One thing we are able to count on Harlem Fashion Row to do is honor Black excellence, beauty, and style. NYFW kicked off the SS25 season with the seventeenth annual fashion show and awards ceremony, founded by Brandice Daniel. The evening honored fashion’s biggest names: Naomi Campbell, Teyana Taylor, Samira Nasr, and Shiona Turini.

Not only that, it was a time to highlight latest collections from rising Black designers like Aaron Potts, Nicole Benefield, and LaTouché. To accompany the looks—which ranged from tailored suits to daring maxi skirts— were, in fact, aspirational makeup and hair moments, too.

Ricky Wilson, celebrity makeup artist, tells ESSENCE that he loves that “individuals are bringing awareness to taking good care of the ocean in the case of fashion and sustainability.” Behind the scenes, before the show, the celebrity makeup artist brought vibrant colours—similar to an aquatic teal liner— together as a approach to highlight the models’ features and be a “bit more fun and inventive in the case of makeup.”

For Benefield’s collection, he put “a contemporary twist” on a classic ‘60s vibe. That said, he opted for a protracted dramatic lash and radiant skin. “The massive lashes are all in regards to the re-interpretation of classic ‘60s eye makeup,” says Wilson. “The explanation that we didn’t do any eyeshadow with it is because it might have just been a classic 60s,” he explains. To modernize things, “we just put a little bit eyeliner on and just pop the eyelashes.”

For LaTouché, they reinterpreted the ‘90s supermodel look (think: Naomi Campbell) by embracing natural beauty and glowy skin. Wilson used Dior Forever Skin Glow Hydrating Foundation to create a natural glow. 

No show is complete without signature hair. For this one, all got here together due to celebrity hairstylist Marie Simone. Since the theme of the show was “down under the ocean,” she says, “he wanted us to create textures and waves.” Simone expresses that she wanted to incorporate an adjunct that caught our attention.

With that in mind, “we decided to include seashells. He felt like this gave a relaxing and relaxing feel.” She made the hair look impeccable with the assistance of Pattern Beauty Edge Control, Pattern Beauty Strong Hold Gel, Pattern Beauty Milk Spray and Pattern Beauty Curl Gel.

For Benefield, she went with a wet look by having straight lines versus the wave. And decided to the touch on LaTouché’s theme with a classic ‘60’s puff ball ponytail. “We’re using the milk spray to melt up the hair and using the curl define to use curls and add more texture within the hair.”

With beauty trends coming and stepping into the wonder industry, Simone predicts a trend for upcoming shows. “I’m finding that the majority of the designers need to see the natural texture within the model’s hair.” Afterall, natural beauty and hair will at all times be a winner.