Dionne Williams is the owner of D. Williams Public Relations & Event Management Group, specializing in public relations, brand strategy, experiential services, content creation, and event management. Based in Chicago, she is also the creator and producer of the Emerge! Fashion Show which takes place during New York Fashion Week.
Emerge! is one of the top collective emerging designer showcases during NYFW and is a catalyst providing a national platform for emerging designers. In addition, Emerge! provides representation for Black designers and allows these brands to showcase their work during NYFW, where they do not always have the opportunity to shine. This marks her eleventh year of producing the fashion show, “Emerging Designers” in New York.
Dionne recently became a member of the Costume Council of the Chicago History Museum.
N’DIGO is excited to share with its readers Dionne’s latest project “Supreme Models the Documentary.”
N’DIGO: How did Emerge! Fashion Show start?
Dionne Williams: I started it because I had a friend, Terri Stevens, who was a designer/contestant on the reality series Project Runway. When she came off the show, I was her guest during the final week and fell in love with the production of New York Fashion Week. I liked the shows but thought the production could be better to showcase these talented designers. I wanted to use my public relations and event planning skills to showcase her collection and other emerging designers.
What does one look for in an “emerging designer?”
The process starts with an application. Next, we look at the designer’s collection, their statement, and their story.
Where do you find the designers?
They come from all over the world. We did a show featuring African designers exclusively. It was their first opportunity to show their collections in the states. We look at what they designed and the story behind the brand.
What’s the backstory of Emerge! during Fashion Week in New York? What does it take to put on a show like this?
We have a large team. It consists of a hair and a make-up team of about 50. They are from Bennett Career Institute in Washington D.C. and are master class students. We also have 100-plus models, utilizing new and fresh faces. In addition, I have a production team to handle the front and back of the house. Everyone is emerging.
Why don’t you do the show in Chicago?
Because it is a showcase in New York during Fashion Week on a large platform, giving people who would not have a chance in the official show. We are providing an opportunity to showcase their talents in multiple ways. Fashion Week is every February and September.
How did you become involved with the Chicago Costume Council?
I got involved with Chicago Costume Council to ensure diversity programming and diversity initiatives. I want to ensure that we spotlight Black designers and the best way to do that is to be on the board.
What kind of things will you do in this capacity?
Bringing diversity, like the Supreme Models Project, the book, and the documentary, to highlight the contributions of Black models and how they revolutionalized the fashion industry. The Council is about history, the documentation of history.
On November 4th, The Costume Council is hosting a special screening of “Supreme Models the Documentary,” which follows the history of Black models’ role in the fashion industry. It features some of my favorite models, Iman, Beverly Johnson, Naomi Campbell, and the list continues.
Marcellas Reynolds, the author of Supreme Models: Iconic Black Women Who Revolutionized Fashion, is the creator, and he, along with legendary model Veronica Webb and Danny Dunson (Curator for the DuSable Museum), will host a panel discussion regarding the film moderated by Desiree Rogers.
This event is a perfect showcase. Marcellus Reynolds, is originally from Chicago.
How do you see Chicago as a fashion center?
Chicago is my base, and there are so many talented Black designers, in urban fashion, from luxury to urban street culture. We can be a leader in this industry, but we need resources and programs to showcase the talents of these designers. So many are not seen and only need opportunities.
How do you define style?
Style is individual; it’s all about the individual. It’s your personal taste that makes you comfortable and looks good. Style is your independent look.
What is your definition of fashion?
Fashion is art. The designer interprets inspiration and emotion and provides messaging through clothes. Fashion is a language.
Who are your favorite designers?
In Chicago, Terry Stevens, Alonzo Jackson, and Sergio Hudson.
