AFROPUNK Fashion | Brooklyn 2017

AFROPUNK is a festival notorious for it's impeccable fashion game. Internationally, people await the various looks that will be presented at this conscious carnival; and for good reasons. Thinking about the way black culture is isolated from the fashion industry, AFROPUNK provides an outlet for that to thrive. Here we see all the aspects of blackness through fashion; as resistance and liberation. Black folks come to this festival strategically planning their outfit. From alternating to thrift store hunting, online ordering and distressing, we put work into our look. The fashion is no joke! The space we take at AFROPUNK is important and we treat it accordingly. Just as we respect each other highly at this festival, we also respect the intention  and effort, put into what we wear on the grounds.

While at the Brooklyn Fest this year, I captured some of the weekend looks. Black expression is one that is heavily policed daily; so to see so many of us in one place being fashionable and free was priceless. Reflecting on the barriers I break in terms of fashion rules: wearing my skirt "too short", "aggressive" lipstick colors and  an afro, is my way of flipping the bird to the constant policing. From work to toxic social norms, people categorize who can wear what. They say how someone can sport their hair styles. They decide when a trend is fashion forward or "ghetto". These are all jabs at blackness and we are not here for it.

At AFROPUNK we took down the barriers. We looked amazing. The sea of black magic and joy was overwhelming. Much of that is due to us having the autonomy to dress how we want at this place, with whatever color hair we want, whatever belly or hair out and ultimately as our true selves, that's typically downplayed for survival. The people who broke gender binaries, feminine norms and made political statements all flourished that weekend. Take a look at all the black beauty. Let's celebrate this black excellence.