Hoodvenchy to the River City: Vicksburg designer hosting fashion show in hometown

Published 9:04 am Monday, September 26, 2022

Raymond Banks has arrived.

At 6:30 p.m. on Oct. 1, Gordon’s Alley will be transformed into a modeling runway with Vicksburg designer Banks showcasing his designs.

Banks has recently returned from the Big Apple, where he was invited to participate in New York Fashion Week, and in a recent interview with The Post, Banks said he wanted locals to have the opportunity to personally view his line of clothing.

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“I am so excited. It’s very nostalgic. I am returning to comfort. I am returning to what’s familiar with me,” Banks said of having the opportunity to show his designs in his hometown.

Banks said he was also excited that his friends, family, and supporters will get to see “what everyone else has seen.”

In addition to being on the runway in New York’s Fashion Week, Banks also participated in Los Angeles Fashion Week.

During the local fashion show, Banks said, he will be showing three of his collections — his Hoodvenchy brand, which was shown in both the New York and Los Angeles Fashion Weeks and pieces he designed for the Patrick Kelly birthday celebration held in 2021.

Those attending the fashion show in Vicksburg will also get a sneak peek at his third collection, which will be showcased in L.A.

“Earlier this week, I was invited back to L.A. Fashion Week, so people will get a chance to see new pieces I will be showing for the upcoming fashion week in October,” he said.

Models for the show have been cast by a local Mississippi Modeling agent — Angel Lee.

“She (Lee) has been a huge help,” Banks said.

During the evening of fashion and design, Teri Hearte will serve as the hostess and as the opener, Eleven03 Boutique out of Southaven will have models featuring some of their retail designs sold in the store.

“The business owner (of 1103 Boutique) is from Vicksburg,” Banks said. “Everyone involved (in the fashion show) I met them through my career either here in Vicksburg or I met them while I was a student at Mississippi State.”

The fashion show will begin at 6:30 p.m. at Gordon’s Alley, located at the intersection of Crawford and Washington streets.

“And it is free to the public,” Banks said. “You can’t put a cost on support, and I feel like the city of Vicksburg has supported me all throughout my career and I could never put a cost on that.”

About Terri Cowart Frazier

Terri Frazier was born in Cleveland. Shortly afterward, the family moved to Vicksburg. She is a part-time reporter at The Vicksburg Post and is the editor of the Vicksburg Living Magazine, which has been awarded First Place by the Mississippi Press Association. She has also been the recipient of a First Place award in the MPA’s Better Newspaper Contest’s editorial division for the “Best Feature Story.”

Terri graduated from Warren Central High School and Mississippi State University where she received a bachelor’s degree in communications with an emphasis in public relations.

Prior to coming to work at The Post a little more than 10 years ago, she did some freelancing at the Jackson Free Press. But for most of her life, she enjoyed being a full-time stay at home mom.

Terri is a member of the Crawford Street United Methodist Church. She is a lifetime member of the Vicksburg Junior Auxiliary and is a past member of the Sampler Antique Club and Town and Country Garden Club. She is married to Dr. Walter Frazier.

“From staying informed with local governmental issues to hearing the stories of its people, a hometown newspaper is vital to a community. I have felt privileged to be part of a dedicated team at The Post throughout my tenure and hope that with theirs and with local support, I will be able to continue to grow and hone in on my skills as I help share the stories in Vicksburg. When asked what I like most about my job, my answer is always ‘the people.’

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