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Fashion Icons Honored, Designers Excel at Front Row Fashion Show
Music Mogul Commences on New Journey in Influencing Young America
By KELLEE UNDERWOOD
This year’s Front Row Fashion Show was again the premiere venue for where fashion meets education.
Held annually as part of the Thurgood Marshall College Fund’s anniversary weekend, the Front Row Fashion Show has featured a diverse roster of artists, including several fashion houses and contemporary designers. Leaders in fashion and beauty are also recognized at the event, which this year was held at the Roseland Ballroom in New York.
This year’s Fashion Icon honorees included supermodel Naomi Campbell, Dr. Joyce Brown, President of the Fashion Institute of Technology, Sam Finel, celebrity make-up artist, and Andre Walker, celebrity hair stylist. Michael Jackson was posthumously awarded the Avant Garde Award, which was accepted by his brother Marlon Jackson.
Comedian/television personality Sherri Shepherd from ABC’s The View and Lifetime’s Sherri, hosted the event, drawing laughs from the audience throughout the evening. There was also a tribute to Michael Jackson and Naomi Sims, the first black supermodel, which was led by violin duo Nuttin But Stringz.
However, the visual headlines of the night belonged to the fashion show.
Puerto Rico-born designer Ana Segura Intimates displayed soft delicate hand painted silks, with neutral and antique tones that exaggerated her kimono style sleeved gowns that layered over liquid smooth bodysuits.
DeanZign, a line by celebrity designer Angela Dean, featured slinky jersey draped models in saturated pinks, reds and orange tones.
Byron Lars, the man behind the Beauty Mark line, featured vintage hunting inspired clothing, which included wool hats, tweeds blazers and rustic colors that impressed the male attendees.
Spectators watched in amazement as Montgomery Harris, the owner and lead designer for Montgomery Boutique in Harlem, displayed a strong sense of style and culture. Her designs provoked her models to walk strong in warm earth tone colors and African patterns, while adorned with regal headdress and accessories.
Russell Simmons Argyle Culture, the music mogul’s urban menswear line, used bi-color argyle patterns, pastels and crisp whites for its Spring 2010 collection.
The models seemed to glide down the runway in beautiful ball and princess silhouetted gowns made of silks and tulle by bridal and evening gown designer Amsale.
Kai Milla, designer and wife of music legend Stevie Wonder, created sultry and exotica vibes with her off-the shoulder style lines, and with fur and feather details.
Now in its 22nd year, the Thurgood Marshall College Fund has awarded more than $100 million in leadership, support, and scholarships to over 12,500 students attend public Historically Black Colleges and Universities. 
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