National Geographic Makes Its NYFW Debut With Black Designers
Written by Heran Mamo on February 15, 2024
National Geographic made its New York Fashion Week debut with an immersive fashion show, Nat Geo Presents: ‘Fit for a Queen,’ celebrating the premiere of the docu-series QUEENS. Curated and styled by rising fashion star Sakinah Bashir, the show showcased bold patterns and sculptural silhouettes inspired by the animal kingdom, designed by JêBlanc, Sergio Hudson, Bohn Jsell, and others.
The show drew inspiration from late ’90s runway shows, featuring deep color tones, dramatic headpieces, and adornments. This immersive experience went beyond fashion, highlighting Nat Geo’s commitment to reshaping the natural history genre with influential females in front of and behind the camera. The show opened with Plant Kween as “Mother Nature,” setting the stage for a journey through the animal kingdom. Wildlife cinematographer Sophie Darlington, featured as a model, wore a pink Sergio Hudson outfit, and Act I showcased a model in a custom tan crushed velvet design inspired by a lioness, representing the “Crater Queens” episode.
Act II featured a hologram of a brown bear from “Coastal Queens,” alongside a model in a custom design representing “water” by JèBlanc. Act III highlighted an elephant from “Savanna Queens,” with a hologram of the animal and a model in a custom Theophilio design inspired by an elephant’s shape and trunk. The show underscored Nat Geo’s commitment to showcasing powerful female stories and redefining traditional narratives in both fashion and natural history.
Narrated by Angela Bassett, the groundbreaking series QUEENS is reshaping the landscape of the natural history genre. With a female-led filmmaking team, the show captures powerful matriarchs ruling in the natural world, showcasing six iconic worlds dominated by the most impressive female leaders in the animal kingdom. This series marks a significant shift in storytelling, highlighting the often-overlooked role of female animals in nature and celebrating their strength and resilience.
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