IN MEMORIAM

EPPERSON

Pulling inspiration from the past, touched by his surroundings, people, and everyday life – Epperson is a hard-working realist who allows himself indulgence in the fanciful. His collection concepts range from a homeless and tattered urban princess to the skirted gentleman, secure in himself and his place in the world. This translates into quirky, whimsical, thought-provoking yet functional clothing that allow the owner to “be who they are”.

Epperson began his career in fashion by following a “crush” to a design class. His desire to be near a “beautiful girl” led him to his life’s work. That same passion is infused in every princess dress, patchwork skirt, or “rough ruffled” gown. After exploring the retail world in Brooklyn and SoHo, Epperson returned to his Harlem roots. He currently services a private clientele and operates a developing wholesale business.

Eppersoncredits amongst his clients Alicia Keyes, Venus Williams, Erykah Badu, and Patti Labelle.Eppersonwas featured in the Museum of the City of New York’s’ Black Style NOW exhibit and was highlighted amongst a handful of designers for the fashion anthology American Beauty by Patricia Mears. He has been a longtime collaborator with the Complexions Dance Company and was commissioned to design costumes for the Alvin Ailey American Dance Theatre and Julliard Dance Ensemble. Most recently, Epperson partnered with the Francesca Harper Project to design costumes for the Limon Dance Company.

ISAIAH HEMMINGWAY

Isaiah Hemmingway is revolutionizing the way we define “bleisure” by marrying business wear with leisure. His collections reflect an appreciation of art, style, and bold color. Since moving from Detroit to NYC in 2005, he honed his technical design skills. Isaiah is a sought-after fit consultant for top brands. His keen eye to detail is reflected in the clothes he creates. His footwear line exudes comfort and is combined with expert craftsmanship. Discerning fashion mavens from the East to West coast and worldwide love wearing what can only be described as a work of art. His work has been showcased in GQ, WWD, Robb Report and Casey Kaplan gallery. He also partners with 5-star hotels to cater to their cultured clientele.

CARL JONES

Trained at the Otis Parsons Art Institute, and 1992 winner of the WALTER P. CHRYSLER Award for Innovative Design, Jones founded Designers Screen Printing in 1982, providing T-shirt designs to companies such as Guess and Ocean Pacific. Jones sold the company in 1985 and founded Surf Fetish, a trendy beachwear concern. In 1989, he took inspiration from the emerging hip hop culture and started Cross Colours, the first apparel company that took urban style to the masses to the tune of $80 million in three years.

BYRON LARS

Byron Lars started designing under his own label in 1991 with a small collection of sportswear focusing on what Lars refers to as “twisted American classics.” Transfixed with elevating pedestrian staples Byron concocted a distorted version of his Grandfather’s fishing jacket that took on “Dior New Look” proportions, resulting in a “Duchess of Windsor meets Field and Stream” hybrid kind of aesthetic. Style “mash-ups” are an integral part of Byron’s design DNA because he sees them as fashion icebreakers. “At the end of the day, my drapey twisty sarong rifts on a men’s button-down shirt are just that…button down shirts. Every woman knows and trusts a button-down shirt and even when she’s fashion-reluctant, she isn’t intimidated to wear a variation of one… even when that variation evokes a REAL FASHION MOMENT”, says Lars.

Beyond the above examples, what distinguishes Byron’s clothes from others is their body enhancing fit, meticulous workmanship and obsessive attention to detail. “I want it to be more about the clothes endless about hype.” says Lars. “That’s why there’s even tireless focus given to the inside of the garment, because that’s what touches her skin and mischiefly responsible for the experience she has when wearing the clothes… AFTER that final mirror check to confirm she looks amazing.

IN MEMORIUM

HUMAN/CIVIL RIGHTS ACTIVISTS

Lani Guiner Abebech Jobena Alvin Sykes Bob Moses Carl Bean Desmond Tutu Gloria Richardson Kenneth Kaunda Lucille Times Malikah Shabazz Martha White Meredith C. Anding Jr. Michael Somare Sheila Washington Vernon Jordan Winfred Rembert

ARTS

Bunny Wailer Chi Modu Debby King Douglas Turner Ward Emani Fuquan Johnson Karla Burns Micki Grant Paul Mooney U-Roy Virgil Abloh

FILM/TV

Anthony “A.J.” Johnson Betty White Charlie Robinson Cicely Tyson Clarence Williams III David Gulpilil Deezer D Gregg Leakes

Jahmil French Marc Wilmore Marion Ramsey Melvin Van Peebles Michael K. Williams Puneeth Rajkumar Rhonda Stubbins White Saginaw Grant Samuel E. Wright Sonny Chiba Suzzane Douglas Yaphett Kotto Carl Craig Max Julien Sidney Poitier

JOURNALISM

Bill McCreary Glen Ford Irv Cross Jovta Moore Larry King Marshall Latimore Mat George Midwin Charles Paul H. Brock Willard Scott Andre Leon Talley

LITERARY

Bell Hooks Eric Jerome Dickey Jean Breeze Jerry Pinkney Lawrence Otis Graham Sanyika Shakur

MILITARY

General Colin Powell (Ret.) Lawrence N. Brooks