There’s nothing better than visiting your favorite department store to peruse the latest fashions. However, designers of color only make up about 1% of the designs we see on those store’s racks. During this year’s New York Fashion Week (NYFW) Harlem Fashion Row, a social company which sheds light on the contributions from designers of color within the fashion industry partnered with hair care line Design Essentials
to produce the HFR+Design Essentials Style Awards.[Related: NYFW 2016 Spotlight: Daniel Silverstain]
The Style Awards gave exclusive backstage access to see top celebrity hairstylists in the fashion industry prep models to hit the runway. The hairstylists not only elaborately coiffed each model’s hair, they also educated viewers on upcoming trends and products to achieve the hottest looks. However, this behind-the-scenes opportunity did more than showcase emerging styles and alert the press and department
store buyers about new products. The awards show gave designers of color a voice in a multibillion-dollar industry. Some of the most creative and memorable styles (fashion & beauty) have come from people who are underrepresented in the fashion world. The HFR+ Design Essentials Style Awards gave honor to the men and women who have contributed fashion-forward looks for the mega talent that makes the clothes and the models who strut the catwalk in those pieces.Check out the gallery for a backstage look at the 2016 HFR+ Design Essentials Style Awards.