Pictured (from left): Tia Wise, Maisha Webb, Nicole Best, Ebone Turner, Anthony James
The last time I met the crew of stylists and business owners that make up Fashion Empire and Mean Girl Style Boutique, I told them it seemed like they were part of an “underground fashion scene” in Harrisburg.
It was meant as a compliment. They were unique and fresh. The brands weren’t widely known in Harrisburg but were just beginning to emerge. Both storefronts had recently opened, and they were holding fashion shows and photoshoots.
But soon enough they might have to drop the “underground” thing.
Fashion Empire and Mean Girl Style Boutique are the spotlight of a fashion documentary, “Black Excellence,” premiering this weekend in the Soldiers Grove park in Harrisburg.
Artist and filmmaker Darius Davis came up with the idea for the documentary as he got to know business owners in the community. With the pandemic, police violence and division the nation was facing, he wanted to promote something positive.
He saw the unity and collaboration happening within the community of brand and business owners that are housed in Fashion Empire’s boutique in the Colonial Park Mall, along with Mean Girl Style in Steelton, and the story unfolded from there.
“As a people, there are so many things we have to overcome on a daily basis,” said Fashion Over Foolishness brand owner Ebone Turner. “Everything we touch turns to gold. I’m so happy we have this moment to shine.”
The film highlights eight businesses and brands including iROX BEAUTY, Mean Girl Style Boutique, Radiantly U, Beni Models Inc., Anthony James, Tia Lynnette Style, Gym Bullyz and Fashion Over Foolishness. They believe it’ll be one of the first fashion documentaries in the area.
It includes stories from the owners, original poetry, art and footage from modeling sessions in York and Harrisburg. Everything revolves around the theme of Black Excellence.
“Our Blackness makes us unique,” said Nicole Best of iRox Beauty. “It’s about being unapologetic. We don’t have to conform.”
The crew also touches on how COVID affected their businesses, forcing the owners of Fashion Empire to pivot and adapt shortly after opening in March 2020. Maisha Webb of Mean Girl Style had to do the same, getting creative with keeping her boutique afloat.
“COVID pushed us out of our comfort zones and made you realize what really mattered,” Best said.
The stylists will see the film for the first time with the public on Saturday. There will also be a fashion show and food vendors. Tickets for the event have sold out.
“We want people to be inspired and be successful as well,” said Tia Wise of Tia Lynnette Style.
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