Fashion college probes runway show criticized as racist

Fashion college probes runway show criticized as racist - WTOP

Fashion college probes runway show criticized as racist - WTOP
This Cool Color Trend Is Taking Over Fashion Month - Refinery29
By Her Own Design: A Bullied Teen Turned Fashion Designer - Spectrum News NY1
A Chef Who Brings Fashion to the Kitchen - The New York Times

Fashion college probes runway show criticized as racist - WTOP

Posted: 22 Feb 2020 08:40 AM PST

NEW YORK (AP) — The Fashion Institute of Technology has commissioned an investigation into a controversial runway show that reminded some observers of blackface.

The college apologized for the accessories donned at the show, which was heavily criticized on social media. The accessories included large prosthetic ears and oversize plastic red lips, but the college said Friday they were not "aimed at invoking or provoking racial implications."

"This moment, in our minds, is not about closing a chapter and letting wounds heal. It is the beginning of accountability. And we cannot expect our community to trust us without a full examination of how this came about," FIT President Joyce Brown said in a statement.

The investigation will examine "what led up to" the Feb. 7 event, which coincided with New York Fashion Week.

Model Amy Lefévre, 25, who is black, refused to wear the exaggerated lips and ultimately walked the runway without them.

"I stood there almost ready to break down, telling the staff that I felt incredibly uncomfortable with having to wear these pieces and that they were clearly racist," she told the New York Post. "I have never felt like that in my life."

Brown said the college's dean of the School of Graduate Studies and chair of the MFA Fashion Design Department were placed on administrative leave pending the investigation.

This Cool Color Trend Is Taking Over Fashion Month - Refinery29

Posted: 22 Feb 2020 04:17 PM PST

We've spotted the shade in all of its forms, from Gumby to Gamora and from Poison Ivy to Peter Pan. Is this green wave representative of the industry's shifting focus on sustainability and climate change? Maybe. Is it a nod to last season's major Jennifer Lopez moment inthat leafy Versace number (you know the one)? Possibly. Even if green is not among the favored hues in your own wardrobe, the streets of Milan prove that its styling potential is endless. From pops of neon to the delicious chartreuse you'd find inside a Viennese pastry, there's a green for everyone — you just need to figure out which one suits your personal style. So now that we've established that wearing your greens is basically as important as eating them, click through our gradient of photo inspiration designed to help you find and shop your perfect shade.

By Her Own Design: A Bullied Teen Turned Fashion Designer - Spectrum News NY1

Posted: 22 Feb 2020 11:48 AM PST

Egypt 'Ify' Ufele is used to turning difficult situations into opportunities.

The 14-year-old fashion designer created her own company, 'Chubbiline,' four years ago to help her deal with being bullied. She used her sewing machine as a way to cope.

"I was constantly degraded, but if you look good, you feel good. It boosts your self-esteem," said Fashion Designer Egypt 'Ify' Ufele.

When we first introduced you to Egypt, her story of overcoming adversity and finding success as a designer during New York Fashion Week quickly went viral.

Four years later, she's making her mark on the runway and in the classroom. She makes about 60 gowns a year, selling them for an average of $1,000 each. And many of the girls who used to tease and bully Egypt for her size, work for her at fashion shows.

"I don't like holding grudges, it takes too much energy," said Ufele.

"You really are a trailblazer, do you feel like that?" Shannan asked.

"I just feel like Egypt, basically," Ufele answered.

She's not only making a statement with her fashions, she's also visiting schools to talk about bullying. Even speaking in Nigeria, where many of her fashion influences come from. Egypt's mom Dr. Reba Perry says traveling while remaining a full-time student can be exhausting, but it's well worth it.

"One little girl said, 'why are you coming here for me? I'm nobody.' And Egypt said, 'you are somebody. You are me.' And she hugged her. And that was the beginning of Egypt's journey in understanding why her mission is so important."

It's a mission she carries out both in person and on paper. Last summer, the teen self-published a book called "Egypt Ufele: Life By My Own Design."

Egypt is also featured in an anti-bullying music video, which will be used as a learning tool during school visits.

"The only person stopping you is you. If you feel like, 'oh I don't know.' No, you can," said Ufele.

And it's that can-do attitude that's helped Egypt shut down bullies and at just 14, become the boss.

The young activist believes if she can overcome the darkest days of her life, anyone can.

A Chef Who Brings Fashion to the Kitchen - The New York Times

Posted: 21 Feb 2020 02:00 AM PST

Name: Roze Traore

Age: 28

Hometown: Born in Washington, D.C., and raised in Seattle.

Now Lives: In a one-bedroom apartment on the Upper West Side.

Claim to Fame: Mr. Traore is a private chef and occasional model who is about to open his first pop-up restaurant in Manhattan. In addition to stints at the restaurant in the NoMad Hotel and Eleven Madison Park, he has walked in fashion shows for Greg Lauren and Rochambeau, and appeared in advertising campaigns for Nike and Molton Brown since he started modeling several years ago.

"I didn't plan on giving the cooking up at all, but I was very intrigued with the fashion world," Mr. Traore said, adding that he has followed clothing trends since he was a teenager.

Big Break: An avid cook from a young age, he graduated from Le Cordon Bleu College of Culinary Arts in Portland, Ore., in 2011 and worked in several kitchens before ending up in New York City. One morning he Googled, "What is the best restaurant in New York City?" and, a few hours later, walked into the NoMad.

Within a few days, he was invited back for a stage — the culinary world's term for what is essentially an audition in kitchen. He was hired, much to his delight. He was a line chef for a year, before moving to a similar position at Eleven Madison Park, where the kitchen was overseen by the same chef, Daniel Humm.

Latest Project: Shortly before landing the NoMad job, Mr. Traore started a catering company that he continued running on his days off, serving private dinners for clients including Soho House, Twitter and the designer Rick Owens.

A few months ago, Mr. Traore left Eleven Madison Park to focus on his growing business, though he remains on good terms with Mr. Humm. "Having support from someone like him, that totally understands when someone else needs to spread their wings and is on a constant drive, is something I appreciate," Mr. Traore said.

Next Big Thing: In May Mr. Traore will take over the kitchen at Chefs Club New York, a rotating restaurant space in NoLIta. The menu will feature his versions of several childhood favorites, like fried plantains and braised fish, which his father, a fisherman from the Ivory Coast, would prepare. "The type of cuisine doesn't really have its own name, but it's introducing different cultures," he said.

Cooking With Style: Although he rarely models these days, Mr. Traore's love of fashion remains. He often cooks in designer separates, instead of in standard chef's attire. "It's simply expressing myself," he said. "The way that you dress is the same as the way that you're able to express yourself through your dishes."