ATLANTA — Wearing white after Labor Day? It’s your style. Choose how you want to display it. This Labor Day weekend, designers and models from all over Atlanta left it all in the garden.
The second annual Fashion in the Garden was a playground of creativity, design, fashion, and inclusivity. Designers from all walks of life graced the courtyard of the Darwin Hotel for a showcase of unique designs, promoting philanthropy and purpose in fashion.
The garden was the runway. Models wore designs featuring everyday wear, evening wear and even timeless runway looks. Between designers, attendees had an opportunity to support other local designers and businesses in the garden and dance the night away with live entertainment.
The experience was curated by Dr. Courtney A. Hammonds and Dr. Dionne L. Boyd, or “The Docs.” Dr. Hammonds tells 11Alive that the two continue to push for inclusivity in Atlanta’s fashion industry, which is why they open these experiences up to the whole community.
Fashion in the Garden 2024
“It's very siloed in a lot of spaces. Even in Atlanta, you gotta be the IT person to go. We didn't want that stigma on this. We want anyone that can come from the janitor to the CEO because everybody's important, and everybody wears a uniform,” said Dr. Hammonds.
Designers featured in this year’s Fashion in the Garden included - Myriam Belasse of KeenaBela, Rodrick Gilchrist of Gilchrist Designs, Cedric Brown of Cedric Brown Collection , Darryl Hunter of Dragon Perfumes , Vernell Washington of Grand Diva Designs, Joni Dubriel of Junk by Joni, and Louisa Owusu of Luwiza Moda.
When asked what the feeling or vibe of this year’s event was, Dr. Hammonds said, “Greater and greater, is going to become even greater,” Dr. Hammonds, who also tells 11Alive a big goal for “The Docs” was to create a teachable space that represents many different experiences.
“We're both loving people, and we're teachers by trade, and so we want to remain teachable, and we want to give an environment of openness, inclusivity from any walks of life because fashion, music and food represent all those things. So welcome…come to the table where it spreads,” said Dr. Hammonds.
