On Saturday, Alexzander Hershel of LAB74  hosted his annual Juneteenth Fashion Show in partnership with Think Watts Foundation. Held as part of the Watts Juneteenth Festival, the runway experience celebrates identity and heritage through fashion, spotlighting emerging talent and showcasing style as a powerful tool for cultural storytelling. 

Juneteenth

 

LAB74 has garnered support from artists such as Erykah Badu, Doja Cat, and Big Sean, and its founder, Hershel, was notably featured on HBO’s fashion competition series, The Hype. Through his clothing brand, the entrepreneur has partnered with organizations like the Boys and Girls Club, Sole Folks, the International Korean Festival, and the Think Watts Foundation. 

This year’s runway show included live performances by Demitrius Graham, Jordan Hawkins, Lakeside, and The Maryjane Girls.

A touching moment came at the top of the show. Hershel invited an 11-year-old attendee named Jordan to be part of the creative process, helping style a few looks. She even helped open the show, a quiet but powerful nod to the community and a beautiful reminder of how the brand continues to center community, connection, and storytelling in detail.

“Juneteenth is all about resilience and collective strength,” Hershel said in a statement.  “The LAB74 show is our way of celebrating freedom by bringing people together through fashion, music, and culture. On a day like Juneteenth, it’s so important to use our heritage to create love, joy, and meaningful experiences that uplift and connect us all.”