☞ SEE: Harlem's Fashion Row Spring 2011

Harlem's Fashion Row previously had shown off-season but this past Friday night's presentation coincided with the end of Fashion Week for Spring 2011. The main event was at the Studio Museum in Harlem with designs shown as art installations alongside the current exhibits on display. A gauntlet of dapper, white-gloved doormen (wearing the highest men's calf-length boots one has ever encountered) ushered in guests who sipped wine and listened to music performed by an elegant young woman with a golden harp before the doors finally opened an hour later.

First to show, alongside the Zwelethu Mthethwa photographs, was the Sammy B. collection which strutted high-heeled models along a make-shift urban street scape with acoustic provided by a rhythmic brigade of bucket drummers. The mainly white collection, with a capsule black group, displayed a deft use of custom crafted technique's such as fabric braided to look like rope as an ornate bathing suit applique, hand-distressed paillettes on the white sequined leggings or the sculptural, ruffled shoulder detail in a white bolera (5th photo down). We were quite impressed with the models who strutted back and forth tirelessly for a full hour and only took momentary pauses to strike a pose for photographers.

While the live runway show was in full motion on the main floor, the upper galleries and the lower basement space had a concise collection of evening gowns along with one sporty pastel-hued men's collection. Formal fabrics in silk organza and satin were mainly at play but color and length separated the mood of the two evening collections. Viscera presented a line of vibrant bright evening pieces but the classic formal looks were cut short for a more contemporary direction (2nd from last photo). The other collection on the top floor consisted of Niiamar's debut of floor-length, red carpet evening gowns in black, champagne and a dramatic hit of fuschia. Finally, the last collection shown was Telfar's active inspired menswear which had a casual display downstairs where the guys literally lounged on the podium and floor in abbreviated silhouettes dominated with pale washes of color.

Harlem's Fashion Row showcases the works of minority designers and helps launch new talent into the spotlight. The shows have been at various Harlem venues in the past such as last year's Gatehouse Theater presentation: LINK. For more information on the organization, check out Harlem's Fashion Row's main site: www.HarlemsFashionRow.com. Out-takes, which include a shot of the menswear, are now up on the Harlem Bespoke Facebook site: LINK