By : Valerie T. Jones
The Ready Writer
Magic City Fashion Week is back for Season IV and paving the way for fashion and beauty creatives to push the agenda on sustainability because the world is watching. Splashed by DKG, Bib & Tucker Sew-Op, and a basic shop are headlining the eco-fashion theme for 2022.
Let’s meet Daniel Grier, founder of Magic City Fashion Week and his brand, Splashed by DKG.
Created in 2013, Daniel entreats people to Splash on the scene. Make a statement. Cause a stir. Be bold. His brand purposefully transforms thrift store troves into luxury streetwear. Fashion saved Daniel Grier. The owner and creative director of Splashed by DKG overcame depression and suicidal thoughts brought on by a positive HIV diagnosis. Daniel united his creative powers for streetwear fashion with his passion as a community educator to make a bold statement of rediscovery.
After volunteering for Nashville Fashion Week and Charleston Fashion Week, Daniel saw an inclusive ecosystem where creatives could work for themselves. He never made it to the runway for Birmingham Fashion Week. When it ended, he knew Magic City Fashion Week was necessary. After meeting the creator of New York Fashion week, Daniel gained a determination to use every obstacle as a motivation. In 2017, he and Derek DeAndre, gave birth to Magic City Fashion Week.
Bold protest art is how Daniel joined his advocacy for the HIV community with his desire to display the magical Birmingham natives. He was on track to become a medical professional, but God ordered his steps and directed his path. While studying to become a community health educator, his final project about HIV education was funded by a fashion show. Now he uses his fashion shows to dispel HIV stigmas and misinformation.
Since season one, Daniel received so many confirmations that MCFW was necessary. He is purposed to stand up for Black designers. COVID reengineered a sense of community and helped him figure out how to keep MCFW alive. Kenny Burns told him, “the money is printed. You just need to go find it.” That thought has fueled him to continue to provide the platform for creatives to find their voice and make a splash.