NEW YORK – Forget everything you thought you knew about New York Fashion Week. On Friday, September 12th, Actively Black wasn’t just showing clothes—they were making history. At Sony Hall, the trailblazing Black-owned brand, led by founders Lanny Smith and Bianca Winslow, produced a private show, part of the larger Runway 7 Fashion Week, that was less a runway spectacle and more a spiritual revival. The powerful, two-hour journey through Black culture, legacy, and unapologetic pride left the audience inspired and emotional.
“I feel blessed,” said a tearful Lanny Smith, reflecting on the stress of producing a show he felt the culture desperately needed. “If you knew what it took to make tonight happen, you would know why I can’t take no credit for it. God is so good, y’all.”
Civil rights icon Ruby Bridges, the woman who, at just six years old, desegregated an all-white Louisiana elementary school in 1960, walked the runway wearing a black Actively Black hoodie dress. A painting of her iconic school walk was displayed as she strode, a stark reminder of just how recent this history truly is. Later, she shared a tender moment with actor and singer Tyrese Gibson, a testament to the community and respect that filled the room.
The runway became a stage for living history. Hassie Benjamin Haith Jr., the designer of the Juneteenth flag, jogged onto the stage to Beyoncé’s “Freedom,” his hands coming together in a prayerful embrace of the crowd. “Juneteenth is a blessing that came from our ancestors,” he later said, “I believe it’s with us today because it wants this country to change and be more humane.”
The son of the legendary Black Panther Party chairman Fred Hampton, Fred Hampton Jr., took to the runway as a powerful link to a different era of Black activism. His presence served as a potent symbol of a legacy dedicated to community empowerment and resistance, reminding the audience that the fight for liberation is a continuous, intergenerational effort.
The legendary photographer Cecil J. Williams also walked, as a video showed his iconic photograph of him drinking from a “Whites Only” fountain, connecting his past bravery to the brand’s present-day message.
Perhaps the most powerful and symbolic moment of the night was the dual runway walk of Dr. Bernice King and Malikah Shabazz. Dr. King, daughter of the revered Martin Luther King, Jr., walked out wearing an MLK-inspired hoodie with the phrase “I’m Black and Beautiful” and shared a tender moment with actor and singer Tyrese Gibson. She was followed by Shabazz, the daughter of Malcolm X, who wore a hoodie emblazoned with an “X.”
They first walked individually before returning together, meeting in the middle of the runway in a profound embrace. This powerful moment symbolized the two most influential legacies in Black history uniting, a moment so moving that activist Tamika D. Mallory said, “When Bernice King came out, I thought I was going to lose it. I cried.”to lose it. I cried.”
The show was also a vibrant tribute to Black artistry and collaboration. The family of the late art icon Jean-Michel Basquiat, including his sister Lisane Basquiat, walked the runway showcasing a special collection inspired by his work.
The legendary Olympic gold medalists and activists Tommie Smith and John Carlos were honored, reminding the audience of their powerful protest at the 1968 Olympics. The show connected their iconic gesture—raising a black-gloved fist on the podium—to the brand’s mission of unapologetic Black excellence.
A tribute to 2Pac was a standout, with models wearing inspired T-shirts and hoodies as Lanny Smith’s own mother walked the runway in a 2Pac shirt.
The event was a mixtape of Black excellence. Models wearing 365 hoodies (spelled IIIsixty5) brought out vibrant dance segments, including a West Coast dance to a “peek-a-boo” song and a New York-style jump roping routine. A drum major was brought out by Terrence J to introduce the new HBCU-inspired hoodies. The show highlighted other powerful cultural touchstones, including a tribute to the Harlem Globetrotters and a celebration of the 25th anniversary of BET’s iconic show 106 & Park, with a cameo by legendary hosts AJ & Free.
As the runway show wrapped up, Fast Life Yungstaz (F.L.Y.) hit the stage for a live performance of their hit “Swag Surfin’,” which had the entire crowd on its feet. The night culminated in an emotional climax when Bianca Winslow walked out, revealing her pregnant belly to the crowd. Following a tense countdown, the couple revealed they are expecting a baby boy in December 2025.
In a shocking announcement, the couple revealed that this would be their final show, a decision made to prepare for their new baby. “This is it. I love y’all, but this is the last one,” said Winslow. The news cemented the show’s legacy, serving as a powerful reminder that “This is Not a Fashion Show” was not just a one-off event but a timeless statement—a celebration that our history is not just in books, but is a living, breathing part of who we are today.
