Fashion Designers Application 2024
Bring your collection to the Juneteenth NYC runway. We are seeking innovative Black fashion designers — emerging and established — who want to share their creative vision with thousands of celebration attendees, industry professionals, and media representatives.
Why Showcase at Juneteenth NYC?
A platform built to amplify Black designers and connect them with audiences who value originality and cultural expression.
The Juneteenth NYC Fashion Show exists to provide a professional, high-visibility platform for Black fashion designers. Since its inception, the show has featured collections ranging from bold streetwear and Afrocentric prints to minimalist contemporary designs and avant-garde couture. Every designer brings a unique perspective, and that diversity is what makes our runway one of the most anticipated fashion events in New York City each summer.
Designers who participate receive far more than a runway slot. Our team provides logistical support including backstage coordination, professional lighting and sound, a curated audience of fashion enthusiasts and media professionals, and post-show press coverage through our media channels. Event photographers capture every moment, giving you high-quality images to use in your portfolio and marketing materials.
The fashion show is part of the broader Juneteenth NYC celebration, which means your audience extends beyond fashion-specific attendees. Community members attending the parade, the Black Kings dinner, and the vendor marketplace often attend the fashion show as well, giving designers access to an engaged, supportive, and diverse crowd.
Application Requirements
Collection Overview
Describe your collection in 200 to 500 words. Include the theme, inspiration, target audience, and number of looks. We want to understand your creative vision and how it connects to the cultural significance of Juneteenth.
Design Samples
Submit four to eight images of pieces from your collection or previous work. These can be professional lookbook photos, flat lays, or on-model shots. Sketches are also accepted for pieces still in production.
Production Readiness
Indicate how many completed looks you will present (minimum four, maximum twelve) and their production status. All garments must be fully finished and fitted before the dress rehearsal date.
Availability & Logistics
Confirm your availability for the model casting session, two fitting dates, the dress rehearsal, and show day. Designers are expected to be present for all scheduled events.
Selection Criteria
Our fashion committee evaluates applications based on originality, craftsmanship, collection cohesion, and alignment with the spirit of Juneteenth NYC. We are not looking for any single aesthetic — we celebrate the full spectrum of Black fashion, from traditional African textiles to contemporary streetwear to high fashion evening wear.
Emerging designers with limited runway experience are strongly encouraged to apply. Many of our most memorable shows have featured debut collections from designers who were presenting for the first time. Our production team works closely with selected designers to ensure they are prepared and supported throughout the process.
Model Assignment
Selected designers are paired with models from our model applicant pool. You will have input in the casting process, and our coordinators work with you to match models whose measurements and presentation style complement your collection. If you prefer to bring your own models, that is also an option — just note this in your application.
Post-Show Opportunities
Participation in the Juneteenth NYC Fashion Show opens doors beyond the runway. Designers have gone on to receive press features, retail partnerships, and invitations to other fashion events. Our media team promotes each designer before, during, and after the show, and professional photography is provided for your use.
We also encourage designers to nominate community leaders who have supported their work or inspired their creative journey. The Black Kings program recognizes individuals who uplift others, and your nomination could help someone receive the recognition they deserve.
Ready to take your designs to the stage? Complete the application and let your collection tell its story on the Juneteenth NYC runway. For general event participation, visit our registration page.
Join a Legacy of Black Fashion Excellence
Over the years, the Juneteenth NYC Fashion Show has become a launchpad for Black designers who go on to achieve remarkable things. Our alumni include designers who have shown at New York Fashion Week, launched successful e-commerce brands, and been featured in major publications.
This is not just a local event — it is a movement that amplifies Black creativity and provides real career opportunities. By applying, you are joining a community of designers who believe in the power of fashion to tell stories, challenge perceptions, and celebrate heritage.
The Juneteenth NYC Fashion Show is waiting for your collection. Show us what you have been creating.
Building Your Collection for the Juneteenth NYC Stage
Practical and creative guidance for designers preparing to present at one of New York City's most celebrated cultural fashion events.
Presenting at Juneteenth NYC is a distinct creative challenge and opportunity. The audience is not a traditional fashion week crowd — it is a community gathering with deep cultural investment in what Black designers create and present. Collections that speak to lived experience, cultural heritage, personal identity, or the themes of freedom and excellence tend to resonate most powerfully. Designers who have participated consistently describe the Juneteenth NYC audience as the most emotionally engaged they have ever performed for.
This does not mean every collection must be explicitly tied to historical or cultural themes. Contemporary streetwear, sleek minimalist designs, bold experimental pieces, and everyday clothing elevated through craft and intention all have a place on the Juneteenth NYC runway. What matters is that the collection feels authentic to you as a designer and that you can speak to its meaning and inspiration. The application asks you to make that case, and the committee responds to honesty and clarity of vision.
Practical preparation is equally important. Runway presentations require garments that are not only visually compelling but also wearable and production-ready. All pieces must be fully constructed, fitted, and ready for dress rehearsal by the deadline. Alterations needed on show day create stress for models, backstage staff, and the production timeline. Submit a realistic assessment of your production readiness in the application, and if you have concerns about completing all pieces in time, discuss this with our production team early rather than late.
Technical Production Notes
The runway at Juneteenth NYC is typically 40 feet long with a T-shaped extension into the audience area. Lighting is professional-grade, designed to complement a wide range of fabrics and colors. The production team can discuss specific lighting needs for collections using reflective, sheer, or deeply saturated materials — contact us early if your collection has special requirements.
Sound design is coordinated with designers in advance. You may submit a music playlist for your segment, which our sound team will mix and time to match the pace of your presentation. The typical segment runs six to ten minutes depending on the number of looks. Each look has approximately 45 seconds on the main runway, with timed entrances and exits managed by backstage coordinators.
Backstage space is organized by designer, with each participant receiving a designated prep area for dressing, steaming, and organizing their garments. Backstage coordinators are assigned to each designer to help manage the flow. Rack space, steamer access, and mirror availability are limited, so arriving for your scheduled backstage setup time is essential.
Growing Your Brand Post-Show
The Juneteenth NYC Fashion Show is a launching pad, and many designers have leveraged their participation into substantial business growth. The keys to maximizing the post-show opportunity are preparation and follow-through. Before the show, ensure your website, social media, and contact information are current and professional. During the show, engage with the audience and be present and accessible to people who approach you.
After the show, follow up promptly with buyers, press contacts, and other professionals who expressed interest. Our media team will tag your social accounts in official event coverage — monitor these and respond to engagement. The window of heightened visibility following the show is relatively brief, and designers who are active and responsive during it tend to see the most sustained results.
Consider submitting your work to the community nominations program for recognition beyond the runway. Designers who have made exceptional contributions to Black culture and community are recognized at the Black Kings dinner, and your participation in the fashion show demonstrates exactly the kind of cultural investment the nominations program honors.
Juneteenth NYC's Commitment to Black Designers
The fashion show exists because the Juneteenth NYC organization believes that Black creativity deserves a professional stage — not as a niche market or a diversity initiative, but as a centerpiece of cultural celebration. This conviction shapes every decision we make about the show: who we invite, how we present collections, what support we provide to designers, and how we communicate about the work being shown.
We are committed to providing a production quality that honors the caliber of the designs being shown. Lighting, sound, photography, and venue are all selected to present Black design at its best. We work with Black production professionals, stylists, and photographers throughout the process, ensuring that the experience of being a Juneteenth NYC designer is one of being fully seen and properly supported.
The relationship between Juneteenth NYC and its fashion show designers is ongoing. We stay connected to the designers who have shown with us, promote their work through our channels year-round, and prioritize returning designers who wish to participate in future shows. Our alumni network includes designers at every stage of their career, from those who have gone on to national and international recognition to those who continue to build their brand in New York City's rich creative ecosystem.
If you are a Black designer with a collection ready for the world to see, the Juneteenth NYC runway is waiting for you. Submit your application through the registration page, learn about the full scope of the fashion shows program, and consider reviewing the model application if you are also sourcing talent for your collection. The 2024 show is shaping up to be one of our most ambitious and celebrated editions yet.
Submit Your Designer Application
Applications for the 2024 Juneteenth NYC Fashion Show are open. We cannot wait to see your collection.