The Black Library of Monticello held its inaugural Fashion Show Fundraiser to a crowd of around 40 spectators on Saturday, February 17.

The fundraiser event featured exclusive designs crafted by seven local Sullivan County designer visionaries. Visitors lined up alongside the main lobby walkway and watched as local models wore and showcased designers’ pieces from nearly half a year in the making. 

The designer brands showcased were as follows:

• Supesu - Designer: Eli Rivera

• AZIM Clothing - Designer: Darius Rodgers

• MadeByMXSM - Designer: Samantha Monroy

• Collection: PALETTE , a capsule collection by TigerCrane - Designer: Malik Bridges 

• ROTOFOREVER Brand Clothing Co. - Designer: Tyron Walker 

• Sustainably Slaying - Designer: Dara Perlman

• Chantay Cucuta, CEO of Chantey’s Haircare Collection did hair for the event, and also assisted in organizing the event.

Visitors to this ticketed event were also given the option to purchase a raffle ticket for some items showcased by the designers. For example, one such item was a handbag made from a denim skirt. These raffle tickets went towards raising funds for the Black Library.

According to the Black Library’s website, the designs were diligently crafted every day on location, and the event is a testament to their dedication and innovation over the past five months.

“We’re just hoping to enact some social and cultural change; give people something to do on a Saturday night,” said Cedric Davis, one of the co-hosts. “We want to keep these programs going, so thank you. The support means a lot.”

The Black Library, located in the former KeyBank building, opened last August with some assistance from the Hurleyville Performing Arts Centre (HPAC).

Co-founded by Douglas Shindler and Michael Davis, the Black Library is a community art space that centralizes the celebration of Black history and culture.

“We appreciate all the time and effort that went into this production and are proud to present programs and positive alternatives for our community to come together and celebrate each other,” said co-founder Michael Davis. “We’re looking forward to creating more inclusive and community forward fundraising opportunities.”

“I feel as though the night went even better than we expected. I am so proud of the work we have done at The Black Library, and what we have accomplished over the last year and a half,” said Douglas Shindler, who co-founded The Black Library. 

“We really appreciate all of our designers and models for committing so much time and putting in so much effort to make our fashion show as great as it was.”