Compton Fashion Week and Juneteenth merged together to acknowledge the emancipation of slaves and pay tribute to Black young people through fashion, music and dance.
To illustrate that big things are happening in Compton, the city’s youth expressed their focus on the future and commitment to learning what it takes to get there. Their hard work and dedication was further demonstrated on the runway.
Dr. Fred Martin put on a spectacular fashion show with members of Kiz Club along with his Compton Modeling Agency youth in the ballroom of the Crystal Casino Hotel. Martin stated he founded both organizations.
Parents, residents, Councilwomen Lillie P. Darden, and Councilman Jonathan Bowers all came out to see Compton fashion at its finest. The Kiz club dancers started the show dancing to Michael Jackson’s “The Way, You Make Me Feel,” which elicited cheers of encouragement from the audience.
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“Growing up in Compton and seeing the lack of resources and what that can do – for instance kids ending up in jail – I wanted to create something substantial with career implications. We teach about the entertainment industry including singing, acting, dancing, and social justice,” said Martin.
“Recently one of our own, 19-year-old Ariana Garcia, ran for the District 4 seat as a write in candidate for City Council, making history,” he noted.
Regarding the Juneteenth celebration, Martin explained, “I want people to know they are free even though they don’t know it and bring culture together. I’ve been working with youth for 20 years.
“We were formerly known as Urban Entertainment Institute, which began in 2002 as a nonprofit designed to teach students music dance, music business. In 2018, we started the Kiz Club, which then formed the Compton Modeling Agency.”
Jacob Meir of The Stars Fashion House, a high-end fashion enterprise in Los Angeles, was among the designers that dressed the. The young women strutted beautiful evening gowns in various colors and prints while the young men donned everything from casual wear to cowboy hats.
Other designers included Octavia Anthony, Sincerely, Destine’s, Kimie, DNB Couture, Kings Morrelli, who showcased jumpsuits in pink and various other colors. Designers Mike Sylla and Shekhar Rahate dressed the models in haute couture gowns made of exotic fabrics and ornate colors.
Jayna Elise, a former top ten “American Idol” contestant, sang “Climb” by Miley Cyrus with the Kiz Club youth. Toward the end of the show, Kiz Club youth danced and sang to “California Love,” a hip hop song by American Rapper 2Pac .
“Compton Fashion week was an incredible gifted experience for me. Being able to showcase the Black history of Juneteenth has made me proud and grateful that I got to represent so much power,” said Miracle Bryant, who participated in the fashion show.
“I am happy I got a chance to be able to insert a mix of talent in such a wonderful fashion show such as the Compton fashion week after all the hard work paid off,” she added.
“Being a part of Compton Fashion week, felt like the start of a tradition that was not just about style, but about healing and empowering the Black community,” said Amarii Lee, another fashion show participant.
Also, Compton residents received information from Tatiana Roberts of JP Morgan Chase.
Compton’s Kiz Club is open to young people from ages from 8-24. The organization collaborates with Compton High School, Compton School District as well as some Inglewood schools.
To donate or learn more about the Kiz Club, call (888) 318-6668.
