NY Fashion Week ends at the Studio Museum of Harlem of with Andre Leon Talley

LaQuan Smith / Photo: Suzette Lee

Last night at the Studio Museum of Harlem, a special conversation about fashion and art with André Leon Talley and emerging fashion designer LaQuan Smith was moderated by the museum’s Director and Chief Curator Thelma Golden.

A 25-year veteran of and contributing editor to Vogue, André Leon Talley regularly pens a witty, pithy column called “Life with André." He also worked at Interview during Andy Warhol’s tenure. Talley regularly appears on television and in film and can currently be seen as a judge on the television show “America’s Next Top Model.”

LaQuan Smith has designed custom fashions for artists including Lady Gaga, Rihanna, Aubrey O’day, Amerie and more. Smith’s New York Fashion Week debut was held on February 15, 2010 and he has been featured in many media outlets including The New York Times, New York Daily News and Studio Magazine.

Both shared a wonderful view on fashion. Mr. Talley told the standing room only audience, “Fashion is HARD WORK, hard core work;” he continued to say, “true fashion insiders must do their homework, be patient, learn the business and live your dream.”

LaQuan’s 2nd fashion collection frenetic energy filled the Gramercy Room of the Peninsula Hotel as editors and buyers waited for wunderkind LaQuan Smith’s Spring/Summer 2011 show, entitled “A Storybook Path,” to begin. While a crush of photographers circled around rapper Common to get a shot, a gaggle of reporters rushed before Vogue’s Andre Leon Talley and designer and CFDA President Diane Von Furstenberg for a soundbite. The excitement generated so much heat, attendees fanned themselves with hot pink paper fans provided on the tables. As classical music began to play, a young lady wearing a blush pink corseted brocade jacket and matching frilly skirt came out, pursing gold lacquered lips and tottering atop Walter Steiger stilettos. The show had begun, and the air erupted with shouts of enthusiasm over the clothes–and the models themselves:

Exclamations of “Honey better work!” and “Ok!” could be heard as models sauntered out in a series of bust and thigh accentuating pieces seemingly inspired by the famously coquettish and fashion loving late 18th century Marie Antoinette. Brocade fabrics in champagne pink, deep burgundy, white, black, and electric blue were fashioned into cropped frilled tops and bodice dresses, perfectly fit for modern day princesses. Though dreamlike, as if cut from a storybook, the clothes were designed to titillate. To wit, an almost bare bottomed Jaslene Gonzalez elicited whoops of “Yes, girl,” as she worked a sheer mint green flapper dress with green plumes of feathers peeking out the bottom.

The shouts reached an almost fevered pitch as even more celebrity models emerged. Singer Cassie in a corseted gold and burgundy bubble hem dress; Deborah Cox in a Tiffany blue gilded number with an asymmetric train; Serena Williams, who closed the show, in a Bourdeaux red regal gown with exaggerated hips.

Harlem Firehouse Becomes Hot Spot For Entertainment

By: Cheryl Wills

A decommissioned firehouse in the heart of Harlem is now home to a legendary choreographer who is lighting a fire under a new generation of artists. NY1's Cheryl Wills filed the following report.

The building at 6 Hancock Place in Harlem was once home to firefighters at Hook and Ladder Number 40. For the last decade, though, Tony and Emmy Award-winning dancer and choreographer George Faison has transformed the decommissioned fire house into a field of artistic dreams called the Faison Firehouse Theater.

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These days, the tricked-out firehouse is a haven for young people who take advantage of Faison's classes and workshops. The dancer says it is his way of giving back to the community.

Faison's 40-year career is legendary in the entertainment world. He has danced with the greats, including Alvin Ailey, Katherine Dunham and Louis Johnson, and rose to new heights when he choreographed "The Wiz" on Broadway, which became a national sensation in the mid-1970s.

In 2000, Faison and his business partner, Tad Schnugg, purchased the decrepit firehouse on Hancock Place. After years of work, they started staging productions in the 125-seat not-for-profit theater.

"When I first walked in it, it was home to pigeons and rats and crack addicts," says Faison. "It was madness, I had to fight my way into the joint. 'What is this in here? Come out of there hiding.'"

After millions of dollars in renovations, the old firehouse has become a slice of Hollywood in the Heart of Harlem. It boasts a cabaret theater, a dance studio and Faison's fancy living quarters upstairs.

His many celebrity friends regularly stop by to show their support.

"I am so proud of what he’s done. From the very beginning we were like, 'You’re buying what? An almost abandoned firehouse? Are you crazy?" says actress Lynn Whitfield.

"It’s about community and bringing forth that next generation. It’s just the way he is," says actress Phylicia Rashad.

"I’m very impressed. He’s very creative," says comedian," says Paul Mooney.

"It’s wonderful. I think that’s the way God planned it," says singer Roberta Flack.

"He is a great rung on the ladder," says actress and activist Ruby Dee.

Faison says he is proud of the theater's accomplishments and is dancing into the hearts of the next generation.

"Growing up in this country, you know everything is yours. All you have to do is take ownership. Get the keys, find the keys, open the door, go through it," he says.

To learn more about the firehouse, visit www.faisonfirehouse.org.