NYFW House of Aama

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Scene: Spring/Summer 2022 collection, titled “Salt Water” was set in a fictionalized Black resort community called Camp Aama referencing the Black community’s seafaring legacy and beach havens they fostered. Through clothing, the House of Aama set the scene in a vacation community similar to ones that flourished in the early 1900s in the US.
“We really consider ourselves folklorists, telling sartorial stories through fashion” says co-founder Rebecca Henry.
Talent for the show: Hair by lead hairstylist Anthony Hernandez and team for Cutler/Redken, Makeup by lead makeup artist Maite Moreira and team for NY Makeup Academy, Fashion Stylist Tiffani Williams, Wardrobe Manager Audra Gooch assisted by Myles Colbert, Casting Director Dionne Cochrane, and Freehand New York was the venue.

Scene: The LA mother and daughter brand are inspired by Black folklore. Founded by Rebecca Henry, a practicing lawyer, and her daughter Akua Shabaka, who recently graduated from Parsons School of Design, House of Aama clothing is produced and manufactured in Los Angeles, California. 2021 CFDA finalists Rebecca and Akua are carving out a vital space in the industry for fashion born from the Black experience. House of Aama’s collection “Salt Water”, as a term, is an ode to the Africans who crossed the Atlantic Ocean and survived the middle passage to the Americas, Black sailors, and the water spirits of Yemaya, Olokun, and Agwe that have served as spiritual anchors of African traditions in the diaspora.
Scene: Debutante Silk Midi Dress.
Scene: Cocktail Beaded Silk-Linen Midi Dress.
Scene: Cut-Out Silk Charmeuse Gown.
Scene: Cut-Out Silk Charmeuse Gown with House of Aama x Gianni Lee Sea Spirit Scarf.
Scene: Henrietta Jumpsuit.
Scene: Tattoo Mesh Turtleneck with Sailor Pants, Unisex.
Scene: Azaka Button Up, Azaka Shorts with Embroidered Hat, Unisex.
Scene: Maroon Victorian Pussybow with Sailor Suspender High Waist Pants, Unisex.
Scene: Akua Shabaka fine tuning the outfit before the runway presentation.
Scene: Crochet Cotton Tank Top. The woven net designs are reminiscent of fishing sea nets that would have been utilized in a seafaring community.
Scene: Camp Aama Towel with Vintage Wooden Beaded Colorblock Swim Trunks.
Scene: Anthony Hernandez, lead hairstylist, placing the HOA x Gianni Lee Sea Spirit Silk.
“It is retro hair, 40s-60s Hollywood, inspired by black and white photos, the French Twist and Aretha Franklin.”
Scene: Akua Shabaka, wrapped in Camp Aama Cotton-Blend Sweatshirt, wearing Tan Nude Silk Halter and Skirt Set and Model wearing Tattoo Bodysuit with HOA x Gianni Lee Sea Spirit Silk Sarong.
Scene: Maite Moreira, lead makeup artist, putting on the finishing touches.
“40s-50s look, authentic and classic with black eyeliner, a defined cat eye. The black girls and women were the pioneers of this look.” 
Scene: Sundown One-Piece Swimsuit.
Scene: Clear Heels from Fashion Nova Los Angeles.
Scene: Gianni Lee Sea Spirit Button Down with Tattoo Mesh Turtleneck, Unisex.
Scene: Retro Ruched Bikini Set.
Scene: Tattoo Bodysuit with HOA x Gianni Lee Sea Spirit Silk Sarong.
Scene: Akua Shabaka wrapped in Camp Aama Cotton-Blend Sweatshirt and Rebecca Henry wearing Tan Nude Silk Halter, Skirt and Scarf Set before the show.
Scene: Altars of candles, photos, flowers, and other items. House of Aama clothing collection explores a different facet of Black history and culture, from their Creole spirituality inspired Bloodroot Heritage Collection to this Resort Collection, Salt Water.
“We definitely were a home that practiced a lot of different traditional African practices, as well as voodoo and conjurer work. I didn’t have a typical Black American experience, it was definitely more Southern-based, African-diaspora-based, working with nature and spirituality” said co-founder Rebecca Henry.
Scene: Detachable pockets Sailor Jacket, Sailor Pants, Tattoo Mesh Turtleneck, Sailor Agwe Chain Stick Embroidered Hat, Olokuns Kingdom Canvas Duffel Bag, and HOA x Gianni Lee Sea Spirt Flag. 
Scene: Gianni Lee Sea Spirit Button Down, Tattoo Mesh Turtleneck with Sailor Pants, Unisex.
Azaka Cabana Print Playsuit, Azaka Sailor Collar Top, and Azaka Cabana Midi Skirt and bag.
Scene: Azaka Button Up, Azaka Shorts with Embroidered Hat, Unisex.
Scene: Louise Strapless Dress.
Scene: La Sirene Bodycon Maxi Dress. “In exploring the seafaring legacy, we highlighted water spirits, including the African La Siren, who hails from Haite. She is the mermaid and a patron saint of sailors” said co-founder Akua Shabaka.
Scene: Sundown Cut-Out Silk Charmeuse Midi Dress and bag.
Scene: Azaka Cabana Print Playsuit, Azaka Sailor Collar Top, and Azaka Cabana Midi Skirt and bag.
Scene: Checkered Beaded Bikini Set.
Scene: Whispers! Sailor Crochet Cotton Maxi Dress and Cocktail Beaded Silk-Linen Midi Dress.
Scene: Stairway to the show at Freehand New York.
Scene: Gianni Lee and Aaron Ramey.
Scene: Artist Sydney Mikayla, Emmy nominated for ‘Trina” on General Hospital, ‘Wolf’ on Kipo and the Age of Wonderbeasts on Netflix.
She is wearing an Earnest Official, with rings by Dara Ettinger.
Scene: Sade Keinu and Tommy Playboy.
Scene: Doris McGarry.
Scene: Anike Thomas.
Scene: Gabriella Baldwin.
Scene: Lynn Yaeger, Contributing Fashion Editor to Vogue.com and a contributing writer to Vogue. She is a former reporter for The Village Voice, for 30 years with her column “Elements of Style” and contributes to other major publications. Yaeger is known for her eccentric personal style, powdered face and dark, cupid’s-bow lipstick as well as cutting her own hair. She is one of Marc Jacobs muses.
Scene: Friends Doris McGarry, Anike Thomas, and Gabriella Baldwin.

Special thanks to Helen Oppenheim, US Correspondent for Peluquerias Magazine, archivist, blogger, and hair historian, for asking me to collaborate during Fashion Week.