Fe Noel Took Us to Grenada to Close Out New York Fashion Week 2020

Asia Milia Ware

Updated February 14, 2020 at 12:38 PM·3 min read

A runway show is no easy feat, but Brooklyn-based, Grenada-born designer Felisha Noel gracefully made her presence known at New York Fashion Week 2020. Noel closed out the week with her brand Fe Noel, transporting her guests to Grenada.

Although this was her debut show, Noel has previously shown collections in collaboration with Harlem’s Fashion Row during Fashion Week, and her designs have already been worn by the likes of Beyoncé and Michelle Obama. Over the years, Noel has cultivated a major group of supporters and fans of the brand, many of whom were present at the show. Guests trickled in with excitement as the sounds of crashing ocean waves played and a screen displaying palm trees and beaches was shown on the runway.

The start of the show was unlike any other. There was a celebratory spirit that lived in the room that not many shows have. The show started with a short film, which introduced the audience to a bit of Grenadian tradition and the collection, “Daughter of the Soil.”

“In this video, we are using #JabJab culture as an artistic expression and metaphor to represent freedom and the struggle you endure on the path to becoming your true self,” Noel explained in an Instagram caption. “It’s the struggle of all of us discovering ourselves and what we are made of and the beauty that is birthed in spite of.”

Daughter of the Soil is a tribute to becoming your authentic self, one that makes the ancestors proud. It was a chilling film to watch, but it set the tone for the show, and everyone knew from the get-go we were in for a celebration of Grenadian culture.

From the signature Fe Noel wide-leg pants adorned with colorful stripes to plaid co-ord sets and romantic silk dresses, the entire collection was art. It was colorful, feminine, and expressive. The robes in the collection were vibrant, with printed patterns that left you eager to visit the islands. There were dreamy sheer fabrics, mint plaids, and vibrant reds that all payed homage to Noel’s roots. Just by seeing the clothes and its craftsmanship, you could feel how proud she was of her ancestry through the designs.

The hairstyles for the show were as carefully crafted as the garments. Some models donned their natural short cuts, while others rocked two straight-back, long cornrows. Naeemah Lafond, the hairstylist for the show, said the “spiked braid” style was “born on the beach in Grenada last year.” These hairstyles were the perfect touch — reminiscent of the messy, salty hair a few days into a vacation. It may be unruly, but when paired with the right garbs, it can look phenomenal.

The final look was a flirty yet vibrant lime green ruched maxidress that garnered immediate applause. I’m almost certain that everyone who left the show was ready to jet off to an island to experience Caribbean pride.

If you're in the market for some eye-catching, feminine looks, the collection is already available to shop on fenoel.com. If you're ready to hit the islands (even in spirit), you can shop the best looks from the runway, here: