COURAGE - Upper West Side Indie Fashion Show

UWS Indie Fashion showcased at Goddard Women’s History Fest

Fresh off last years’ sold-out art show by 93-year old outsider artist Nancy Brandon titled The Accidental Artist – Joy & Cohesion in Black Life that aired nationally on Pix 11and yeilded a documentary short film, the Women’s History Artist Month [W.H.A.M.] celebration at Goddard Riverside is back with a unique showcase of indie Upper West Side fashion!

To celebrate the WHAM Festival's 10th anniversary, Goddard Riverside Community Arts is bringing together a trio of local Black women entrepreneur fashion designers and a powerhouse group of BIPOC models. They'll show off a unique collection of handmade garments and accessories at our “COURAGE” Fashion Show on March 1st, 2025 at 7PM.

This event is a one-of-a-kind UWS community celebration featuring iconic barrier-breaking supermodel Shailah Edmonds as Emcee and Model Coach who took the European runways by storm walking for Versace, Armani, Fendi, Gucci, Yves St. Laurent, Dior, Givenchy, Valentino, Balmain and more. Read Edmonds’ profile in the NY Times.
The Music

To create a fully immersive atmosphere, Season 24-25 Community Artist-in-Residence Amira B will perform a set of original music backed by a full R&B brass band. Some may remember her as the Grand Prize Winner of this year's Upper West Side’s Got Talent Show! Amira B & Band: Listen to Amira B and Band’s NPR TinyDesk Submission, "Do You"!
The Fashion

Streetwear: The Love Collection by Greenprint Wellness
Designed by Executive Director Dr. Lena Green, proceeds from sales of these stylish and inspirational hoodies, jackets, hats, and more directly support the work of Hope Center Harlem, a mental health clinic “fostering connection and collective healing” by providing free therapy services for the Harlem community.

Hats: Bronx-based Lisa McFadden Millinery
A former technical designer for Ann Taylor, J Crew and Gap Inc., Lisa branched out from her now-iconic ‘CRUSH’ hats, expertly designed to complement Black women’s hairstyles, to launching a millinery brand in 2014. Her whimsical high-fashion hats have been featured in media outlets such as Today's Black Woman, Women's Wear Daily, Vogue.com, CFDA.com, Goldenglobes.com, Hatalk.com and Hat Magazine. Lisa's passion projects include fashion filmmaking and bespoke collaborations. Her first short, 'Journey Cuba’, screened at festivals in NYC, Chicago, and Tokyo. She recently created couture headwear for her third special installation with the Milliners Guild at the Metropolitan Museum of Art’s Mezzanine Gallery. Lisa McFadden Millinery will be on view at “Black Dress II: Homage”, an exhibit celebrating 10 years of the Black Dress Project at Pratt Manhattan Gallery from January 31 to March 22, 2025.
Crochet: Kulture Krochet by Rosella ‘Sheba’ Williams
Kulture Krochet's collection showcases unique hand-crafted skirts, sweaters, pants, dresses, and beyond, each designed to offer individuality and self-expression. Blending bold colors and traditional crochet techniques into wearable art, it inspires crochet and fiber art awareness, emphasizing the versatility of crochet and how it can fit into any lifestyle and wardrobe. Rosella is known as ‘Ms. Sheba’ by the students of Goddard Riverside’s West Side Beacon Afterschool, where she teaches weekly crochet classes along with other innovative design projects.

Host or Publisher Goddard Riverside Community Center