Fro Fashion Week – Part 3: The Show and Tell

Well Divas, We are officially at the final installment of my three part series recapping Fro Fashion Week; which I call “The Fro, The Penthouse Party, and The Hotel.” I’ve decided to make an adjustment in the title for today’s post. Originally I was gonna call it “The Hotel”, but I’ve decided to shake things up a bit and change the name to “The Show and Tell.” Why change the name you ask…well, there’ no justifiable reason for the edit, except I just like the new one a little better, so please don’t judge me…ok? Moving on… 🙂 In all seriousness, by the time you finish reading this post you will see why I had to make the edit.

In case you missed them, check out:
Part 1: The Fro
Part 2: The Penthouse Party

Ok, we ended the last post with me having survived the Fro Fashion Week Penthouse Party with all of my limbs still attached, no hip fractures, and no emergency room visits. The fab Ms. Kim Coles and I had our epic Soul Train-esque dance off, and all is right with the world for at least one amazing night.

So, as I awake to a new day in my soft and comfortable bed at the fabulous Melia Atlanta Hotel, I realize that I was due for another amazing day of fun, shopping, and fashion. Yes!!! Fro Fashion Week would end with a bang as they capped their weekend celebration of all things natural with a fabulous fashion show. And, I was lucky enough to land a backstage pass and a front row seat to get an up-close look at all the styles. 😀

But before we get to the fashion show, I attended a Thrifting 101 class “Looking Fab on a Budget” hosted by Virtuous Styls and Two Stylish Kays. The ladies informed us of several haute trends in fashion for spring. One of which is color-blocking which consists of bold and bright contrasting colors that complement one another. Pairing adventurous colors together kinda takes me back to the 80’s; which by the way happens to be my fav decade. (Yeah patter clapping) During the thrifting class the ladies also showed us how to stretch our dollars (figuratively speaking)…Go on…and we also learned where the best thrift stores in Atlanta were. But the “pièce de résistance” was when they shared with the audience that the outfits they were wearing cost them a whopping $10. WOW!!! My wallet AND my Hubby would no doubt be thanking me for this gem of information. 😛

Kerrie and Karen also had a clothing rack of stylish vintage clothing for sale and a table full of goodies that were priced at $1.00. Yes, a solid $1.00!!! Do you take check or charge? 😀 The Thrifting 101 class was very informative and I WILL be checking out more thrift shops around Atlanta.

Now I’m headed back stage to catch a behind-the-scenes look of all the fashions and designers. Fro Fashion Week diva extraordinaire, Tarin Boone was also backstage getting her and makeup ready for the show, while celebrity natural stylist April B was working her magic and handling the styling duties for actress/model and fashion show host …  I tell you it was “haute” back there with all those fab pieces by all the designers.

Now, for the moment we’ve all been waiting for…It was time to head off to the Fro Fashion Show. And just like the Pointer Sister’s classic hit, “I was so excited!” This years’ show would be streamed live globally, so the world would now get a peek at how the ladies of Fro Fashion Week put on a show. Baltimore emcee, Mullyman opened the show with a fun freestyle ode the natural woman, who as he proclaimed is “Naturally beautiful; perfect the way you are!” One lucky lady was also pulled from the audience by Mr. Mullyman to handle the back-up dancer duties. It was a very catchy tune and a classic moment!!!

Now, let’s get to the fashion!!!

 

The fashion showcase featured fabulous designs from Michael Emmanuel Couture who featured a men’s fashion line; a first at the Fro Fashion Show, Chris Middleton of NYC showcased her haute swimwear line, Reclaimed Fashion offered their fabulously revamped and deconstructed apparel, and I AM Designs by Toni rocked a plus-size line that was simply amazing!

 

I had a wonderful time at the Fro Fashion Show, and all of the designs were sensational.

Monique Boeo (Kinky Peaches), TMarie of Carisma Designs, Ebony Ife The of Fashionista Next Door, and Adrienne Gadling with Sadiddy Magazine

TMarie of Carisma Designs, Monique Boeo (Kinky Peaches), Melanie Rosemin of Lucan Locks, Jeannell Darden of Coco Curls, Anjennete Edmonds The Regal Fashion, and Nikka Shae

Tarin Boone and Alia Jahnae of Alia Jahnae Boutique

Nikka Shae with TiaLou (If I were a Brit girl)

During the intermission I seized the opportunity to snap more pics, while mixing and mingling with several of my fab friends such as Adrienne Gadling with Sadiddy Magazine, Eboni Ife of The Fashionista Next Door, TMarie with Carisma Designs, Jeannell Dardin of Coco Curls, Monique Boeo (aka Kinky Peaches),  sister’s Anjennete Edmonds of The Regal Fashion, and Melanie Rosemin of Lucan Locks, A’lia Jahnae with A’lia Jahnae Boutique, and TiaLou (If I were a Brit girl). We had a great time, and definitely one to remember. A great “Show” indeed, and an amazing series of events throughout the weekend that were worthy to “Tell” everyone about. Told you it would come together at the end… 😉

 

Tarin Boone is no doubt blazing new trails with Fro Fashion Week, and I look forward to attending their next event in the coming Fall.

Well, this concludes my recap of Fro Fashion Week’s 2012 Spring Edition. I hope you enjoyed my take on it as much as I enjoyed the entire experience, and I hope to see you at the next event.

But, before I sign off I will leave you with this…

The definition of beauty should not be measured by the “length” of one’s hair, but by the “strength and depth” of it’s roots.

 

 

I applaud what Fro Fashion Week represents and how it’s redefining what “true beauty” is and why we should celebrate it in all its essence, and at all cost.

In case you missed them, check out:
Part 1: The Fro
Part 2: The Penthouse Party

Here’s the official Fro Fashion Week video:

 

Check out more pics from the Fro Fashion Show at Fro Fashion Week

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