Black Designers Get the Spotlight in New Pratt Show

The work of designers who dress pop star Rihanna and First Lady Michelle Obama is in a new show in New York City.

Dresses by LaQuan Smith and Byron Lars are part of an exhibit highlighting ten New York-based black fashion designers at the Pratt Manhattan Gallery.

Adrienne Jones, fashion professor at Pratt Institute, co-curated the show. In this interview, she said the exhibit also features the work of Tracy Reese, who is part of Fashion Week, currently underway. "I believe she is one of out two black designers showing in Fashion Week. And we've got ten here. So there is room, there is room for more," Jones said. "Hopefully this show will say, get out the way, or move out the way and give us a chance."

Other designers featured in the show include Jeffrey Banks, former “Project Runway” contestant Samantha Black, fashion innovator Stephen Burrows and Harlem-based artist and entrepreneur Donna Dove. The exhibit also includes a video by artist Carrie Mae Weems.