly sold out.