One Man's Red Carpet is another's Man's Magic Carpet

Last week before I dashed off to the Bahamas (full post on its way) I had the privilege of attending Kanye West’s performance for the 5th Anniversary of In Touch Magazine. I also had the pleasure of being joined for this event by one of my new blog colleagues and friends Claire S. (www.fashionbomb/blogspot.com) as well as my friend and personal advisor Jacques R.

Malcolm and Claire

Now I wouldn’t say that Kanye West and I are close friends but we have become quite friendly over the past year or so. Kanye has been very supportive of my career since the onset by appearing at my fashion shows as well as supporting our efforts with Designers For Darfur. Therefore when I was personally invited to this event I immediately moved around several other engagements to ensure my attendance.

Kanye and Alexis attend the Mal Sirrah Show

Of course, when we arrived in front of the hotspot Tenjune in New York's Meatpacking District it was almost impossible to see the front door let alone anyone the talking head that would possess a guest list. I must admit when I saw this mob scene there was a part of me that just wanted to turn straight back around and hop into the first cab smoking. However, my friend Jacques is a huge Kanye fan and I knew that this intimate performance would be very special for him. Therefore I forged ahead. But still there was the situation of the “front door and the red carpet.”

Crowd gathered for the In Touch Soiree

Richie Rich of Heatherette

Emmy Rossum

...and of course, Kanye West

To be quite honest I have never been a huge fan of doormen, security guards and/or anyone manning the front door especially when there is a red carpet draped across its threshold. Door people always seem to behave as though they are the gatekeepers that have been put on this earth to keep the rest of us out… So I was very hesitant to put myself through this exercise of “are you good enough to pass?” But then my dear friend Jacques had to snap me back into some weird sort of reality by reminding me that I had been personally invited by Kanye’s “team” and most importantly that I am no longer on the outside looking in… I am now a part of what happens behind the velvet rope. It’s feels strange to believe that somehow this is true but I still don’t look at this as something to be proud of… That’s just me…

So my friend Jacques went into “pseudo publicist mode”… He was able to find the person that was holding the V.I.P. list for the event, however, she said that unfortunately my name was not on her list - - - In my head I said to myself – “Thank God, now we can turn around and leave.” But before I could turn around on my well heeled Nike Air Max trainers – I could hear another one of the more New York-Centric P.R. girls say, “If Mr. Harris is willing to walk the red carpet we can let his group in…” I could hear my inner voice scream “SH*T”…

...yours truly, Malcolm Harris

There is still a part of me that hasn't really become accustomed to this whole “red carpet” thing… One of the reasons I believe I dislike the carpet so much stems from the fact that not so long ago these same clipboard carriers and photogs would vigorously shoo me away from the carpet as I shyly stood there attempting to assure that a celebrity’s client’s train and/or frock was positioned just right for the perfect photo opportunity. Or if I were allowed to stay for one photo - the next day it would read on WireImages or Getty - "Reese Witherspoon and friend"...

Germain Dupri and Janet Jackson inside party

Shaggy chillin while everyone waits for Kanye to take the stage

Kanye ignites the stage - truly an amazing and intimate performance

Not until recently and moreso due to my work with Designers For Darfur have the photographers and clip carriers started to recognize me and request my presence on their dusty-ass red carpet. Now that I think of it, I don't believe I will ever get used to this part of my job... But luckily my purpose for stepping on the red carpet now is much larger than my ego and/or any sort of marketing strategy…

Therefore, I will share with you an excerpt from a long email trail that I received not so long ago from a young African American boy and aspiring fashion designer - Fuquan Wright. Fuquan now serves as my motivation to walk to the front of the line and to step on the big scary red carpet in order to be photographed like the day's catch. So from now on when you see me throwing myself in front of a camera and/or standing on a red carpet, you will know the true reason why I now do so…