Harlem's Fashion Row to open New York Fashion Week season with 19th anniversary show

Harlem's Fashion Row (HFR), a New York-based platform dedicated to advancing designers of color, will hold its 19th Annual Fashion Show and Style Awards on September 8 at The Glasshouse in New York, ahead of New York Fashion Week. This year's theme, "Peace by Piece", reflects the organization's nineteen-year history of intentional decisions, partnerships and community-building, according to HFR.

The evening will include the runway debut of three designers' spring/summer 2027 collections, staged through ICON360, HFR's nonprofit arm, as part of the Runway Ahead Designer Fellowship. Launched this year by the PVH Foundation, the philanthropic arm of Calvin Klein and Tommy Hilfiger owner PVH Corp, the fellowship provides grant funding, executive mentorship and business development support, with the designers mentored by PVH executives across marketing and public relations, sourcing, merchandising, finance, production and design.

Three designers debut collections

• Atelier Ndigo, a womenswear label founded by stylist and costume designer Waina Chancy, known for sculptural silhouettes drawing on architecture and the color indigo.
• Rey Jaiteh, a Harlem-rooted luxury menswear and womenswear brand founded by Lamin "Rey" Jaiteh, blending tailoring with handcrafted detailing.
• Chuks Collins, a luxury label founded by Nigerian designer Chuks Collins, combining African heritage with contemporary tailoring.

One of the three will receive the Runway Ahead Prize, a 100,000-dollar grant to accelerate the winning brand's growth. The recipient will be chosen by a committee that includes Calvin Klein vice president of global design Alexandra Gardner, celebrity stylist and creative director June Ambrose, GQ fashion director at large Mobolaji Dawodu, Vanity Fair fashion director Nicole Chapoteau, Tommy Hilfiger North America executive vice president Reena Person, and PVH senior vice president and global head of inclusion, diversity and impact Rohit Burman, alongside Daniel.

Style Awards add a Breakthrough category

Alongside the runway show, HFR's annual Style Awards will recognize the Editor of the Year, Stylist of the Year, Designer of the Year, the Anne Lowe Maverick Award, the Fashion Icon Award and the Virgil Abloh Award presented by LVMH. New for 2026 is the Breakthrough Award, honoring an emerging figure whose creativity and cultural influence are shaping fashion's future.

The show follows HFR's 18th anniversary edition last September, when the inaugural Anne Lowe Maverick Award went to costume designer Ruth Carter and Atelier Ndigo also featured among the showcased collections.

"'Peace by Piece' is a celebration of the people, partnerships and purpose that have shaped Harlem's Fashion Row over the past nineteen years," said Brandice Daniel, founder and chief executive officer of HFR and ICON360. "Through the Runway Ahead Designer Fellowship with the PVH Foundation and the support of our partners, we're continuing to invest in emerging designers, helping transform exceptional talent into thriving, sustainable businesses," she added.

Pattern Beauty joins the event as official hair and body sponsor, while Dior returns as official makeup sponsor. Founded in 2007 by Daniel, HFR describes itself as a platform dedicated to discovering, supporting and showcasing multicultural designers through runway shows, educational initiatives and strategic partnerships with brands and retailers.

*This article was written with the assistance of AI.*hip-specific slot, since the release doesn't address the overlap.