The late Dorothy Brasfield accompanies the Vicksburg Orchestral Society in concert.
brand’ s name, Banks said,“ You want to take something from us? I want to take something from you. If they want to be attached to us, then I’ m going to make sure they are. So I looked at Givenchy’ s name and other designer names— and started chopping them up.”
Banks dropped the first two letters of“ Givenchy” and added Hood.
Since launching Hoodvenchy, Banks has participated in more than 100 runway shows, including New York Fashion Week and shows in Los Angeles, Atlanta, Nashville and other major cities. Banks, who has a master ' s degree in fashion management from Parsons School of Design in New York, credited the late Patrick Kelly, also a Vicksburg fashion designer, as being the person who inspired him to enter the field.
Kelly gained notoriety in France and in 1988, became the first American to be admitted to the Fédération de la Haute Couture et de la Mode— the governing body of the French fashion industry. His list of clients included Grace Jones, Princess Diana, and Betty Davis.
“ He paved the way for a lot of fashion designers. He was definitely a pioneer,” Banks said.“ He was a pioneer who( didn’ t) get all of his accolades.”
Banks said Hoodvenchy is a unisex brand of clothing.
“ Everyone and anyone can wear it. I don ' t focus on one gender because clothing and fashion isn ' t a gender. It doesn ' t have a specific gender role. I say if anyone puts it on, they look good in it. Hey, so be it. Wear it. Have fun with it.”
Hoodvenchy apparel can be purchased at Hoodvenchy. com.
CONSERVATORY OF FINE ARTS
Dorothy Kenna Brasfield had a vision to offer a fine arts program to the community as an outreach program through the Church of the Holy Trinity, an Episcopal church founded in 1869. In 2006, Brasfield’ s vision became a reality when the Conservatory of Fine Arts opened.
It has since become the Dorothy Kenna Brasfield Conservatory after Brasfield ' s death in 2024 with Cody Nelson now serving as its director.
Vocal students take a break between songs at the Conversatory of the Fine Arts.
Matt Killen, right, instructs young trumpet player Luca Diaz at the Dorothy Kenna Brasfield Conservatory of the Fine Arts
The Vicksburg National Military Park, also known as the“ Art Park of the World,” boasts approximately 1,380 monuments, markers, tablets and plaques that make it one of the more densely monumented battlefields in the world.
40 • THE VICKSBURG POST & VICKSBURG-WARREN COUNTY CHAMBER OF COMMERCE