Photo Credits: Matthew Harris (IG: @scoobylx, ScyFlyCreations)

COVID-19 has largely derailed social events in Atlanta, and the world at large. However, as learn to live with the virus, here and there events are making a comeback.

The first autumn event falls to Kiid Fro’s “Vanguard Fashion Show,” and it was an event definitely worth talking about!

Grade: B-

The event took place Saturday night, October 17th, in a surprisingly stylish venue in Downtown Atlanta. There were a couple of socialites and notable members of the city’s Black LGBT community gathered to watch some of the latest fashion lines of the season. The show begin with a late start but was overlooked largely thanks to the venue’s tasty drinks–sangrias we believe–and great conversations with fellow Kontrol Magazine’s Lifestyle Editor, Byron Jamal, media personality, Imani Vanzap; a rising star and “auntie” of Atlanta’s Black LGBT community, “About Him’s” Brandon Karson Jordan, Outpour Media Productions LGBTQ owner, Antar Bush, and Carl Levonzell aka K $tarr, an actor, indie rapper, and hilarious radio personality.

When the show finally began, and in between intermissions, we were able to see some amazing pieces of fashion. Never before, have I been to show where I liked all of the lines, or even more so saw pieces that I can actually see everyday people wearing. All of the lines pulled off high fashion with their own touch of haughtiness with the functionality of “The Everyman” in mind. Nevertheless, the lines must be chastised for their lack of plus-sized male models. The diversity was blaringly lacking in that department. More brands are now embracing bigger men–Savage x Fenty, Target–and even New York Fashion Week had one plus sized male model. This is something we hope will be corrected in the future.

However, we must admit we loved Jae Amour’s “The Penthouse Collection” and Soomar’s lines the most. We are familiar with both their work and have seen nothing but growth in the right direction from these designers.

However, the event was marred, as aforementioned by tardiness, long intermissions between the presentation of the fashion lines, and sound issues which seemingly crippled what could have been a great opening performance–the Voice of Array has “The Range.”

We did like Kiid Fro’s handling of the media, he was respectful, hands on, and ensured any information needed was freely given or arranged–Atlanta take notes! Also he mirrored Issa Rae’s philosophy of “reaching across the table” to friends, family, and associates to get his event off the ground using them as performers, models, media, and staff.

Zoe Effect Black Z-Pack Bag

As a finishing touch noted guests were given Z-Packs as gift bags! These cute little bags definitely follow the trend in high mens fashion of now having little bags to compliment trendy outfits.

For this to be Kiid Fro’s first event earns him some major cool points. His general love and the admiration and respect he garners from his community is somewhat heartwarming and enviable. We will be watching. Kudos.

We are just 8 days away from DC FANDOME, our 24-hour first of its kind immersive global fan experience Featuring 300 stars, cast members, creators and crew.

One of those fans is Venus Williams, the women’s tennis pro with several Grand Slam titles under her belt. A known fan of Wonder Woman, this week EleVen by Venus Williams announced the launch of their limited edition Wonder Woman collection.

The fashion-forward activewear brand created by global tennis champion and entrepreneur Venus Williams, introduces the EleVen by Venus Williams x Wonder Woman Collection offering premium athletic staples that bring out the best in fierce women who are competitive, compassionate, and ready for anything life has to bring.

Just like Wonder Woman, EleVen women are every type of strong. They are powerful and beautiful, determined and confident, tough and compassionate. Every woman can see a bit of themselves in Wonder Woman, which is what EleVen celebrates with this “Wonder Woman x Eleven by Venus Williams” capsule collection. The collection will be available to shop on EleVenByVenusWilliams.com with two pieces – a windbreaker and jumpsuit  (images attached) – dropping exclusively via Complex at DC FanDome on Saturday, August 22^nd.

Americans and their love affair with sneakers is evident as ever with the sneaker retail giant, “Foot Locker,” reports booming sales as people spend their federal stimulus checks. The company previewed its second quarter sales and found them to be much higher than expected.

For many Americans the stimulus checks offer greater income than the jobs they were fired from or laid off from due to COVID-19. This “surplus” is being spent at malls and with online retailer, hence Foot Locker’s financial “come up.”

Shares of Foot Locker gained more 7% on the news. And Nike shares were up 4%, helping the Dow surge almost 300 points.

Foot Locker will release its second quarter sales on August 21st, showing an eighteen percent surge in stores opened for at least a year. Economic analysts initially expected a drop of about twenty percent in sales due to COVID-19.

via CNN

Sales were so strong because of “pent-up demand and the effect of fiscal stimulus,” Foot Locker chairman and CEO Richard Johnson said in a news release Monday.