OUTLOOK: Vicksburg designer takes Hoodvenchy to New York Trend Week
Printed 4:00 am Sunday, September 18, 2022
Discovering a distinct segment within the vogue trade takes willpower, dedication and, after all, an eye fixed for design.
Simply ask Vicksburg resident Raymond Banks, who has just lately returned from the Large Apple the place he was one of many vogue designers invited to take part in New York Trend Week.
Banks received his begin designing bowties, he mentioned, and from there, his love of vogue grew.
“I began designing in 2013. I made a bowtie for a program round Black Historical past Month at our church, and from that one bowtie I catapulted into the style trade,” Banks mentioned.
Folks started asking who made the bowtie, Banks mentioned, and the place might they get one.
“I used to be identical to, I made it,” he mentioned.
Enterprise took off for the younger designer and for the following 5 years, Banks made and designed distinctive bow ties.
In 2018, he launched his Hoodvenchy model, which is what garnered him a spot on the runway.
Banks mentioned the Hoodvenchy idea began out as a joke, impressed by the identify of the posh model Givenchy.
“It wasn’t imagined to be a model in any respect,” he mentioned.
Nevertheless it turned out that Banks’ spoof on designer labels was properly acquired.
“A pal at Jackson State requested me to take part in a vogue present together with his modeling squad and so I used to be like ‘I am going to do it,’ however I wanted to deliver one thing totally different than what I often do,” he mentioned.
Therefore, impressed by the posh model scandals that have been plaguing the design world in 2018, Banks mentioned, “You recognize what, I’m going to do one thing round this. I will type of poke enjoyable at them, so I will do Hoodvenchy.
“Folks cherished the model, and so they cherished the identify,” he added. “And from there Hoodvenchy was born.”
One of many items Banks designed for the Hoodvenchy model included a leather-based coat that had a listing of well-known vogue manufacturers on it with their names crossed out.
“It began with Gucci and Prada, Louis Vuitton and Fendi. These names have been crossed out, however I wrote Hoodvenchy on the underside and circled it,” Banks mentioned, including that the design was supposed to convey the message of “crossing off and canceling” high designers recognized worldwide and choosing Hoodvenchy as a substitute.
For the New York present, Banks’ assortment was titled, “Fall Semester at Hoodvenchy College,” and he described the 28-piece assortment as streetwear that included tracksuits, hoodies and puffer jackets.
All the assortment is androgynous, Banks mentioned, and might be worn by each women and men.
“This line was all about consolation; nothing was restrictive, and there was no avant-garde seems there,” Banks mentioned. “Every thing was accessible on a regular basis objects.”
The Trend Week occasion was held on the 99th Scott Studio in Brooklyn, New York.
Previous to the New York Trend Week, Banks mentioned, in March he participated within the Los Angeles Trend Week.
And now that he’s again house, plans are to have a runway present in Vicksburg.
“I’ve given LA my time, I’ve given New York my time. Now it is time for me to let folks in Vicksburg see these works up shut. They will see a video — that is positive and so they can see footage, however I need to permit them to see the garments for themselves,” he mentioned.
Banks mentioned he’s hoping to have the runway present someday in October.
About Terri Cowart Frazier
Terri Frazier was born in Cleveland. Shortly afterward, the household moved to Vicksburg. She is a part-time reporter at The Vicksburg Put up and is the editor of the Vicksburg Dwelling Journal, which has been awarded First Place by the Mississippi Press Affiliation. She has additionally been the recipient of a First Place award within the MPA’s Higher Newspaper Contest’s editorial division for the “Greatest Function Story.”
Terri graduated from Warren Central Excessive College and Mississippi State College the place she acquired a bachelor’s diploma in communications with an emphasis in public relations.
Previous to coming to work at The Put up a bit greater than 10 years in the past, she did some freelancing on the Jackson Free Press. However for many of her life, she loved being a full-time keep at house mother.
Terri is a member of the Crawford Road United Methodist Church. She is a lifetime member of the Vicksburg Junior Auxiliary and is a previous member of the Sampler Vintage Membership and City and Nation Backyard Membership. She is married to Dr. Walter Frazier.
“From staying knowledgeable with native governmental points to listening to the tales of its folks, a hometown newspaper is significant to a neighborhood. I’ve felt privileged to be a part of a devoted workforce at The Put up all through my tenure and hope that with theirs and with native assist, I will proceed to develop and hone in on my expertise as I assist share the tales in Vicksburg. When requested what I like most about my job, my reply is at all times ‘the folks.’
Extra by Terri Cowart