The Mixtape: The Afterparty After the Afterparty

by Jamisha R.

Last season influencers, media gurus, professionals, designers, artists, and creatives from all over were getting ready to attend the Afterparty. The event was a strategically curated and exclusive event that gave everyone who attended a wholesome New York Fashion Week experience. It is no surprise that the fashion industry is one that has closed its doors and overlooked many people of color. Jodi-Ann Scott and Sarai Thompson acknowledge this issue and decided to take matters into their own hands to create a safe place for Black people in fashion. Jodi-Ann, who is the founder of Curated by Jodi, and Sarai, who is the founder of Luxe & Chic Company, teamed up together to curate what we would grow to know as The Afterparty. "Together, we created a welcoming and secure environment where like-minded individuals could come together, exchange good vibes, and forge meaningful connections. As we move forward, we are excited to see what incredible things our community will achieve, and we cannot wait to continue this journey with you," said Jodi last season.

Photos from The Afterparty by Jamisha R.

This time around everyone was getting ready to attend The Mixtape brought by Luxe and Chic Co. and RNIII Studio & Designs in the spirit of this season's New York Fashion Week. It was no surprise to see so many familiar faces at the event from The Afterparty.

The MixTape had a unique itinerary that included sections titled "Intro," "Reminisce," "Put That $#!% On", "So Loud I Can See It," and "Outro". The event, hosted in Harlem, allowed an open discussion panel, that was led by Osei White, a multifaceted individual whose passions include traveling, artistry, and acting. The discussion featured fashion archivist/historian Armani Bijon, celebrity stylist Gloria Johnson, and editor Kemet High.

Continuing with the theme of "What It Means To Be Black In Fashion," panelists touched on breaking through the industry, creativity, the impact Black people have in fashion, mental health, and more. When commenting on the topic of mental health Gloria Johnson emphasized the importance and explained, "Being a creative, sometimes we get lost because we're creating, we're creating, we're creating...We're putting so much of ourselves into our art, we forget about ourselves sometimes, so I would say work on your mental health...Find out what your purpose is you have to know it. No one can give it to you...". She ended the discussion by reassuring everyone that they would be fine. This is something we feel everyone should take away- once you prioritize mental health and are able to find a healthy balance the opportunities are endless.