The 2022 5th Annual Miguel Wilson Atlanta Fashion and Polo Classic Weekend

By Desiree Sandlin

The 5th Annual Atlanta Fashion and Polo Classic took place on Sunday, October 5th, 2022, at Horse Mansion located at Bouckaert Farm 10045 Cedar Grove Rd., Fairburn, GA 30215. The elite and luxury style polo event featured fashion designer, philanthropist and visionary, Miguel Wilson as a celebration of African American and Latin culture. Miguel Wilson, who is recognized as an elite polo player, created the event to expose the lack of diversity and need for equestrian sports and fashion for inner city youth. "I have to expose our culture to something that I've been privileged and had the opportunity to be a part of," says Miguel. Coupled with fashion and sport, in 2017, Wilson created his non-profit organization, Ride to the Olympics Foundation, RTO.  RTO is dedicated to expanding the knowledge lack of diversity and the need of awareness of the sport, by exposing horse-related sports such as polo, showjumping, and dressage throughout the country, thus eliminating barriers and strengthening community engagement. The Atlanta Fashion and Polo Classic (AFPC) is recognized as a stellar and exclusive event of the year where culture and classic become intertwined. The Atlanta Fashion and Polo Classic serves as the biggest fundraising event for the Ride to the Olympics Foundation.

The 5th Annual Atlanta Fashion and Polo Classic commenced on October 7-9 with Atlanta’s finest, including notable attendees Sheree Whitfield (RHOA), Martell Holt (Love & Marriage Huntsville), Egypt Sherrod and Mike Jackson (HGTV’s Married to Real Estate), Frank Ski (KISS 104.1), Guy Lambert (FOX 5 DC) Tony Terry, Pastor Troy, Toccara Jones (America’s Next Top Model), Dr. Kevin James (president of Morris Brown College), and more.  Sponsored by Bentley Atlanta and the Corbett Group, the Atlanta Fashion and Polo Classic featured three days of food, drinks, live music, fashion, cigars, and equestrian exhibitions, which took place in the form of the “Black Tie Experience”, “Polo & Pumps Brunch and Day Party”, “Cocktails and Cigars Under the Stars” and the Annual Atlanta Fashion and Polo Classic.

About the Designer.

Wilson, is an award-winning men’s designer offering his “The Miguel Wilson Collection.” His Lifestyle Collection encompasses, suits, sports coats, trousers, shirts, and accessories. His style can be described as conservative, fun, and exciting. His tailored fit consists of “clear lines with exceptional details.”  Born in Washington, D.C. Miguel Wilson, is a graduate of Clark Atlanta University, and received his MBA from Campbell University.  His wedding collection is offered at high- end boutiques throughout the world. His signature stores are located in Atlanta, GA, Washington, D.C., Miami, FL and New York, NY. The Miguel Wilson Collection has been the choice for many celebrities for their wedding day as he has themed the collection, “Because it’s his day too.”  A few notables to wear his compilation on their wedding day include, Hollywood producer Will Packer, reality stars Peter Thomas and Todd Tucker, NFL players Bobby Rainey and Travis Daniels, actor Josh Morgan, and rapper 2 Chainz.

Going into its fifth year, Miguel Wilson, reflects on the growth of the event. "I've had different inspirations along the way to keep doing it. Initially, it was just about exposing people to it, and then it turned into being a luxury event with African American businesses supporting it. At our event, we have Black chefs, we serve Black spirits, Black-owned alcohol companies, and Black-owned wines. We have Black designers; we even have Black polo players playing polo. It’s really geared towards Black excellence on a level that most people never even thought of." In addition, Miguel added, “With all of the events that we put on during this weekend and all of the vendors and fashion designers that we showcase, all black-owned might I add, it’s easy to forget that this is a fundraising event. Our goal is to raise money for the Ride to the Olympics Foundation so that we can continue to provide equestrian experiences to the youth, create more all-Black polo teams, and create more polo teams at HBCUs. And ultimately, we want to send a Black person to the Olympics to compete in equestrian sports, which has never been done,” Wilson said.  One of the more intriguing aspects of this event is that it allows other Black fashion designers; both emerging and established, an opportunity and the platform to showcase the quality of their work. It also provides a space for Black vendors who make luxury goods which includes jewelry, spirits, cigars, helicopters, and more. Providing such opportunity alone, symbolizes the fact that there’s room for all of “us” to succeed. Black excellence at its finest.

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This year’s weekend of events was nothing less than a weekend comprised of black excellence accompanied with complimentary gourmet food options, signature cocktails, party tents, live music, cigar lounges, two polo games, equestrian exhibitions, and a fashion experience, while guests are dressed in their best derby attire. Miguel says, "If someone would have told me that we would be doing this five years later on this level, I wouldn't have believed it." Fashion was exuded at its finest. Women were dressed to nine in Southern décor, that consisted of floral colors topped with fascinators, feathered, and pillbox hats of all colors, shapes and sizes. Men were decked out in seersuckers, plaid pastel and linen suits, braid boater hats, oxfords, all accessorized with bow ties.

Fashion brands and vendors for the 2022 FPC (Fashion Polo Classic) event included a myriad of businesses.  To name a few: fashions by Lisa Nicole, Sweet & Laced, Ahmazing Culture, Grand Diva Enterprises, Contagious Cloth, Indigoz Shoes, and o2Cigar Roller, and many more. For a complete list of vendors and designers, please visit: www.fashionandpoloclassic.com. Sponsors for the highly anticipated event included, Bentley Atlanta, The Miguel Collection and Grey Goose. Tickets ranged from purchasing individual passes to VIP seating. For corporations wanting to attend, for a party of 10, tickets could be purchased which included a 30x40 tent for the meager price of $10K. Guests also had the option to enjoy an ultra-VIP helicopter ride to the event. This VIP luxury included being picked up from the airport, via helicopter, only to be met by a Bentley and driven to your section. Guests who chose to go VIP style, were transported by a private car back to the Georgian Terrace Hotel.  This year’s event was a total success. The Miguel Collection Company would like to thank everyone who came out to support. We look forward to seeing you next year!
www.miguelwilson.com.
Miguel Wilson (@miguelwilsoncollection) Instagram