Actress, producer, and entrepreneur Tracee Ellis Ross made a grand appearance at the 19th Annual Harlem's Fashion Row Fashion Show and Style Awards on September 8, 2026, marking a premier kickoff event for New York Fashion Week in New York City. Dressed in a dramatic black Fall 2026 Balenciaga couture tailcoat ensemble, Ross took the stage at The Glasshouse to deliver opening remarks as the debut cover star for HFR, the organization's new print publication. Her textured hair-care brand, Pattern Beauty, also served as an official sponsor for the evening, supporting Black fashion designers and industry talent.
Harlem's Fashion Row, founded in 2007 by CEO Brandice Daniel, is a pioneering platform dedicated to discovering, showcasing, and supporting fashion designers of color. The 2026 gala, themed "Peace by Piece," gathered prominent figures from fashion, culture, and entertainment to honor top designers, stylists, and editors while awarding over $100,000 in grants to emerging creative talent. Ross, who previously received Harlem's Fashion Row's Icon Award in 2015, expressed her pride in evolving from an honoree to an official brand sponsor, highlighting the importance of community and representation in the fashion industry.
The daughter of legendary Motown singer Diana Ross and music executive Robert Ellis Silberstein, Ross built a distinguished television career spanning over two decades. She first captured national attention starring as Joan Clayton in the hit sitcom Girlfriends. She later gained massive critical acclaim as Dr. Rainbow Johnson on the ABC comedy series Black-ish, earning five Primetime Emmy Award nominations and winning a Golden Globe Award for Best Actress in a Television Series Musical or Comedy.
Beyond her acting achievements, Ross is widely recognized as a prominent style icon and savvy businesswoman. In 2019, she founded Pattern Beauty, a hair-care brand specifically formulated for curly, coily, and tight-textured hair types. Under her leadership as CEO, Pattern Beauty has grown into a major commercial success available in retailers internationally. Ross is also celebrated for her bold red-carpet sartorial choices, frequently featuring work by emerging independent designers alongside global luxury houses.
Ross's prominent involvement at Harlem's Fashion Row sets a high tone for her appearances throughout New York Fashion Week and the fall entertainment calendar. As she expands both Pattern Beauty's global footprint and her creative production slates, Ross continues to leverage her platform to advocate for diversity and economic empowerment across fashion and media.
