The 10th Annual Emerge! A Fashion Runway Show took place on Tuesday, February 16th. Not letting COVID get in the way of this momentous occasion, this year’s event was held virtually and hosted by Fashion Bomb Daily’s Claire Sulmers, with special guest presentations from former Vogue contributor, Andre’ Leon Talley and creator of New York Fashion Week, Fern Mallis.
This year’s theme, “A Decade of Diversity on the Runway”, was sponsored by Ambi Skincare, ORS Haircare, Port Authority NY NJ, Lamik Cosmetics, and GFN TV, and featured designs from both the U.S. and Africa, including Terri Stevens of funkinbeautiful Designs (Chicago), Scalo Designs (Johannesburg, South Africa), Jesu’ Segun London, Orla Couture (Lagos, Nigeria), and Haus of L.A. (Chicago and Los Angeles). Viewers were also treated to a performance by Yanna Cello and watched behind-the-scenes clips and congratulatory remarks from designers Ozwald Boateng and Karl Kani, and model, Pat Cleveland.
One of the highlights of the evening’s festivities was the presentation of the “Fashion Innovator Award” to Image Architect and Chicago’s own, Law Roach, for his contributions to the fashion industry. Presented by Claire Sulmers, Law says of receiving this honor, “I am very humbled and grateful to be considered an innovator in my industry. I work really hard to be able to prove to the world that a creative of color can perform at high levels. I am also grateful that when I meet people on the
street, that follow me and my work, they say that they are inspired. And they understand that they can do it because I’ve done it. And there’s no bigger compliment to me than that.”
When looking back over the last 10 years, Creator and producer of Emerge! A Fashion Runway Show, Dionne Williams said, “I’m super honored that I’ve been able to work with so many talented designers. And I am very grateful, to everyone who’s supported me throughout the years. I’ve always been very humbled when people talk to me about their experience through Emerge! and how it has helped them. And how the people who attend the show get inspiration from it. So I’m super excited about the 10th anniversary.”
She then added, “I’ve never thought about it going this long. I just know that when the seasons come around, we start planning for it, and I make a big impression with it. So I am super astonished that, we’re here and that it’s been 10 years.”
Contributing Writer Racquel Coral is a national lifestyle writer and journalist based in Charlotte, NC. Find her on all social media platforms @withloveracquel.
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