After a five-year hiatus due to the Covid pandemic, the Bloom Runway is set to make a triumphant return on June 21, 2023, with an event themed “Dynasty IX: Crowned in Legacy.”
Founded in 2017 by Abibat Durosimi in Portland, Bloom Beauty Collective initially focused on event production within the fashion industry.
Durosimi’s vision was to uplift Black and brown creative entrepreneurs, drawing on her two decades of experience in the beauty and entertainment sectors.
As Bloom Beauty Collective evolved into the Bloom Agency, it expanded its services to include managing talent such as hair stylists, makeup artists, and models, as well as conducting workshops aimed at enhancing diversity, equity, and inclusion within the industry.
“We create a platform for Black and brown voices to be heard,” Durosimi states, emphasizing the importance of authentic representation in branding.
The Bloom Runway was first launched to showcase emerging designers and boutiques but faced challenges when the pandemic halted events in 2020.
Until that time, the Bloom Runway had gained popularity, and now, with renewed passion, the collective is ready to bring back this vibrant event.
Set in conjunction with the closing of Juneteenth week, the upcoming fashion show promises to deliver style, substance, and soul, reflecting the legacies of BIPOC designers.
Scheduled for Saturday, June 21, at the Melody Ballroom in Portland, the show will feature not only local fashion companies but also the work of students from the Portland Fashion Institute.
In addition to the runway showcase, the event will include a marketplace featuring brands owned by Black, Indigenous, and people of color.
There will also be a spoken word performance by Mac Smiff, accompanied by dancer Ola Onipede, followed by a post-show dance party with DJ Solo.
One of the featured companies at the event is Black Earth United, founded by Jocelyn Rice, who specializes in outdoor apparel that embodies the Black American experience.
Rice, who has over a decade of experience in the outdoor industry, expresses her excitement about showcasing her second collection at Bloom Runway.
“It’s great to be able to come and showcase my second collection,” Rice notes, highlighting the blend of bold colors and elements reflecting “Black joy” in her designs.
Her upcoming collection incorporates colors drawn from Afrocentric palettes, such as reds, blacks, yellows, and blues, symbolizing resistance, creativity, and spiritual richness within the community.
Durosimi highlights the significance of timing the Bloom Runway just after Juneteenth, a federal holiday observed on June 19 in recognition of the emancipation of enslaved individuals in the United States.
“The main reason why we’re doing it around Juneteenth is to celebrate our culture,” she explains.
The event aims not only to acknowledge the historical traumas associated with Juneteenth but also to celebrate the accomplishments and pride of the community today.
Including students from the Portland Fashion Institute in the showcase is a way to demonstrate how to celebrate and uplift one’s heritage, Durosimi points out.
“The fact that we’re doing it right at the tail end of Juneteenth is just a great ending of how we should celebrate ourselves,” she adds.
The Bloom Runway “Dynasty IX: Crowned in Legacy” will take place Saturday, June 21, at 615 S.E. Alder St. in Portland.
Doors open at 6 p.m., with the show kicking off at 7 p.m.
Tickets are priced between $40 and $140, offering an opportunity for everyone to participate in this celebration of culture and creativity.
For more information and to purchase tickets, visit tickettomato.com/event/9383/bloom-runway-dynasty-ix.
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