First-Ever Bed-Stuy Fashion Week Seeks Designers, Models

BED-STUY, NY — An end-of-summer festival will bring one of New York City's beloved luxury celebrations to Brooklyn: fashion week.

Bed-Stuy Fashion Week, hosted by youth-focused arts organization Non-Stop Production Youth, will highlight the very best of the Brooklyn from August 2-5 — and organizers are still registering local creatives.

Vendors, designers and models can register through June 1 to participate in one of the festival's showcases across Bed-Stuy.

"The Bedford-Stuyvesant section of Brooklyn has always had its own unique style of fashion," organizers said in a news release.

"From the church, to the malls, from jazz to hip hop, Bed-Stuy has had a history of artists, entrepreneurs, and venues change the face of fashion in Brooklyn."

NSP Youth CEO Wayne Winston said the organization will host and produce the main fashion show and awards program, and participating organizations will host complimentary events on the fashion week schedule.

Winston said he has his eye on Restoration Plaza or the Macon Library for the main event.

"Because this is the first time producing this event, we're not sure of how the turnout will be," Winston told Patch.

Winston said he tried to orchestrate a fashion week last year, but struggled building interest among local businesses. Now with a grant from the Brooklyn Arts Council, Winston is confident this year will be the first of many — even if he has to condense the events into fewer days.

The Arts Council's grant will also support the organization's 40th anniversary party, sponsorship for a couple designers and about six months of arts-focused youth programming, according to Winston.

In Brooklyn, the council's far-reaching 2023 grants will help produce ChamberQUEER's summer pride festival, a Brighton Beach children's ballet performance, a podcast for children to interview "inspiring elders" and a Gourd instrument-making workshop for adults.

"Brooklyn Arts Council grants strive to support local artists and small arts organizations whose work enhances the cultural climate of our borough, city, state, and nation," council representatives wrote on the council's website.

With applications still open, Winston has already locked down a couple of local designers, including custom dress line Shelby Tyler collection and his 11-year-old granddaughter's line, Qumara Boutique.