Did you know that Poetic Justice participated in BET’s first fashion show which was was hosted here in Los Angeles, CA? You may have heard of the BET Experience, a lively festive event hosted by Black Entertainment Television (better known as the BET Network). Annually, the community and celebrities joins together for few days to partake in what could be described as the ultimate block party with Snoop Dogg dunking on Justin Bieber in one room and live performances from Jill Scott in the other. The latest Los Angeles food trucks pulls into the convention center to add flavor to the festivities. The year we participated, there was a dance-off and a film festival. Not only did the entire city of Los Angeles come to L.A. Live to take part in the jamboree (which lead up to the BET Awards), people flew in from around the country to get a taste of the action.

 

Our team was approached for an invitation-only premiere event for the weekend. BET’s first runway show. We met personally with Anita Thompson, the Vice President of BET at the time, who would work personally with our PR Team and BET’s event team to pull off this never-before-experienced event.

After BET extended their personal invitation to our team they were thrilled with what Poetic Justice brought to the table. They saw something particularly special. This was BET’s first fashion show specifically for up-and-coming black fashion designers. Previously, they never felt that they had enough brands and content to do a legitimate fashion show, so they were really excited about Poetic Justice. While they had some smaller, local designers and select evening wear, Poetic Justice offered a full assortment of denim and sportswear, and BET had never had that range of selection for their events before. Poetic Justice was a full, comprehensive line. More importantly, we were made for their audience.

 

We spent weeks casting models, fitting the garments, selecting the music, and styling the final looks. When the time came, hundred of attendees from celebrities, fashion bloggers, fashion editors and the community piled into an auditorium near the convention center.Even Sheila Johnson the co-founder of BET (and quite honestly #LIFEGOALS as she’s also the first African American woman to become a billionaire) was in attendance with her husband, and was a part of the event.

Poetic Justice BET Fashion Show

Our fashion show aired on the jumbotron in the middle of L.A. Live near the Staples Center, flashing in front of thousands of people that were in town for the BET event: celebrities, corporate co-sponsors like AT&T and Coca-Cola, and the community.  Everyone who was anyone would know about Poetic Justice, the apparel line made specifically for women with curvy hips, thighs and backsides.

 

 

 

We followed our event with 30 x 30 pop up shop where attendees could touch and purchase the styles that they fell in love with during the show. We handed out 1000s of tees, and we provided our celebrity guest attendees with swag bags with tees, goodies and gift cards for their own pair of Poetic Justice jeans. (So you may own the same pair of jeans as your favorite singer!) This was an event to remember, and it was a joy seeing so many people find relief that finally a fashion brand would include them and would be made for both their culture and their curves.