Written by | Ray Cornelius
NBAF (presenters of The National Black Arts Festival) held its 7th Annual Fine Art + Fashion event last night in Atlanta’s Neiman Marcus store at Lenox Square. The fundraising benefit is one of Atlanta’s most prestigious fashion presentations and recognizes extraordinary artists who have a positive impact on global fashion.
This year’s honorees included Neiman Marcus Senior VP and Fashion Director, Ken Downing, who received the Fashion Icon Crystal Star as well as visual artists Iona Rozeal Brown and Houston Llew, who were honored for their outstanding contributions to arts and culture. Past honorees have included Iman, Radcliffe Bailey, Danny Simmons and Project Runway judge Zac Posen.
Ken Downing with Emerging Talent awardees: Christian Harris , Alicia Akira and Salimi Akill
Atlanta power couple Vickie and John Palmer served as Honorary Chairs of this year’s event along with style maven and Event Chair, Millie Smith. The evening was hosted by TV and film actress Nicole Ari Parker and The Biggest Loser’s Dovett Quince. Celebrity guests included former NFL player Jerome Bettis, celebrity fashion stylist Patrick T. Cooper and reality-starlet/fashion diva Marlo Hampton.
Fine Art + Fashion provides major support for NBAF’s visual arts programs, related public programs and marketing support of major exhibitions. It also recognizes the work of cutting-edge, young designers through its M. Jack Anderson Emerging Talent Awards, which was established by the FA+F Chair Emeritus, the late Sandra Anderson Baccus.
Take a look at some photos from last night’s extravaganza:
Neiman Marcus’ Mark Fillion, Nicole Ari Parker, Dovett Quince and Ken Downing
Models strutted down the runway to the sounds of a remixed version of MJ’s “Man in the Mirror”
Former Steelers player Jerome Bettis, Dovett Quince and FA+F Honorary Chair John Palmer
all models were styled by Neiman Marcus’ Ken Downing
John Palmer, FA+F Event Chair Millie Smith, Mark Fillion, NBAF Board Chair Evern Cooper Epps and Guest
FA+F is attended by over 400 of ATL’s fashion, business and social influencers
Past Honoree Radcliffe Bailey, 2013 Honoree Iona Rozeal Brown and FA+F Honorary Chair John Palmer
Marlo Hampton having fun with the photographers
with Honoree Ken Downing and model
with hosts Dovett Quince and Nicole Ari Parker
Photography Credit/OPM Photography and Shawn Staton-Buddy Ro Media