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Photo by Gracelyn Baggett: Sun Kissed Imagery

Featured Article

Freedom in Fashion

Juneteenth Runway Honors Legacy and Style at Legacy West

Article by Ken G. Crawford

Photography by Gracelyn Baggett: Sun Kissed Imagery & Joseph Rivers: Jay Sonata Photography

Originally published in Plano City Lifestyle

Under the Texas twilight, fashion, freedom, and Black joy took center stage at Legacy West. The 2025 Juneteenth Fashion Show, held in the Lexus Box Garden and produced by Leah Frazier and Think Three Media, honored 160 years since emancipation with the powerful theme: We Are One.”The event united the community in a vibrant celebration of Black excellence, culture, and creativity.

Hosted by beloved media personalities Lady Jade and Mike Shawn, the evening included live music from RC & The Gritz, a runway dance-off led by Coach O, a moving performance by Clover the Violinist, and a lyrical ballet by Lillian Wamsley. Miss Texas 2024, Annette Addo-Yobo, was also in attendance to congratulate organizers and show her support.

A diverse crowd gathered to honor the legacy and contributions of Black Americans through the visual language of fashion and the performing arts. Professional designers showcased collections alongside student designers from Cedar Hill High School, blending generations of creativity and bold expression.

From nostalgic HBCU-inspired looks to modern streetwear, sleek resort wear, and show-stopping couture, the runway affirmed North Texas as an emerging hub for Black fashion. Headliner Vinny Etienne of LeVenity—whose designs have graced icons like Beyoncé and Cardi B—anchored the show with a powerful final collection. Many designers drew inspiration from this year’s Met Gala theme, Superfine: Tailoring Black Style, while others paid homage to Dallas’s own Erykah Badu.

Juneteenth’s symbolic white attire was also honored, tracing back to Sally Tate, a formerly enslaved woman who wore white to represent hope, freedom, and new beginnings. Proceeds benefitted the National Juneteenth Museum, tying the evening’s celebration to historical legacy. The evening reminded us, “Until we are all free, none of us are free.”

“We’re not just here to watch clothes go down a runway,” said Lady Jade. “We’re here to tell our story. To honor freedom.” Share them. Wear them. And mark your calendar now for 2026.

The full list of designers, vendors, and performers can be found on Legacy West’s Instagram: instagram.com/reel/DLI_Xu5yeyg