Laura Smalls, an African-American fashion designer whose dresses have been seen in Vogue, New York Magazine, and on the likes of First Lady Michelle Obama, closed out NY Fashion Week in true panache. Her spring/summer 2012 presentation entitled ‘Legacy,’ captured my affection as one of my favorite shows of the week.

Set in the penthouse suite of the Centurion Residence on W. 56^th St., the emerging NY-based designer showed a beautiful collection of 26 meticulously crafted looks that were alluring, smart, even whimsical at times. There was the oriental floral print organza dress fit for an elegant night out, the form-fitting coral asymmetrical dress with a print back, and the head-turning emerald green, hip-hugging Dorothy Dandridge trumpet style gown with a rose flounced bottom. Guests of the show were the crème de la crème of the fashion and entertainment industries including Andre Leon Talley, contributing editor at Vogue, supermodel Chanel Iman, Bethann Hardison, the editor-at-large of Vogue Italia, magazine publisher Jocelyn Taylor, opera singer Kathleen Battle, philanthropist Grace Hightower De Niro, and musical icon Valerie Simpson, of Ashford & Simpson.

As the show progressed, I became more and more impressed. In addition to the more upscale evening wear options, there were sexy jersey dresses (one in a gunmetal color with shoulder cut-outs), jumpsuits, flattering summer dresses, and a show stopping peony pink shift dress with cap sleeves. Almost every look was moving and resonated with the aesthetic of a modern, sophisticated woman which Smalls executes flawlessly.

The designer also took the opportunity to pay tribute to the late Nick Ashford, a singer-songwriter, who was a dear friend of hers. As Smalls emerged to close out the show, her famous friends and colleagues were there to congratulate her. For more information on Laura Smalls’ collection, visit www.LauraSmalls.com.

For more fashion musings, check out my blog Disciples of Haute.
– Sharifa Crawford

While millions of people celebrated Barack Obama’s Presidential Inauguration in Chocolate City, some New Yorkers kept it local and did their own thing. Pepsi hosted a Black Tie Blue Jeans Downtown Inaugural Ball at La Esquina, Serge Becker’s Mexican underground eatery. In Big Apple style Maxwell, Universal/Motown’s Sylvia Rhone, Artist Francesco Clemente, fashion advocate Bethann Hardison, Sean John’s Dao-Yi Chow, DJ Victor Calderone and many other taste makers basked in the glow of this historical moment. The menu: Delicious Mexican food, Don Julio Tequila, Pepsi floats (yes, the yummy mix of vanilla ice cream and soda) and hip hop beats by DJ Reach. What more could you ask for when celebrating one of the most important days in our lives? Caption: Happy Obama Day!

Check out my snapshots of the evening.

DJ Beverly Bond created Black Girls Rock! to support, educate and empower young women. This year was the Third Annual Black Girls Rocks! Awards “celebrating the accomplishments of exceptional women of color who have made outstanding contributions in their careers and who stand as inspirational and positive role models in the community.”

Check out the super women of the night. Regina King hosted the evening that honored Estelle, Rachel Llyod, June Ambrose, DJ Cocoa Chanelle, Bethann Hardison, Keyshia Cole, Nicole Paultre-Bell and Valerie Bell, Erykah Badu, April Holmes, Iman and Pam Grier. If that is not enough of a power list, Susan Taylor delivered an inspirational message about African American empowerment. Universal/Motown honcho Sylvia Rhone, Veronica Webb, Tracey Reese, Kevin Powell and Melvin Van Peeples were just a few of the evenings presenters. And Bilal, Saui, Sarah Jones (fresh from the New York City Marathon) and Faith Evans all performed. Needless to say it was a special evening.