HOW VICKSBURG’ S THRIVING ARTS SCENE IS SHAPING THE CITY’ S CREATIVE FUTURE
Cody Nelson performs at the Conservatory of the Fine Arts Fall Faculty Recital.
HOW VICKSBURG’ S THRIVING ARTS SCENE IS SHAPING THE CITY’ S CREATIVE FUTURE
The Four Seasons of the Arts hosting the Patriotic Concert at the Vicksburg Convention Center
Vicksburg is known for its rich history. But what some may not realize is that River City has a vibrant and active art community. From musicians to visual and performing artists to writers, Vicksburg is a community that embraces its creative side and champions those who keep it flourishing.
HOODVENCHY
As a fashion designer, Vicksburg resident Raymond Banks made his mark in the fashion world in 2018, when he launched his Hoodvenchy brand.
Inspired by the name of the luxury brand Givenchy, Banks said the name Hoodvenchy was intended to be a joke, but it turned out that his spoof on the designer label was well received, somuch-so it garnered him a spot on the New York runway.
“ At the time I started the brand, a lot of the higher clothing brands, like Gucci, Chanel, Prada, Louis Vuitton were doing what you call cultural appropriation— taking things from other cultures, and they were trying to bring it to the high fashion sector.”
In part, Banks said his branding was a reaction to trends of popular designers.
“ People think‘ hood’ sometimes has a negative connotation. But I say the best things happen in the hood— in the ghetto, in the impoverished areas where there ' s not a lot there, but they( people)
“ People think‘ hood’ sometimes has a negative connotation. But I say the best things happen in the hood— in the ghetto, in the impoverished areas where there ' s not a lot there, but they( people) have to make something. They have to make something out of nothing. But like I told people, this isn ' t their culture. It’ s a superficial thing. You can ' t take something that ' s not a part of your culture and brand it as something trendy because you don ' t know the basis of how it got there. So that ' s when I started Hoodvenchy.”
— Vicksburg resident Raymond Banks
have to make something. They have to make something out of nothing. But like I told people, this isn ' t their culture. It’ s a superficial thing. You can ' t take something that ' s not a part of your culture and brand it as something trendy because you don ' t know the basis of how it got there. So that ' s when I started Hoodvenchy.”
Expanding on the idea behind his
Hoodvenchy Fashion Show
A model shows off Hoodvenchy apparel.
2026 CHAMBER GUIDE • 39