Launched in 2007 with a steadfast commitment to “increase diversity in fashion,” Harlem’s Fashion Row has quickly evolved into the premier destination for Black designers to show up, throw down and rip the runway. On September 7, 2012 CentricTV.com was on location to capture all the hustle and bustle and backstage excitement at  Jazz at Lincoln Center as five black designers debuted their collections as part of Mercedes Benz New York Fashion Week.

But while Omar Salam of Sukeina, Latisha Daring of Ashtyn, Nzinga Knight of Nzinga Knight New York, Joseph and Jonathan Bethune Bethune Brothers and 2012 HFR Designer of the Year Award winner Kevan Hall put the finishing touches on their collections, Centric ventured backstage to the dressing rooms to get expert tips from the world class makeup artists and hairstylists getting the models runway ready.

Although you may spend most of your time on the sidewalk, check out the bold beauty tips from Kena Marcell and healthy hair tricks, courtesy of celebrity stylist Keith Campbell (photographed above), we uncovered specifically so you’ll look like you just came off the catwalk.

TAGS: Ashtyn, Bethune Brothers, Harlem Fashion Row, Joseph Bethune, Latisha Daring, Michaela Angela Davis, Nicole Murphy, NYFW, Nzinga Knight, Nzinga Knight New York, Omar Salam, Sukeina, Tasha Smith, Vanessa William