An Inside Look Into Femme It Forward’s Inaugural High Tea
In the midst of the Grammy Week festivities, Femme It Forward hosted its inaugural High Tea. The luxury affair was first announced back in December, not long after some prominent Black women in music received Grammy nominations. Among those women, Femme It Forward founder Heather Lowery chose to honor the contributions of Halle Bailey, Coco Jones, and Summer Walker—all of whom were first-time nominees.
The High Tea was held on a surprisingly warm winter afternoon at a private residence in the Hollywood Hills. The house was complete with a CIROC-sponsored bar and delicious food that floated between the overflow of guests, scattered throughout the backyard. The Black Swan Synchronized Swimmers performed to Jones’ “ICU,” Bailey’s “Angel,” and Walker’s “To Summer, From Cole,” as the instrumental was played by a live string quartet. Artwork from Black women was displayed in a makeshift gallery, which was curated by Mashonda Tifrere. Guests were also gifted shoes from Puma x Shoe Palace, products from My Black Is Beautiful, and custom illustrations by Jade Sta Ana.
When VIBE spoke with Lowery about the High Tea’s formation, she explained, “I always wanted to have a tea. As a little girl, I never had one ever in life. I thought I wanted to always do a Grammy event to celebrate women in music just like we do all year round. I’m like, ‘What better way to get women together than to have a tea and dress up and look pretty?’ I thought it was a perfect marriage of just getting dressed up and looking amazing as well as celebrating us.”
She considered the event to be a party version of the annual Give Her FlowHERS gala. When deciding who to honor, Lowery says it was a no-brainer. “Of course, first and foremost, we support Black women,” she said with a smile. She also teased that something special may be coming during Women’s History Month, but noted, “I’m full of creative energy, so it’s all about timing. There’s some stuff bubbling up, so if we can make it happen for Women’s History Month, we will. If not, we’re going to continue to do what we do all year round, supporting women in various different ways.”
Coyly, Lowery continued, “I’m also the type of person to literally show and not tell. Whenever I talk about it too soon, it’s— No, I’d rather wait.”
Before wrapping, we had to ask about the next Give Her FlowHERS gala, which Lowery labeled as a “constant evolution.”
“That’s how I like to move with Femme It Forward,” she noted. “It’s all about feeling and intuition and evolution. If inspiration is there and the time is right, then we level up. You know?”
Attendees at the inaugural High Tea included Mona Scott-Young, Kyla Pratt, Melanie Fiona, Alex Isley, Baby Tate, Rapsody, Tierra Whack, Jozzy, and more. Check out the fabulous looks and full photo recap below.
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