IVAN BART, President IMG Models and IMG Fashion Properties and BRANDICE N.DANIEL, CEO/Founder Harlem’s Fashion Row, hosted “Next Of Kin” a gala celebration for Costume Designer RUTH E.CARTER, whose work was just nominated for an Oscar Award, for Excellence in Costume Design for the movie “Black Panther.” The event served as a kick-off for New York’s Fashion Week, at Gallery 2, Spring Studios, downtown Manhattan.
A RETROSPECTIVE
The celebration was highlighted by a curated installation of Ruth Carter‘s iconic work reimagined in collaboration with IBRAHIMA KAMARA. Ms. Carter has worked on several movies, including all of Spike Lee’s movies where she said she got her start as a costume designer. Upon entering the vast Gallery 2 Space, the centerpiece of the installation was the iconic yellow suit and the gold platform shoes, featuring `fishbowl’ platform heels, worn by actor Antonio Fargas, in the movie `I’m Gonna Get You Sucka’ (1988). Across the way, a live model posed in the black velvet dress and matching hat, all festooned with large crystal stones. This was worn by the late singer Phylis Hyman when she appeared in the movie `School Daze’ (1988). On the same pedestal, more of Ruth’s costumes: a gold fringed mini dress seen on Tina Turner (Angela Bassett) in `What’s Love Got To Do With It’ (1993) and the gold mini dress from the movie `Sparkle’ (2012).
HISTORIC MOVIE COSTUMES
On display was the traditional Muslim long sleeve white dress as seen on Betty Shabazz (played by Angela Bassett) from the movie `Malcolm X’ (1992); the red dress worn on actress Rosie Perez in `Do The Right Thing’ (1989) and the yellow pinstripe suit worn by Coretta Scott-King (on actress Carmen Ejogo) in the movie `Selma’ (2014). Denzel Washington’s black suit as seen in `Malcolm X’ (1992), as well as outfits from `Black Panther’ (2018), `Baby Boy’ (2001) and `Roots’ (2014).
GUESTS
Among the VIP guests spotted in attendance were; designers VICTOR GLEMAUD, STAN HERMAN and JEFFREY BANKS, FERN MALIS, AUDREY SMALTZ, BOZOMA SAINT JOHN, CATRIONA GRAY (MISS UNIVERSE 2019), MIKKI TAYLOR, TERI AGINS, EDRIS NICHOLS, MICHELA ANGELA DAVIS, JULIE WILSON, ODELL BECKHAM Jr., DR. ROSE EGLINGTON, CONSTANCE C.R.WHITE and MOANA LUU,
