Hey Cuties,
On Monday I told you today was going to be Curlfest Wednesday. Curlfest is an annual event that is put on by the Curly Girl Collective in Brooklyn New York. This event has been on my radar for a couple of years, but I’m just now making it. Bucket list checked! The event took place in Prospect Park in Brooklyn, New York.
I would describe Curlfest as a huge natural hair fashion show. Some of the biggest brands in the natural hair space were also in attendance. Each vendor offered a unique experience and DJ Devone provided a soundtrack of positive energy. They had games, giveaways, live demonstrations and more.
Mi, The Style Medic & Ty
Because it was 200,000 degrees outside in New York city we had to pregame some photos before our faces melted off. Our hotel was right next door to Freedom Tower so the balcony was the dopest backdrop.
Curlfest isn’t just about the hair, it is about the entire look. I was torn on what I would wear because hella hot and in the park. I quickly settled out on this top, it has a matching skirt, but this wasn’t that type of party. I paired it with a pair of denim shorts.
We took an Uber to the event and were greeted by a hella long line. It was legit a five minute walk to the front from where we entered the line; we weren’t even at the back of the line. Not going to happen, so I walked all the way to the front and skipped the entire line and went in. DJ C. Devone was setting the tone with some dope tunes; she kept the party going all day.
I took this picture before it got jam packed.
Mixing and mingling with the people.
Alikay Naturals
This lady was such a beauty, she was representing Alikay Naturals. I’m a fan of the brand, the lemongrass is incredible. I also started out on social media with the owner way back in the day. I love to see her kicking butt in the industry.
The Crew
We had our blankets and some grub in tow. They had food trucks available but with all of these people I knew the lines would be long. They were! We found a spot partially under a tree so we had some shade but it was still 2,000 degrees.
Tony “JosiesBoy” Gonzalez @josiesboy
They had several artist painting pictures all day long. It was dope to see their progress start to finish.
The finished product was so dope.
Ria @artist_ria
I have followed this young lady on social media for many years. I loved her work long before I knew she was the person behind it. Her work is so dope, it was nice to meet her in person and see her do her thing in person.
The crowd has grown a bit more.
Mi & Ty
It was hot, but we kept cool.
We found Dayna
We ran into the beautiful Dayna Bolden while we were there. There were so many people that I wanted to see and wanted to see me but it didn’t work out. There was zero cellular service in the park. WHY LORD! A lot of people I already know were there and some that I only know virtually were there. I had people commenting on my pictures about wanting to finally meet me, sorry y’all.
Hause of Swag
Hause of Swag (Sisters With A Grind) was there and I’m such a fan. They have the Dollhaus Project which is these dope dolls that are making sure we all experience representation.
Spike Lee
The legendary Spike Lee was there supporting the event. Spike has a film career that spans as far back as 1979, some of his most notable classics include School Daze, Do the Right Thing, Mo’ Better Blues, Jungle Fever, Malcolm X, and Crooklyn. She’s Gotta Have It came out in 1986 and as you see from their shirts it has been given new life. It was perfect for this event.
She’s Gotta Have it, A Spike Lee Joint
Spike has a deal with Netflix and She’s Gotta Have it will be out at Thanksgiving. The cast members were their to help promote the project. So dope! I can’t wait to check it out.
Final Thoughts: I had a good time, but I don’t know if I would go again. It was beautiful to see everyone there but it was also a bit chaotic.
Have you ever been to Curlest? Is it on your list of things to do? Chat with me in the comments below or FB, IG, and Twitter.
I have never heard of curlfest until your blog. This is so dope, and the art OMG. Is it the same time every year?
I believe it is Monique. Follow the Curly Girl Collective, they host the annual event.
Wow what a dope event I love Spike Lee. Nice top and the photos are on point I’m glad you had a good time.
Thanks, Ranesha. I love the print so much.
Every year I say that I am going to make it to Curlfest, and every year I forget to go! It looks like you had a lot of fun, despite it being 200,000 degrees. I also love those Afro-centric barbies, my babies will be getting some of those!
Chanel, that was my story too. The Barbies are so freaking dope.
See, I’m obviously living in the wrong part of the country! Mimi, you get to visit some of the coolest places. Love that shirt too!
Hahahhaa, you need to get out and see some things.
I would love to eventually visit CurlFest. If I had been in Jersey a little bit longer I would have been able to go. I love the artwork and would enjoy just being in a space with beautiful sisters. I also know about those NY summers so good job on finding some shade!
The summers will burn you all the way up. They made sure we were engaged.
Sounds like a fun event but from the chaos you speak of I dont know if I would be ready for that. I saw some pics on IG and it looks like it got really crowded
The older I get the more I don’t enjoy huge crowds. It can be a lot sometimes.
This is my 1st time hearing for CurlFest! I definitely want to attend next year. Gotta up my game lol 🙂 Great post!!
It is a must do. The hair the clothes, the experience are all one of a kind.
I was seeing so many post about this event! It’s definitely on my radar….. so many beautiful black people!
Kristin, you should do it at least once.
Wait…200,000 degrees had me cracking up!
I have never been to Curl Fest but I’ve been seeing all the pics on Instagram and your pics, as well, and it looks like so much fun!!
I’m so extra Ty. lol You should check it out at least once.
First off those sun glasses are dope!! I’m sad I missed Curlfest this year especially since I was in Jersey the same weekend but had too many things to do to go back and forth to the city. You all look great and I know it was amazing to be around all that beautiful melanin!
Thanks, Ashleigh. They are my favorite, people stop me on the street and talk about them all of the time. Oh wow, girl you were close.
Pretty dope event! It’s cool you got to see Spike Lee.
Yeah, it was cool to see Spike. I’ve watched his movies since I was a little girl.
Omg the photos. And the melanin. Amazing. Love all the photos you captured. Soooo beautiful. And you too Mimi <3. The artwork too. What a great event to attend.
Thanks, Karen. It was a parade of melanin for sure.
I was just chatting with my bestie about this event. I found out about it to late, but I’m definitely attending next year. Looks like it was an awesome event full of black girl magic!!!
Shantel, you gals will have a good time.
Girl I am so mad i missed it! I had plans but it was interfering with me returning back to the states. I am glad you made it and of course you and your curlfriends looks amazing!
Thanks Kiwi, you would have enjoyed it girl. Next time.
Ok so this just made my bucket list! Lord look at all that beautiful blackness.
Mimi is there anychance you could include a link to click for the dollhaus project, I would love to buy some.
Great post x
Here you go: http://hausofswag.bigcartel.com/dollhaus-project
That sounds like such an awesome event! I had no idea about it until I read this, but now it’s on MY radar!
It is a great event to have on your radar.
Love, love, love your top and shades! Hate that it was Hot as Hades. The artwork is amazing and man, what a crowd. Looks like a lot of fun, except for the heat and well, the large crowds.
The heat and large crowd make it tough. Thanks, I love to get dressed no matter what I’m wearing.
Looking forward to She’s Gotta Have It this fall. Big curls and little curls all kinds of great looking curls going on.
Me too, Candy.
Dope pics and you looked great!
-Nik of Curls And A Camera
#BLMGirl
Thanks Nik.
It looks like you had a great time! and yeah – I’m in NJ and it has been SO HOT HERE! You’re braver than me because I can’t go outside for 10 minutes right now 😉
I’m obsessed with those dolls – they are so incredibly cute!
Oh Heather, than you know the heat struggle.
Right, they are so freaking creative.
That looks like a very cool events that you went to. I most definitely would not qualify for it I have here that is so straight I think it straighter than a pin. It would still have been fun to explore this place though.
Hahahhaha, Natural is natural Jeanette. All are welcome and were out there.
This looks like such an amazing celebration of natural beauty! I love that Hause of Swag is creating dolls that kids can identify with and feel beautiful with. Growing up and being half-asian, I remember I had ONE barbie doll that looked a little like me (it was so hard to find black haired barbies back in the day) and that meant so much to me <3
That is exactly why I had to snap a picture. They are going to be the reason some little girl believes she is beautiful.
So cool that you got to check this off your bucket list. It’s neat that Spike Lee was there and I’m sure it was fun to connect with brands you loved.
Indeed, Spike Lee is iconic.
What a fun event! Those photos are so lovely and amazing. I’m sure that you had fun.
Despite the heat, it was a good time.
What a wonderful festival for everyone to get together and enjoy a common interest. Looks like everyone had a great time! 🙂
It was, it was nice to see so many come from so far.
That sounds like an interesting event. That top is super cute on you, and it was a perfect choice for that event.
Thanks, I thought it was very fitting as well.
I am glad you and your girlfriends had a good time at the event. It sure looked like a fun time. It is great that there are events like this, it would set a good example for kids to love and embrace their own uniqueness.
I totally agree, as kids you know we struggle with our images.
CurlFest looks like a blast. I can’t believe that art work. She is an incredible artist. It must have been so awesome to take some of the art home.
It was amazing to see the process all come together.
I would love to have been there. That looked like such a fun day.
You would have gone photography crazy. There was so much to capture.
I have never heard of Curliest before but it sounds like an event I would love to take part in. I am all about celebrating the unique beauty of women.
It was a total celebration of women.
Oh wow! It looks like you had a great time at Curlfest. What a fun festival!!
It was fun, although I’m convinced festivals aren’t my thing.
I do love the look of this event. Looks like you had an amazing time. I especially loved all the art that they were making out there. I must have been an incredible time.
The art was pretty freaking incredible.
Seems like a fun event! The heat and the crowds would have been too much for me.
Amanda the heat certainly beat us down.
First of all, you ladies looked fabulous. I mean *jaw – hit – floor* GORGEOUS.
That art is beautiful. I’m amazed that they were painting it right there in the middle of that heat! And that crowd. Now that is talent!
Thanks, Kimberly.
I was in awe myself, I can’t paint to save my life. However they were out there with the sun beating down on them.