05. HIV Unwrapped & NUPES: Runway 7 Delivers High Concept Fashion and Cultural Moments| Take
I flew into New York that morning, went to B&H Photo to pick up film, and headed straight to Sony Hall for the Runway 7 fashion show. Needless to say, I was late. The show was in full swing by the time I made it downstairs. The media pit was packed, and the spectators were already recording the show with their cameras. Two specific segments really moved me and made me so grateful I was able to attend: the NUPE collection and the HIV Unwrapped collection. As a Black gay woman with Black gay friends, these were the most impactful moments of the event.
First was the NUPE collection. I never thought I would see the Divine Nine on the runway, let alone capture it and write about it. The designs were all in the signature Kappa Alpha Psi colors, and the coolest part was that every model was an actual member of the fraternity. There is something so empowering about seeing decades of brotherhood reach a stage where, when the organization was first formed, they wouldn’t have been welcome. Seeing a group of handsome, educated Black men bring their organization to such a prominent platform in a tasteful, creative way was truly inspiring, and I hope they get the recognition they deserve. If you would like to check them out, visit nvalley1911.com.
The HIV Unwrapped collection brought something innovative to the stage by pairing designers with research scientists, resulting in some of the best looks and models I have ever seen. It opened with a powerful speech about how far HIV research has come and how current political and social climates threaten to set that progress back. It is mind-boggling that in certain places, someone living with HIV or AIDS can be registered as a sex offender when actual violent offenders avoid that charge. It shows just how far people will go to demonize a community based on who they love. Newsflash: HIV and AIDS are not isolated to a single community; they affect people worldwide and have for decades. End of rant! Ultimately, it was a deeply moving part of the show, and the models were stunning. The photos speak for themselves he way the fabrics caught the light and complemented their skin was breathtaking. If you want to learn more about the campaign, check out hivunwrapped.com.
Although my time in New York was brief, it is an experience I will be talking about for weeks to come. I didn’t just get to experience New York Fashion Week in all its glory; I also learned a lot about myself. I gained confidence and saw firsthand that there are brilliant, creative minds out there using fashion to provoke thought and drive change. Runway 7 did an incredible job of blending purpose, heritage, and style into an unforgettable event.
End of Take 05. Photos by ROSE.
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