Health and Wellness
Bruce Glen’s LAFW performance was a technicolor dream – the essence
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Bruce and Glen Proctor, the brothers and designers behind BruceGlen, took viewers to the church for his or her latest presentation. The Los Angeles Fashion Week show can have been held on a Thursday afternoon, but BruceGlen transformed the venue at W Hollywood into a Sunday service. Unveiling their latest “Out of the Blue” collection, previously shown during New York Fashion Week, the creative duo celebrates life’s blessings that come whenever you least expect it.
The concept of the Spring/Summer 2025 line got here to them as they tuned into the synchronicities around them and took it as a divine message. After appearing at Milan Fashion Week in February, Bruce and Glen Proctor’s Paris vacation took them to the Louvre, where they couldn’t help but notice the color blue that was thrown at them at every turn. Metaphorically, they sat right down to reflect on the blessings that had been bestowed upon them, seemingly out of the blue, after which all the pieces clicked. “We knew he was bigger than us,” Glen tells ESSENCE. “It was a concept that was born first in the heart of God and then in us.”
Using the color blue as a storytelling anchor for this collection, they sought to include their signature vibrant colours, dynamic performance graphics, and comforting designer messages. By their very own admission, the message explains how the connection between fashion and faith can encourage audiences with a sartorial sermon.
The participants, all wearing their most festive attire, waited for the performance with joy Bruce Glen outfit. Seated in the emerald green front room, guests arranged themselves around velvet cushions and sat in what could be multi-level execution.
The show began with a group of six people appearing from different angles, wearing floor-length long-sleeved gowns with cobalt blue sequins. Like a holy choir, they lined up at the mouth of the spiral staircase and started humming and swaying in unison. Gospel singer Jekalyn Carr she descended the spiral staircase in a short sequined dress paired with light pink tights and launched into a soulful vocal performance. She engaged the audience in a “call and response” practice during which the room announced that this was their “winning season”. The arrangement, consistent with the musical tradition of the Baptist Church, quickly became a mutual experience.
This interactive performance was followed by a whimsical performance Cirque du Soleil contractors. Acrobatics, a hula dancer and a mischievous emcee charmed the crowd and drew them even deeper into Bruce Glen’s dreamlike universe. Wallace Collection’s rendition of “Daydream” began to play on a loop, signaling a part of the runway performance.
Models descended the stairs and surrounded the audience in retro-inspired outfits. Voluminous curls, natural curls, thick pastel headbands and chunky Nineteen Sixties jewelry accomplished the kaleidoscopic clothing collection. Two-piece suits in cascading fabrics, structured skirts, color-block sets, sequined gowns and an assortment of clutches and purses decorated with eye-catching prints including checks, pop art, hand-drawn doodles, and collage-like graphics. Footwear provided by Madame was the right accent; pumps and sandals by Brooklyn-based designer Quanasia Graham added whimsy to any outfit.
When asked about the story behind the iconography, Bruce and Glen pointed to a blueprint-inspired design that features a few of their favorite items from childhood to the present. The set of technically coloured outfits spoke to the design duo’s interests and personalities, while also showing what fashion looks like when designed in a state of pure joy.
The joy that colours the BruceGlen universe is as contagious because it is stylish. The mood was high during and after the presentation. Many participants stayed to interrupt bread with the brand’s founders and rejoice the collection. This kinship developed with their supporters was seen in person, as many artists, digital creators, and actors exchanged warm hugs with the co-founders in the hour after the show.
As former ministers, the brothers are well aware of the unique position during which they present their projects. What stands out most once I spend time with them is their ability to emphasise that the majority of what they do is for the good of the community. Their level of honesty is kind of clear season after season. When this intended environment was highlighted, Bruce was almost moved to tears. About their desire to be more intentional and to proceed constructing common spaces, they explain that their most important goal is to present the Church in a recent way. “We still believe in what it can be, which is a place of community where a relationship with God can be cultivated,” they share. It can also be a space without limitations and exclusions – in response to Bruce and Glen.
At one point in our conversation, in addition they touch on the topic of navigating faith and fashion at the same time. The duo also emphasizes that they’ve learned that while the two concepts may not all the time mesh in the broader industry, they’ve an unwavering practice of showing up authentically, with love, and embracing people wherever they’re.
Both Bruce and Glen express that they appreciate Los Angeles Fashion Week for its positive experiences N4XT Experiences team cultivates, in addition to the ability to assume fashion presentations in your personal way. Designers consider that LAFW is more like a fashion festival than a collection of shows – they declare that it allows brands to activate the ones that suit them best with a view to connect with the consumer community.
“We love the opportunity to showcase Bruce Glen on the West Coast because we have such a huge following here, but they don’t go to other fashion weeks or get involved in that way,” they each say.