Nichole M. Bess is the founder of Noir Fashion Week Global, a cultural architect and global fashion strategist creating international pathways for emerging and underrepresented designers. Known as the “Harriet Tubman of Fashion,” Bess has represented the United States on global fashion platforms, including the BRICS+ Fashion Summit, and is credited with bringing the U.S. into the International Fashion Federation.

Through Noir Fashion Week, she is building a global corridor connecting designers across continents to visibility, commerce, industry relationships, and international market access. Her work is redefining fashion week as more than a runway—it is an infrastructure for access, ownership, and global economic opportunity.

Bess was also honored among the 100 Women of Excellence at the U.S. Capitol in Washington, D.C., recognizing her leadership, influence, and commitment to creating pathways for others.