Aneka Brown and Living Every Day of Life Like You Are On A Runway
“Live every day of life like you’re on a runway”
Aneka Brown is a yet another example of the fashion talent that thrives in the desert. This year she will join the list of other local designers, such as Michael Costello and Trina Turk, to walk the runway at Fashion Week El Paseo on Sunday March 22. Her work will be central to the Le Chien Show, a fundraiser Animal Samaritans.
Aneka has been very involved in the local community. She and Keisha D’ cofounded the annual Black History Month Cultural event and Fashion Show. In addition, Aneka has been unwavering in her support of LQBT causes. She is also very passionate about African and Afro-American art. Her former gallery JJ&A popup featured African American artists including Charles Bibbs.
Aneka’s goal is inclusiveness not divisiveness. To her inclusive means all colors, ethnicity, religion, sexual identification, and size. At a time when many designers design for the size 4 crowd, Aneka designs for every person. She is known for her California Afro Chic, blending modern African themes, rich jewel tones, and calming California earth tones.
“Aneka Brown Designs debuted in 2015,”noted Aneka. “I am self-taught but my eye for color and design came naturally. I saw beauty in the rich colors of the vibrant colors of the African wax cloth and the lines of the eponymous California architecture. I saw the classic silhouettes and ultra-glam of style icons from Dorothy Dandridge to Grace Jones. I also see people of all sizes and understand that beauty is within not exterior only!”
Aneka’s collection is a reflection of that belief and “living everyday like you’re on a runway” is easy with her designs. For the center point of her collection Aneka uses Fair Trade African Wax Cloth. The designs vary from region to region. African Wax Cloth also known as Ankara and Kitenge. The designs are traditionally of African culture tribal patterns and motifs. The design, and even the color, was often indicative of a specific tribe and/or tribal status of the wearer. The cloth itself is created using the batik method of applying wax-resist dyeing whole cloth.
“I enjoy working with African Wax Cloth for so many reasons! I am utterly mesmerized by the vibrancy of the colors and the uniqueness of the prints. With Wax Cloth it is as if each print has its own story. It is an underused & appreciated gem!” said Aneka. “The material can be worn by anyone – men, women, children. It is not exclusive to one group.”
“Fashion Week El Paseo is very important to me. I am a resident of the Coachella Valley. This is my home. To be recognized by my hometown for my work is exhilarating. It will also give exposure to my work and allow me to expand my brand. It is a great vehicle to allow me to share my vision with people that are not familiar with my work. I am beyond gratefully for the opportunity to showcase my 2020 Collection, Concrete Jungle, in one of California’s most well respected Fashion Week showings.”
The 15th annual Fashion Week El Paseo runs March 20-28, 2020, at The Gardens on El Paseo in Palm Desert . Le Chien, benefiting Animal Samaritans, featuring the designs of Aneka Brown will be on Sunday, March 22. Cocktail Reception and Silent Auction starts at 5 p.m. The Fashion Show featuring Aneka Brown’s 2020 Collection Concrete Jungle starts at 6pm. The runway event will feature Handsome Hounds, walking with rescue dogs down runway alongside models accompanied by their own pups. Reserved seats are $100 and may be purchased at https://www.fashionweekelpaseo.com/le-chien-tickets.
On Monday, March 23, from 11:30 a.m.‒2:30 p.m., Aneka Brown will host a Trunk Show at Reception Tent at Fashion Week El Paseo. This event is free and open to the general public.
For more information on Aneka Brown visit http://www.anekabrowndesigns.com.
