NaturallyCurly kicked off NYFW by celebrating twenty years of self-love and empowerment. Founded in 1998, this digital media company quickly grew to become an important symbol in the textured-hair community. In the past twenty years, NaturallyCurly has worked hard to build up women and change the way the world views curls, coils, and waves. This past Thursday they were able to celebrate this with their signature event, Texture on the Runway.
This runway of cultural and curly hair infusion took place at the breathtaking Gotham Hall and was hosted by co-founder Michelle Breyer and breakout recording-artist from Love and Hip Hop Miami Amara La Negra. Texture brands Camille Rose Naturals, Cantu, Carol’s Daughter, Creme of Nature, Mielle Organics, Shea Moisture, and The Mane Choice took to the stage to in unique and different ways showcasing various textured hairstyles and fashion.
Camille Rose Naturals used inspiration from their new exotic recipes to bring the Amazon Rainforest, the South Pacific, and the Middle East to life on the stage. The “Around the World” collection launched in during the event and is now available in Sally Beauty supply store.
Cantu aimed to show the hard work of everyone on the Cantu team by highlighting members from their sales team and interns. They entitled their show “The Faces of Cantu: Head Over Heels for Texture” to portray their dedication to the textured hair movement.
The founder of Carol’s Daughter Lisa Price aimed to show the audience how much she enjoyed spending time with her mother as a child and how now as a mother herself, she has the same joy with spending time with her own children. The show featured models who were really family and were styled using Pracaxi Nectar style and care line.
The Creme of Nature show brought a fun, funky, and edgy vibe to the night with their “Afro-Punk Urban Queen” theme, meant to celebrate a generation of ladies setting trends around the world. The show opened with Afro Beat Dancers courtesy of Nedra The Dancer dancing to music by MPerfect Marketing Solutions and visuals by Craig Brimm behind them. Next were the models wearing clothing and fabric from De La Cruz New York and hairstyles by celebrity hairstylist Pekela Riley.
Warriors of Wakanda hit the runway in the Mielle Organics presentation, featuring edgy and dramatic looks from stylist Key Glover. The presentation told a story of the warriors fighting for the crown, to be shown in the end that they can all have the crown. The hair was styled using the Pomegranate and Honey collection, which includes an additional shampoo, conditioner, and curl refreshing spray.
Shea Moisture featured models in stylish yellow ensembles walking to reggae music to go with their “Celebrating Our Shine” theme. The show featured styles that were created with their legacy collection Jamaican Black Castor Oil Strengthen & Restore Hair Care, which provides treatment and styling solutions with natural and organic ingredients for all textured looks.
As the show whirled on, the various brands being showcased were being sold by retail sponsor Sally Beauty. NaturallyCurly filled Gotham Hall with women and men with every type of textured hair imaginable. It was a true exhibition of culture, with everyone their excited to embrace who they were, who they wanted to be, and most importantly, the CURL.
-Chelsea Young
Photos: Monica Schipper/Getty Images