NBAF presents the 5th Annual Fine Art + Fashion

During 5th Annual NBAF Fine Art + Fashion runway show models donned pieces in a color prism starting at white and ending in black. Ken Downing, Fashion Director at Neiman Marcus, always wanted to capture the looks of spring using the colors of the rainbow and this year he was given the artistic freedom to make his vision a reality.  

“It was a fantastic chance to do the entire color wheel spectrum in bold high voltage colors. I never get a chance to do it and it is something I always wanted to do,” Downing says. “The first four girls are the only ones who had changes. The nails were dyed to match the outfit.”

L-R Jack Sawyer, CD Greene
Sandra Baccus, Danny Simmons,
    at the 2011 NBAF Fine Art + Fashion   
           Photo by Chris Mitch             

                                                                                        

Women rocked monochromatic looks including all white jeans paired with a white shirt and white leather jacket. The colors then slowly shifted from stark white to white and beige embellished with layers of pearl and gold accessories. Downing is a fan of the over done accessories popularized by the likes of Atlanta based rapper Trinidad James known for his hit "All Gold Everything."

“I love it. You can never wear too many accessories,” he says. “If you wake up and put on two pieces you are not waking up in Neiman.”

The host Committee and guest honored Sandra Baccus, a pillar in the Atlanta Arts community. Baccus is known for her outstanding support for the arts. Baccus' donations alone paid for more than 11 of the scholarships given to students pursuing the arts. During the 25th annual Fine Art+ Fashion, three students were presented with the M. Jack Anderson Emerging Talent Award, established by Baccus in honor of her brother .

The students who won the $3,000 scholarship are  SCAD, Salimi Akil a fashion design student at SCAD, and Alicia Akiram , a style lab student who is working closely with designer Mimi Plange on her senior collection at SCAD.

R-L Actress Nicole Ari Parker, event host,

 and fashion designer Azede Jean Pierre.

Photo by Chris Mitch

 

This year was the first year NBAF honored Baccus, who passed on February 5, 2012, by presenting Vicki and John Palmer with the first Sandra 
Anderson Baccus Legacy Award. The Palmers are one of the most influential couples in the Atlanta art scene and avid African-American contemporary art collectors. Palmer is a fan of NBAF honoree Iona Rozeal Brown and displayed a painting the couple owns during the soiree. Together the Palmers served as honorary chairs of the annual style showcase. The event benefits the NBAF and its programming. John Palmer was proud to announce the NBAF was $10,000 over it’s goal, but he couldn't help but acknowledge the sober tone at the 2013 event.

“She had a such a presence. She was quiet, yet extraordinary,” Palmers says about Baccus. "She had a passion and love for this organization . We miss her, so yes, things are different this year.”

The 20th Annual Fine Art + Fashion is on Wednesday,  April 29th at 6pm in Atlanta. To purchase tickets go to NBAF.org.