NEW YORK — Harlem’s Fashion Row (HFR) kicked off New York Fashion Week early Tuesday night with its 18th Annual Fashion Show and Style Awards at Cipriani Wall Street.

Sponsored by industry giants like H&M, the evening brought together designers, brands and creatives to spotlight multicultural talent and honor trailblazers helping shape the future of fashion.

Brandice Daniel, CEO and founder of HFR, opened the program with welcoming remarks. She celebrated the designers being honored that evening, playfully waving a Haitian flag in recognition of the three Haitian creatives featured in the show.

Building on the energy in the room, Daniel introduced the theme of the night. “The theme this year is ‘This Is the Table’ — not our table, because that’s too small, and not their table, because we’re done with that,” Daniel said. “This is the table: the one you want to be at, the one where culture is currency and collaboration is the foundation. And the people at this table — in this very room — are shaping fashion, shaping music, shaping film, shaping culture and shaping what’s next for designers of color.”

Following her remarks, the program opened with a performance by the Alvin Ailey American Dance Theater, which brought the audience to its feet with “Wade in the Water,” the African American spiritual dance that has long carried deep cultural and historical resonance.

Celebrity makeup artist Sam Fine stepped onstage to present the evening’s first honor, “Stylist of the Year,” which went to Emmy-winning makeup artist, stylist and author Jason Bolden.

When accepting the award, Bolden reflected on the path that led him there — and the pioneers who came before him.

“Fashion is a powerful tool. It’s how we express ourselves, it’s how we protect ourselves, it’s how we project our dreams into the world. But it’s also more than that…fashion is a reflection of the world we live in, and right now, that reflection is pretty damn complicated. We have a responsibility not just to create beauty, but to confront what’s happening and do the right things.”

He closed with a call to action: “Tonight, I want everyone to make a vow to themselves. When you take the elevator up, don’t just go left and right…send it back down.”

Lola Ogunnaike, who previously worked for news outlets like The New York Times and Time, followed Bolden’s speech, presenting her sister Nikki Ogunnaike with the “Editor of the Year” award for her work as editor in chief of Marie Claire magazine.

“I see this award not as a finish line, but a call to keep going,” Ogunnaike said. “To every young Black and brown person who dreams not just of a seat at the table, but of building their own, this is for you.”

Christiane Pendarvis, co-CEO of Pattern Beauty, was honored with the “Corporate Impact Award,” presented by Mark Breitbard, president and CEO of Gap Brand.

Taking the stage, Pendarvis reflected on her career journey, sharing that she felt like she had “won the beauty lottery” when she landed her first role in the industry cofounding a brand alongside “Girlfriends” actress Tracee Ellis Ross.

“As someone said earlier, this is an industry that has not always loved those who look like us, has not always created products for bodies like mine and has not always wanted women and men who look like us on the covers of high-fashion magazines. And so, to see the transformation happening in this industry…is remarkable. It is inspiring. It is uplifting. And I am beyond grateful for what Brandice, her team and all of you who continue to toil in this industry are making possible,” said Pendarvis.

Linda Dixon presented the inaugural “Ann Lowe Maverick of the Year” award to acclaimed costume designer Ruth Carter. Although Carter could not attend in person, she sent a recorded message honoring the late fashion designer Ann Lowe, crediting her with “shaking the image of American design” and paving the way for generations of creators.

“Ann Lowe’s groundbreaking work gave me a canvas to celebrate our history and imagine our future,” Carter said. “So tonight, I accept this award in her name and in honor of every designer, tailor and creator who stitched beauty into the world, even when the doors were closed.”

Last (but certainly not least) Corey Smith, head of diversity and inclusion for LVMH North America, closed out the evening by presenting the “Virgil Abloh Award” to Grammy-winning artist Usher.

From the moment he stepped onstage, the “Confessions” singer mixed wisdom with humor, offering lines like, “You can’t tell me the sky’s the limit when there are footprints on the moon,” and “The world produces waves. You surf, you drown, you decide.”

He also lightened the mood with a playful nod to his signature tour moment, joking about the viral cherry-feeding segment from his “Past Present Future” concerts: “Corey… sorry if I brought you too much pain at home with the cherries.”

Usher closed his remarks by acknowledging those in the room working to advance equity in fashion. “For everyone here who does the work to support and elevate Black designers, creators and businessmen and women in this industry, I give you your flowers,” he said. “I say thank you…and I think they deserve an applause.”

Immediately after Usher wrapped up his photo op — and dashed back to the podium to thank his wife after a friendly reminder from Daniel’s — the runway lights came up for the evening’s design presentations.

First to show was Waina Chancy, debuting her womenswear collection “Atelier Ndigo.” The collection opened with romantic florals and delicate chain details. The palette shifted into moodier territory, with rich blacks dominating before closing in a flourish of vibrant Barbie pink. Gold accents wove through much of the collection, tying the story together.

Jimmy LaTuché, a returning HFR designer, delivered double impact with his menswear and womenswear line, “LaTuché.” The collection balanced sharp tailoring with bold, fashion-forward silhouettes, with gender-fluid pieces versatile enough for both workwear and a night on the town.

“This [collection] is brand new,” LaTuché said during an interview with HFR. “Everything has been at a new tier of creativity. There’s a new type of pattern cutting that I introduced. There’s also an element of layering that I’ve done that I didn’t do previously.”

Closing out the runway was Daveed Baptiste, whose self-titled collection reimagined everyday denim with a high-fashion lens. Elevated menswear pieces were paired with models covered in silver and blue body paint, reinforcing the collection’s ethereal, otherworldly atmosphere. The finale drew such an electric response that Baptiste received a standing ovation, marking one of the night’s most memorable moments.

Bringing the night to a close, Brandice Daniel returned to the stage for her final remarks, joined by her daughter at her side.

“When you leave this room, I want you to remember the power that you hold. Not just in influence, but in spending,” Daniel said. “Don’t just admire the work. Buy it. Wear it. Talk about it. Fund it. Because visibility is powerful, but investment is what moves the needle.”