Negris LeBrum – NYFW Spring Summer 2024

New York City – Every day, we seem to wake up to a viral social media video about a bizarre event happening on a plane or airport. Frankly, we miss the Golden Age of Travel, a time when elegance, luxury, and iconic aircrafts such as the 747 and Pan Am ruled the skies, all driven by a sense of adventure and the spirit of exploration of magical and exotic destinations. Imagine our surprise and overflowing nostalgia when attending the Negris LeBrum New York Fashion Week Spring/Summer 2024 runway show and being transported to this bygone era, since for this collection, Designer Travis Hamilton drew inspiration from the Pan Am flight attendants and their iconic style.

Titled “Pickleball Tote,” this latest collection by Hamilton featured rich floral brocades in mini-dresses, skirts, and rompers that reimagined the feminine silhouette. One of the highlights of the runway show was the whimsical and vibrant pickleball totes, which marked Negris LeBrum’s collaboration with Texas Southern University (TSU) – House of Maroon. 

Besides the Pan Am inspiration, and most importantly, this collaboration is deeply rooted in the brand’s love story, inspired by an interracial couple from the 1940s. This love story is the tale of a courageous French Creole woman of the same name who could pass for white but embraced her black roots and her love for a black man (Hamilton also has roots in Southern Creole culture). This story continues to inspire the brand’s collections and its slogan, “Lenoir est Joli,” which means “Black is Beautiful.”

The Negris LeBrum experience extended beyond the runway, with an after-party held at the Ideal Glass Studio venue. The event was attended by fashion influencers, photographers, stylists, and celebrities, along with event sponsors like Yolonda Sweets (a perfectly complimentary and sweet addition to the event), Owls Brew, The Town cocktails, and June Shine can cocktails. – GM