Invisible Walls

Each hairstylist worked with a virtuoso team including wardrobe stylists Patti Wilson, Gabriella Karefa-Johnson, Carlos Nazario, Jessica Willis, and Jan-Michael Quammie. “I’m so excited” beamed Patti outside of her fitting suite, “I think it’s the most incredible idea ever. We need it in New York, we need [this] kind of spirit; we need this kind of real. I’ve never seen such incredible hair, it’s so great.” Models for the show included industry stars Anok Yai, Alton Mason, Aweng Chuol, Julez Smith and Jordan Daniels. “Hair is SO important. It gives weight and personality. The hair says a lot. You can change it, you can make it something big, something small.” mused model Arlenis Sosa, “To be here collaborating together is iconic and so beautiful - to merge as artists. A lot of people talk about competition - no - this is an opportunity. Not only for us but for viewers who get to see it and enjoy it. We get to work together.” Julez gave his take on the occasion as well; “Black hair is the best hair. [Our hair] is a statement of emotions and how we feel about ourselves, and how we take care of ourselves. It’s us! I’m truly honored and blessed to be a part of tonight, shout out Jawara! That’s family. We’re here”

The spirit of creative camaraderie was reinforced by manicurist Dawn Sterling; “Jawara’s been a friend of mine for over fifteen years. We worked in the shops together, started in this business together, and I’m just so happy to show the world the things we do in our house! [Laughs] Like this is how it is. This is what we do, this is home. I just want the girls to love themselves because we are the standard of excellence. We are the blueprint. We’re the blueprint girls!”

As the shimmering night sky took over the skyline and anticipation buzzed the room, bold names and leaders from across the fashion industry gathered on WSA’s 46th floor for the show to begin. Emceeing the night was actor and runway legend Tracee Ellis Ross, who kept the audience in the spirit of family as she introduced each hairstylist presentation. “[We’re here] to continue the legacy. These are my friends and creatives who I admire, love, work with and know. I’m excited to see their work in this capacity, in this environment, and on this kind of stage in a room of peers.” said Tracee while also giving shouts out to the evening’s makeup artists Sir John and Sheika Daly. Each section of the show delivered the hairstylists’ unique vision and featured directions ranging from more contemporary catwalks to ‘old-way’, ballroom-inspired movement. The audience was enraptured throughout the showcase with luminaries including Solange, Paloma Elsesser, Justine Skye, Ian Isiah, Raisa Flowers, IB Kamara, Peyton Dixon, Clifford Prince King and Raul Lopez giving their full attention to the stage. Following the final look, Echelon Noir cofounders Wauchope and Jarrod Lacks briefly stepped up to close out the show to a standing ovation. “Black hair talents that are out in the world and coming up; please know that the talent you have is super important, it’s super amazing. Don’t let anyone say to you otherwise. I can’t wait to see more of us in this industry.” said Wauchope as we caught the elevator back to the 26th floor following the show. Stepping off the elevator into the post-show flurry, office took a moment to debrief with the hairstylists now that their visions were manifest:

“[This evening] was very stressful, very fun,and very liberating.” said a glowing Malcom Marquez. “I’m happy I got to tell my story, and tell my truth about who I am and where I’m from on such a large platform. Be yourself, break all the rules - there are none, tell your story, and don’t fit in. Don’t try to fit in, be yourself. The world craves individuality. That’s what’ll get you places.”

Taking a moment to reflect on the show and her overall practice, Cyndia Harvey said “When I work with hair I’m never really trying to get the most cosmetically pretty thing. I like playing around with material, with illusion. You can shift and bend hair into what you want to make it. My favorite part of creating looks is the engineering of the whole look. Creating that illusion. Using unconventional techniques, unconventional products. I see them as art pieces, as sculptures; I don’t see them as hairstyles. That’s where I take a lot of pleasure with my work.” “Make every day of your life an adventure and learning. You’ll be on your way to creating from a place of truth, a place of experience, and a place of fun. When you’re having fun doing it all you’re gonna create great work.”

“I have a message for people,” said Vernon François. “It's not about whether you’re up-and-coming or whether you’re seasoned and have lost your way or lost your passion. The reality is, if you have a pulse then you have the opportunity and you have the responsibility to stand for something. It’s okay to be okay. I’ve learned to go where I’m loved and not tolerated - it’s been one of the most profound things for the sense of self. What you were able to witness today was the best version of myself.”

Yusef Williams gave a shout out to his family and Floridian roots while summing up the evening perfectly; “Tonight my aesthetic was paying homage to all the beautiful Black women I grew up with. My mom, my aunts, girls in my neighborhood, the hustler girls, the bad bitches from Miami. I’m from Miami so I have that Caribbean,Latin, Southern spice in me. Those are all the women I know so I wanted to present powerful, polished women that represented all the eras, movements, and struggles that I know. That’s what I did! The story never changes. You own your space, you take up space, you fight for your seat at the table. You never give up. Tonight was one of those nights where we were able to display that we belong here, and it’s necessary. People should always see us kicking ass because we’re the architects of beauty, fashion, lightbulbs, buildings, trains, planes, automobiles. The traffic light! That’s just who we are. Black is power, Black is magic. Tonight was just like ‘You can’t deny us’. All of the hair stylists, all of the makeup artists, people who did nails, fashion, my team. This was amazing. I feel so full and honored. Here we are!”