On Feb. 16, 2021, the leading emerging designer runway show established to be a catalyst and provide a platform for designers will celebrate its 10th anniversary during New York Fashion Week (NYFW) with a virtual fashion event. The show, “A Decade of Diversity on the Runway,” will feature top emerging designers from the United States and Africa. The virtual event will stream on GFNTV.com and on www.emergerunwaynyc.com at 6 p.m. CST/7 p.m. EST. GFNTV is a premier online video network, which also streams live on various platforms including ROKU and Apple TV.
The virtual fashion event will be hosted by Claire Sulmers of Fashion Bomb Daily, with special guest presenters André Leon Talley (former Vogue contributor) and Fern Mallis (creator of New York Fashion Week). The virtual event also will feature congratulatory remarks from fashion and style notables, a performance by Yanna Cello, a look back at the 10-year history of Emerge!, special clips from Emerge! Design Talk featuring London-based designer Ozwald Boateng, urban streetwear designer Karl Kani and iconic model Pat Cleveland.
Each season, EMERGE! presents the coveted Fashion Innovator Award, an honor to those who have received the award in the past recognizing them for their impact in fashion. Past honorees have included Audrey Smaltz, president of the Ground Crew (presented to her by Harriette Cole); Constance C.R. White, editor-in-chief of Essence Magazine (presented to her by Tracy Reese); André Leon Talley, contributing editor of Vogue (presented to him by Diane von Furstenberg), fashion icon Mikki Taylor (presented to her by Style Expert Philip Bloch), legendary model Patricia Cleveland (presented to her by legendary fashion designer Stephen Burrows) and Fern Mallis (presented to her by Bibu Mohapatra).
This year’s Fashion Innovator Award honoree is celebrity stylist and “image architect” Law Roach. Roach will be recognized for his impact in shaping the global fashion industry.
This season Emerge! will feature a talented list of designers who were selected to unveil their newest collections. Terri Stevens of funkinbeautiful Designs (Chicago), Scalo Designs (Johannesburg), Jésù Ségun London, Orla Couture (Lagos, Nigeria), and Haus of L.A. (Los Angeles, Chicago). The runway will be reimagined and feature the designs in creative vignettes.
“I am so excited about the upcoming anniversary show,” says Dionne Williams, creator and producer of Emerge! Fashion Show. “When I created Emerge 10 years ago, my purpose was to highlight the creativity and art that designers create for the runway. I am always at awe at the talent and gifts that designers bring to light.”
To register for free access to the virtual event, visit www.emergerunwaynyc.com or visit www.GFNTV.com the day of the show.
