On Thursday, April 31st, the Schomburg Center for Research in Black Culture in Harlem, New York marked a historic milestone with its centennial gala. This year, the gala honored Solange Knowles for her ongoing contributions to preserving Black history through research, curation, and creative storytelling.
For the occasion, Knowles arrived in an elegant all-black look by Issey Miyake. The ensemble featured a structured blazer with a plunging neckline and subtle Japanese-inspired design elements. The jacket, which fell just below her hips, was elevated by dramatic detached lapels with cascading fabric that created movement and added dimension. She paired the statement piece with sleek black trousers with a thin leather belt, keeping the look refined and understated. As for the accessories, they were adorned with small black earrings.
Her beauty look embraced natural glamour. Knowles wore her signature long waves with the top section pulled back into a ponytail, while two face-framing tendrils fell beside her ears. A soft middle part, neutral lip, and glossy orange eyeshadow completed the effortless look.
The evening celebrated 100 years of the Schomburg Center’s legacy as a vital institution dedicated to Black culture and scholarship. Knowles was honored alongside Angela Bassett, Edwidge Danticat, Henry Louis Gates Jr., and Nikole Hannah-Jones.
Since launching Saint Heron in 2013, Knowles has expanded the platform from an online music community into a multidisciplinary institution supporting artists through residencies, films, and immersive art installations. This honor was a reminder of her ongoing work. And we can’t wait to see what she does next.
