Can’t get enough of Fashion Week? Check out LA’s own Equality Fashion Week 2024 with our inside scoop from one of the models, Kent Burns!
Hosted by NiK Kacy, Rose Garcia, and Notable Queers and Allies, EFW 2024 Unites the LGBTQ+ Community in a Powerful Display of Inclusivity and Resilience in May of this year.
In an awe-inspiring testament to the strength and unity of the LGBTQ+ community, Equality Fashion Week® (EFW) 2024 was its most successful event to date. Spanning four unforgettable days from May 15-19, EFW 2024 transcended the boundaries of fashion, becoming a profound celebration of diversity, empowerment, and community.
EFW 2024 began with a spectacular Opening Party at Hotel Ziggy. Followed by The E3 Summit at Fan Girl Cafe, held on the second day, which provided a safe and welcoming space for a full day of heartfelt conversations and insightful discussions on the multifaceted queer experience.
Then, the main event. The Fashion Show was the dazzling highlight, held at the luxurious West Hollywood EDITION. With 10 groundbreaking LGBTQ+ designers from across North America and over 100 diverse models, the runway became a powerful stage for visibility and inclusion.
“You could feel the excitement and the community in the air” as models arrived in the morning for hair by Kevin Murphy Hair, makeup by the inclusive and comprehensive Official EFW Beauty Team, under Makeup Director, Daniel Rose, and of course last looks with the designers before rehearsals.
“I was fortunate enough to walk for two designers, Living Legend designed by Jovan Wolf and Bad Burro designed by Huizar. Both collections were so stunning and completely different. Bad Burro was all about having fun and being playful as we blur the lines of fashion. While Living Legend’s mission is to empower your own inner legend as you walk into your power.”
Hair Styling by the Kevin Murphy Team with Leland Olson making the high tight pony quick change happen live during the runway
The event featured live performances by award-winning musician Chihsuan and artist Yaarrohs, with custom soundscapes by music director Little Dinosaur. The runway came alive with pride and authenticity, especially with appearances by icons like Marcella Detroit of Shakespeare Sisters, Jazzmun, and Rosie O’Donnell, who had a front-row seat! Awards presented to Mother Karina Samala and Emerging Designer ArmaniDae added emotional depth to an already unforgettable evening.
With rehearsals concluded, it was time for lunch then final touch ups as guests began to arrive. “It was beautiful how Nik Kacy was giving this incredible opportunity to so many people. Throughout the day, people in every department were expressing how this was their first runway. Additionally, from those who were seasoned professionals, many expressed this was the first runway they could fully be themselves without worry. It was nothing, but joy.”
Makeup Artist Melanie Radu blows out a smokey red look that worked perfectly for both collections
After the red carpet, and all the attendees were seated – it was showtime! From uplifting speeches from the mastermind behind all of this, Nik Kacy, to recognizing each designer before their collections walked; the good times kept flowing. All of which was captured by renowned photographer, Kelly Balch, and her team.
First up for Burns was Living Legend by Jovan Wolf!
Photography: Kelly Balch
Living Legend Collection at Equality Fashion Week by Jovan Wolf. (Lady London, Hamzeh Daoud, Minh Nguyen, Jovan Wolf, Kent Burns, Mother Karina, Alice Tsui, and others) Photo Credit: Willa Salam
One quick change later, Burns was back on the runway for Bad Burro by Huizar:
Photography: Kelly Balch
Bad Burro Collection at Equality Fashion Week by Huziar. (Crystal Calabria, Kent Burns, Luis Cornejo, Justine Rhoger, Sir Loose Clarita, Huizar, Darien-James Kawayt, Minh Nguyen, Alexander Concas-Rivas, and others ) Photo Credit: Willa Salam
The heart and soul of EFW 2024 was its partnerships and sponsors. The collaboration with Hotel Ziggy, The West Hollywood EDITION, and Fan Girl Cafe provided EFW with the perfect locations to create safe and welcoming spaces in a town where location is everything. Partnerships with Kevin Murphy and The Dress Code Project, support from Angel City Football Club enabled the addition of the E3 Summit at Fan Girl Cafe, amplifying the event’s educational impact.
Essential backing from LA County Third District Supervisor Lindsey Horvath, the City of West Hollywood, and long-standing supporters like AHF, APAIT, The Dinah, Morgan Stanley, QueerUp Agency, and new sponsors like Kelly Balch Images, Goorin Bros., Meta Prosper, WHCC, Triple Pocket Events, Outwords, Famm, PFLAG, Phluid Project, and LAGLCC, among many others, ensured the event’s success, making it a shining beacon of representation and empowerment.
EFW 2024 was more than a fashion event—it was a heartwarming and transformative experience that left an indelible mark on everyone involved. Participants and attendees alike expressed overwhelming gratitude and emotional resonance, describing the event as the most supportive and community-driven fashion show they had ever experienced. The sense of togetherness was palpable, as people from all walks of life came together to support a cause greater than themselves.
Significantly, Equality Fashion Week 2024 gained so much local recognition, major luxury & fashion brand, Ralph Lauren, hosted the models and designers in the Rodeo Drive store at the end of June to talk about ways for their store and brand to become more inclusive. After having a thorough discussion and learning about Ralph Lauren’s history, the brand gifted everyone polos – the forever staple of Ralph Lauren.
L: Kent Burns with photographer, Kelly Balch, both in Ralph Lauren Purple Label. BR: Models & Designers from Equality Fashion Week 2024 with the Ralph Lauren Staff and Nik Kacy
