The National Black Arts Festival (NBAF), a non-profit organization dedicated to the celebration of the arts and culture of the African Diaspora, and Neiman Marcus, premiere retailer of high-end luxury merchandise, recently hosted the prestigious Fine Art + Fashion (FA+F) benefit event on Thursday, March 20, 2014, at 6:00 p.m. at Neiman Marcus in Lenox Square and BCG was there! For the fourth year in a row Neiman Marcus has served as the Title Sponsor of Fine Art + Fashion alongside 2014 Honorary Chairs Billye and Henry “Hank” Aaron and Event Co-Chairs Brooke Edmond and Jack Sawyer.
Guests were privy to experience the Art of Fashion, a runway show experience produced by Neiman Marcus’ fashion director, Ken Downing, one of the most talked about fashion directors in the world.
This year, Fine Art + Fashion continued to recognize extraordinary artists who have a positive impact on global fashion, as well as a strong connection to the arts and culture of the African Diaspora. This year’s honorees included: jewelry designer extraordinaire, Victor Velyan (Fashion Icon Honoree), acclaimed art photographer and one of the nation’s leading historians of African American photography, Deborah Willis (Visual Artist Honoree) and Atlanta-based fine arts photographer Sheila Pree Bright (Visual Artist Honoree). Past honorees include CD Greene, Iman, Radcliffe Bailey and Danny Simmons.
Additionally, student designers Danielle Gordon of Clark Atlanta University, Kendra Pickney and Jessica Fulks both of Savannah College of Art + Design, were recognized as the 2014 NBAF Emerging Talent Awards honorees. Established in 2010, this award recognizes individuals of African descent who have distinguished themselves as cutting edge and innovative fashion design students. Honorees receive a cash honorarium; special recognition at Fine Art + Fashion; and an exhibit of their winning designs, curated by Neiman Marcus in the Peachtree store windows. The 2014 NBAF Emerging Talent Award honorariums are made possible through the generosity of PNC.
Check out our video recap with BCG intern-reporter, Lauren Martinez now to learn more about NBAF visit nbaf.org.
