Hey, Detroiters, welcome back to Culture Canvas!
I do not have any April Fools’ pranks to pull, but I do have a new interview for you all!
I talked to Jessica Ramirez, the new entrepreneurship support specialist at the Detroit Hispanic Development Corporation (DHDC) and an organizer of the 6th annual Detroit Day of Fashion. This year’s theme is the “Fabric of Us,” and the event is set for 6 p.m. Friday at DHDC’s headquarters, 1211 Trumbull, in partnership with Fantazma Market and Cafe, a women-led hub that uplifts voices of color through fashion and small business support.
The show will begin with a market featuring clothing and accessories from the 12 Detroit designers who were selected through an online application process. Ramirez said the designers vary in age, race and gender. Some have decades of experience in the industry and have showcased work at New York Fashion Week and Paris Fashion Week.
There will also be performances by singer Racquel Soledad and saxophonist Andre Buckley, hosted by Camilla Cantu, singer, DJ and founder of the all-female mariachi band Mariachi Femenil Detroit.
The designers include:
- Jo Edison
- Megan Lacroix
- Asha Whittaker
- Jessica May Dawson
- Lakiya Ealy
- Kiera Wilson
- Giovanni Gulley
- Rylee Daniels
- Jordan Huerta-Glodich
- Derric James
- Cameron Willcock
- Jaionah Williams
The fashion show starts at 7 p.m. and DJ Problematic Black Hottie will close the night with an after-party. Tickets start at $10 on Eventbrite.
I talked to Ramirez about some of the designers featured in the show and what this year’s theme means for her.
Editor’s note: This interview was lightly edited for length and clarity.
BridgeDetroit: What have you been doing to help prepare for the show?
Ramirez: My role is mainly to get the word out there, so I’ve been pairing up with small organizations. For example, I partnered with Cafecito Alvarez, a Mexican-owned coffee shop. I’ve also been tasked with communicating with all the designers. We hosted a footage day where they came, and we took their pictures and did interviews. I wanted to emphasize the designers and put a face to their products.
BridgeDetroit: What types of fashion are going to be presented?
Ramirez: Kiera Wilson (for example) does more extravagant, glamorous looks. She has looks that have different texture patterns and different fabrics. We have Derric and his line, Tailored Garments. He does amazing upcycle work and combines work clothing with street wear clothing. We also have Jaionah Williams and her line, Jai Doll Warehouse, who does similar fashion. There is an incredible designer whose name is Cameron Willcock and his designs are called Cam’s Wrld. He loves to mix different layers into his designs. He weaves in patches and parts of fabrics that are being scrapped or tossed out. He values sustainability in his work. And Kealy Collection by Lakiya Ealy will also have glamorous looks. She’s gearing toward the bridal industry, so she’s going to be making wedding gowns. We have an array of looks.
BridgeDetroit: What does this year’s theme, “Fabric of Us,” mean?
Ramirez: The theme is essentially growing a community through fabric and exploring self-identity through fabric. I think that means just weaving into the roots of a community by essentially building connections, just like the roots of a plant.
What makes us stand out in this fashion show is that it aims to uplift marginalized voices in the white-dominated space of fashion. I think it (the industry) intimidates minority communities and what we’re trying to do is fight against that and push until, eventually, marginalized voices feel a part of something greater.
BridgeDetroit: How does it feel to be helping to organize this event?
Ramirez: I’ve always been interested in fashion and I love showing my identity through my clothing. I hope to have my own fashion brand someday. This is making one of my dreams come true, especially working with the designers and getting to know people.
As always, have a great week!
Cheers,
Micah
313 Scene
- BridgeDetroit reporter Jena Brooker wrote about the lounge and small concert cafe Moondog Cafe, which officially opens on Saturday. The special all-day celebration will feature community radio station Blue Moon Radio, sets from DJs Whodat and Supreme Gratitude and live performances from the Caleb Robinson Trio, Jon Dixon and Ahya Simone.
- Fifty years after the unsolved murder of author Donald Goines and his common-law wife, Shirley Sailor, in their Highland Park apartment, a film production company is shooting a documentary and launching a new investigation in hopes of uncovering what happened. The film company, Detroit Son, will explore the life and legacy of Goines, a prolific writer widely credited with shaping the genre of urban fiction. To help reexamine the cold case, Detroit Son has hired locally renowned private investigator and former TV journalist Bill Proctor. (Detroit Metro Times)
- R&B star Chris Brown is headed to Detroit this summer with his Breezy Bowl XX concert at Ford Field on Aug. 8. The Ford Field date will be Brown’s biggest show yet in Detroit, long one of his premier U.S. markets. The three-month, 29-city tour will play arenas and stadiums across Europe and North America, and Brown will be joined in Detroit by openers Summer Walker and Bryson Tiller. Tickets will go on sale at 10 a.m. Thursday through Ticketmaster. (Detroit Free Press)
- Southfield native Keegan-Michael Key, one half of the classic sketch series “Key & Peele,” will deliver the ceremonial first pitch for the Detroit Tigers’ Opening Day on Friday as they face the Chicago White Sox at Comerica Park. (Detroit Free Press)
- Detroit director Lawrence Lamont’s “One of Them Days,” one of the year’s biggest comic hits, is now streaming on Netflix. The comedy stars Keke Palmer and SZA as Los Angeles roommates looking to come up with overdue rent money over the course of one crazy day in order to avoid eviction. Katt Williams, Lil Rel Howery, Maude Apatow and Gabrielle Dennis co-star. (The Detroit News)
What’s Going on in the D?
- Detroit Poet Laureate jessica Care moore will deliver her first address in the role at 6 p.m. Tuesday at the main branch of the Detroit Public Library. Her talk, titled “The G.O.A.T City: How Love, Resilience & 17 Syllables Can Amplify the Heart of Our City,” will explore themes of love and resilience and emphasize the power of haiku to capture the essence of Detroit’s spirit. The event is free, but registration is required on Evenbrite.
- Greektown bar Firebird Tavern is hosting its annual tent party from 9 a.m. to 9 p.m. Friday to celebrate the Tigers’ home opener. The event includes food from Pablo’s Tacos and Bro’s Burger Joint, entertainment from DJ JunBugg and plenty of drinks. Tickets are $20 on Eventbrite.
- To celebrate its newest flavors, Super Pop and Bubble Pop, Faygo is hosting a free pop-up Friday-Sunday called “House of Faygo.”Taking place downtown at 1001 Woodward, guests can enjoy Faygo-themed merchandise and engage in interactive activities. Hours are 5-7 p.m. Friday and 12-5 p.m. Saturday and Sunday.
- InsideOut Literary Arts is hosting a poetry showcase at 6 p.m. Friday at the Detroit Institute of Arts. Called “Adornment and Celebration,” the free event is a response to artist Tiff Massey’s exhibit, “7 Mile and Livernois.” The showcase will be hosted by InsideOut youth coach La Shaun Phoenix Moore with performances by local poets Brittany Rogers, Melba Joyce Boyd, Nandi Comer, John Freeman, Ashley “Galaxy” Adams, as well as InsideOut student poets.
- The Redford Theatre is screening the rom-com classic, “When Harry Met Sally,” at 8 p.m. Friday. Tickets are $7.
- Actresses and comedians Tina Fey and Amy Poehler are coming to the Fox Theatre Friday and Saturday for their “Restless Leg Tour.” The friends are best known for their time on “Saturday Night Live,” as well as for starring in the films “Mean Girls,” “Baby Mama,” and “Sisters.” There are still some tickets available, beginning at $155 on Ticketmaster.
- The Detroit Bird Alliance will host a bird and history walk at Elmwood Cemetery from 8:30 to 10:30 a.m. Saturday. Designed by renowned landscape architect Frederick Law Olmsted and dedicated in 1846, the cemetery provides the opportunity to experience nature, culture and Detroit history. Aalliance member and general admission tickets are waitlisted, but people can purchase tickets by donating to DBA on Eventbrite.
- An opening reception for the Norwest Gallery of Art’s latest exhibit, “This Heavenly Body” is from 6-9 p.m. Saturday at its North Rosedale Park location. Featuring photography from Chicago artist Seed Lynn, the exhibit explores the significance of roller rinks as cultural and communal havens in the Midwest. In addition, the show is a response to the increasing closures of these sacred spaces of Black leisure and social connection across the country. Lynn’s long-exposure photography highlights the Black skaters in natural light, providing an ethereal quality, making the figures appear “heavenly.” The reception is free, but people can register at Eventbrite.
- The Tangent Gallery will host aflea market from 2-6 p.m. on Sunday at its North End headquarters.
