It's dynamic and diverse, bold and colorful. It's street style and it's high fashion. It's sexy, soulful, athletic, and all about attitude. Explore how black style has evolved in New York City and how the hip-hop revolution has turned fashion on its head. Hip hop--today America's most important cultural export--has made black style big business, bringing attention to black designers and claiming a huge market of consumers--black and not--who have been eager to buy the latest in Black Style Now.

The exhibition is curated by Michael Henry Adams and Michael McCollom, and features examples of pioneering black design of the past and outfits by many of today's hottest African-American designers. On display are garments worn by black style setters such as Beyoncé, Sean "Diddy" Combs, LL Cool J, and Tina Turner, and couture created by black designers like Stephen Burrows, Tracy Reese, Jeffrey Banks, CD Greene, and Montgomery. Jewelry, accessories, footwear, and clothing by major hip-hop mega-brands are also on view, as are photographs of fashion icons past and present.

Evening Cocoon, 2005 Tanuki Coat, 1981

Stephen Burrows' World Jeffrey Banks

Photograph by Matt Flynn Photograph by Matt Flynn

Black Style Now is generously funded by The Time Warner Foundation.

Essence Magazine is the primary sponsor.

Supporting sponsors include Macy's, UNFORGIVABLE by Sean John, AKADEMIKS, ROCAWEAR, SEAN JOHN, and Diet Pepsi Jazz.

Additional funding provided by Altria Group, Inc.

Support from Josephine Day Spa, the Cultural Services of the French Embassy, and Sharon Y. Bowen is also gratefully acknowledged.

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