Fabric of Freedom Juneteenth fashion show gives history lesson

TAMPA, Fla. — A group of seasoned fashionists who have been around for many of the eras of fashion over the last century are using that same fashion to commemorate the Juneteenth holiday. 

It’s part of The Fabric of Freedom, Juneteenth Fashion Show that was hosted by the Tampa Bay History Center at the new Black History Museum.

If there was ever a proper way to celebrate, Patsy Green can probably help you find an outfit for the occasion.

This year she’s taking her passion for fashion to honor the Juneteenth holiday, with models adorned in threads from her collection, highlighting every decade of the 1900s.

“As you know in the 1920s, we were all in swing and she was swinging along and we made a statement,” she said.

It’s a statement that she says shows the rich African-American history and their contributions to society, fashion and culture.

“I always like to say whatever is old is new again, so I’ve watched the revolution of fashion back in the 60s, which I’m apart of and remember well,” she said. “We wore the bell bottom pants, the hoop earrings. We wore the hip hugger pants and guess what all of that is back again.”

For, Green fashion has a way of repeating itself. But she said it’s important to teach the history about Juneteenth to make sure that history doesn’t repeat itself.

“The emancipation was signed in 1863, but many African-Americans didn’t even know it. They were still enslaved. So, when the word got to Texas, that was in 1865 and that is what we are now celebrating,” she said.

While they won’t be giving a traditional history lesson on this runway, the models are walking in their brightest, most colorful and memorable threads in a celebration so fitting, it deserves a red carpet.

The event was held Wednesday night at the museum.