Polo Ralph Lauren isn’t the only fashion brand that is tying into the Oak Bluffs community on Martha’s Vineyard this summer. Áwet New York, RAISEfashion, and the DJ Henry Dream Fund will be rolling out the second annual Black-Owned Brands Summer Bazaar on Sunday at the Dragonfly House on the Massachusetts island.
While Polo Ralph Lauren debuted an Oak Bluffs collection with Morehouse and Spelman Colleges last month, the upcoming bazaar will be held in Oak Bluffs. For the first time, the event is being co-presented with RAISEfashion, the New York-based nonprofit that champions equity in the fashion industry, and it will benefit the DJ Henry Dream Fund, an organization that provides financial support for underserved children to participate in community-based programs in sports, the performing arts and summer programs, as well as scholarships.
The DJ Dream Fund was created in memory of Danroy “DJ” Henry Jr. whose life was cut short in New York just shy of his 21st birthday in 2010. His parents, Angella and Danroy Henry, are members of Oak Bluffs’ seasonal community and they own the Dragonfly House, which is of great significance to members of the Black community on Martha’s Vineyard.
Built in 1874, the waterfront property was once owned by John Ritchie, an abolitionist and the diarist for the Massachusetts 54th Regiment in the Civil War. Located at the corner of Canonicus and Seaview avenues in Oak Bluffs, the house later operated as Eastman’s by the Sea, and it was a safe haven for Black travelers during segregation. It was listed in the historic Green Book, the guide that was used by African American travelers to find friendly hotels, restaurants and service stations in New England from the 1930s to the 1960s.
In 2025, the Dragonfly House was officially recognized as the 41st site on the African American Heritage Trail of Martha’s Vineyard. On Sunday, it will be a hub for Black-owned fashion brands.
Last year’s debut event was a grassroots celebration of culture, commerce and community. Like the Polo Ralph Lauren initiative, the Black-Owned Brands Summer Bazaar is part of a growing contingency that is playing up Black-owned luxury brands in spaces that have been traditionally associated with exclusivity.
To strengthen its infrastructure and impact, Áwet New York and RAISEfashion have created a shopping experience that doubles as a platform for connection, mentorship and generational opportunity. The aim is to create “a thriving ecosystem for Black creators,” according to Áwet New York’s founder Áwet Woldegebriel.
RAISEfashion’s founder Felita Harris said, “Our partnership with Áwet New York reflects RAISEfashion’s belief in investing in BIPOC founders, supporting one another’s causes, and creating meaningful ways for the community to give back. This collaboration presents a powerful opportunity to uplift the work of incredible designers, while also driving commerce and supporting the long-term scalability of their businesses. It’s about forging deeper connections with the people behind the brands and building a future grounded in intention, access, and shared progress.”
Shoppers will find designs from Aisling Camps, Áwet New York, DLSH Creations, Gwen Beloti, Harbison Studio, House of Aama, Yeseaet and bySharisse with brands having been selected not just for their creations but their backstories and missions too.