Fresh Prince of New York Recap: Marvelous Models, Magical Mayhem, and All-Around 90s Mania

On Sunday night, I was 7 years old again.

Well, not literally. But figuratively speaking – if we were to transport back in time to 1993, I would have been 7 years old.

I can’t remember what I was like at 7, but I can assure you, I was probably slightly crazy. I think I remember having an affinity for climbing trees, collecting birds eggs, and riding my bike. Yeah — I was a tomboy as a child. Surprised?

So the irony is that for an event that flashed back to a time in my life when I cared more about playing Capture the Flag than what I was wearing, I was actually the stylist and co ’90s fashion show coordinator, along with Ciara Walker of Clothes Minded, Inc.

The event: Fresh Prince of New York birthday bash and fundraiser for Hip Hop 4 Life, a NYC-based non profit that helps New York urban youth achieve their secondary educational dreams through scholarships, programs, and mentorship.

Derrick Sabater – birthday boy himself – arranged the entire event. And he did it with the poise, passion, and persistence that I can’t help but admire in awe. He invested his own time and money into an event that was both fun, philantrophic, and celebratory of an era past in a fresh, unique way.

He truly is the Fresh Prince of New York. And thanks to his freshness, Sunday’s event raised enough money to provide college book scholarships to 10 high school seniors.

Take that, Will. Derrick is moving on in and he’s reigning as king.

Keep reading for the visual, video, and VIBRANT recap! 1993, what up!

All pictures thanks to Udo Salters Photography. All video shot and edited by Sammy Davis Vintage.

For Derrick’s first look, he wore a Charlotte Hornets tee [he reps the dirty south] with matching aqua-colored jeans.

Why the cape? Because Derrick made a grand entrance into the event … breaking into song, “This Is How We Do It” by none other than Montell Jordan.

But the true throwback were the shoes … the vintage Andre Agassi Nike SBs. Check ’em below. He even kept the tags on! Gotta keep these in mint condition for as long as possible.

Derrick – the Fresh Prince of New York himself – wore three outfits over the course of the evening, as styled and sourced by me. His second to last outfit was my favorite — please note the similarity in color between this track jacket and the colors on the FPNY flyer. I was spot on!

All pieces for Derrick’s 90s outfits were sourced at thrift stores – bringing his wardrobe budget to a measly $50. I think I honestly spent less. His track jacket was around $4, his pants roughly $5 each, and that piano belt you spot in the video below [and most likely want for yourself?] only $.99. That’s right. It’s like the dollar menu at McDonald’s.

Derrick talking about his second outfit below! Please note the buzz cut —  I want one!!!

Derrick Sabater’s Style for Fresh Prince of New York // Sammy D TV from Sammy Davis on Vimeo.

The fashion show was not just a “show,” it was a choreographed dance routine by Dynasty Modeling Troupe, based out of Philadelphia and from my alma mater, Temple University. Scroll on down for the video coverage of their spins, twirls, dips, dives, and of course, a damn fierce walk.

I shopped for specific pieces for the show – including fedoras, ties, jean jackets, vests, lace tops and lots and lots of spandex. We modeled the show’s style from the 1990 cult classic, House Party. Think Can’t Hardly Wait, but for the hip hop community. A whole lot more fun, if you ask me.

Jean jackets: No one in the 90s didn’t NOT have one.

High-waisted pants that flow with the body, paired with a lace lingerie top = 90s party wear

Yes, you remember. Guys wore vests as … shirts.

Zubaz. Don’t know what they are? Well now you know.

We took a typically unsexy pair of athletic attire that pretty much defined sportswear of the 80s-90s and made it sexy. Fierce.

Scroll on down for video footage of the choreographed show — first clip illustrating choreography, and second clip illustrating the varied moves that define competitive modeling and put Dynasty in a league all of its own.

I think Bryant Park should take a pointer or two, don’t you?

Dynasty Models 90s Fashion Show // Fresh Prince of New York // from Sammy Davis on Vimeo.

Fresh Prince of New York Fashion Show // Dynasty Models Spin, Twirl, and Work It // Sammy D TV from Sammy Davis on Vimeo.

Derrick with his 90s themed birthday cake. Catch the ’93 design?

And to continue the prom theme … Derrick and I posed for our “90s prom pic” in front of the Fresh Prince banner, below.

Awww!

The entire Jessica McClintock 90s prom dress below … it was only $5. And it still had the tags on.

Want your own piece from the 90s? Let me source it for you! Taking special requests for all vintage pieces – whether for your personal collection, or an event like Fresh Prince – shout me a holler!

MORE ’90s FASHION

TRENDS: The 15 Most Wearable 1990s Fashion Trends
THRIFT: How I Shopped ’90s Clothing from a Salvation Army
FRESH PRINCE: How I Styled a ’90s-Themed Party