Dressing Up for Easter Sunday at Abyssinian Baptist Church (original) (raw)

The Look Book Goes to Church on Easter

Hundreds of parishioners wore their Sunday best to attend services at the Abyssinian Baptist Church in Harlem.

By ,editor of the Strategist print section, including “The Look Book.” He was previously a writer at the Strategist covering fitness and outdoor gear.

Photo: Frankie Alduino

Tia Kaplan (pictured above)
Deacon, Upper East Side

I love your outfit.
Thank you. My mother got the hat for me. It’s from Philip Treacy; he’s made hats for Queen Camilla and another queen, Oprah Winfrey. Someone was teasing me at church because they said, “Oh, you got new Easter clothes?” But I didn’t get anything new. Everything just came out of my closet.

I saw the church was at capacity and some folks didn’t make it in. Does that happen often? It doesn’t happen every Sunday, but sometimes the building is at capacity and we follow the fire code. It’s a good problem to have because, unfortunately, a lot of churches in Harlem have closed, so we know that every person who wants to come through our doors is a blessing.

Raisa White

Sales consultant, Kingsbridge

Lydia Berry Pearson

Chief financial officer, Harlem

How would you describe your style?

I love hats. Everyone calls me the Hat Lady because I wear a lot of different ones. I absolutely just love being fashionable and presenting myself well, especially when we come into the house of the Lord.

Dana Fleming

Nonprofit administration director, Yonkers

Sharon R. Kim

Communications director, Fresh Meadows

Karen Yvonne Small

Fashion stylist, Upper East Side

Have you noticed church fashion change over the years?

People are dressing up again. You don’t see as many jeans like you used to.

Dodji Gbedemah

Gallerist, Midtown East

Eva, Ana, and Ali Joseph

Kindergartner, prekindergartner, preschooler, Harlem

Allison Hawkins

Model and actor, Battery Park City

How are you going to spend the rest of your Sunday?

I always go to brunch. I have to get my fried catfish and grits. Go to church, hear the Word, and get some nice food after at Blvd Bistro here in Harlem.

Dr. Sylvester Wise

Professor emeritus, Harlem

Edwing D’Angelo

Fashion designer, Harlem

Regina Fleming

Founder and photographer, Harlem

You said you just returned from a trip. Where did you go?

I ran a marathon in Antarctica, and I just got back. It was the hardest marathon I’ve ever ran, but it wasn’t my first — it was my 20th.

Daniel White

Human-resources business partner, Harlem

Leah Fleming

Executive producer, Yonkers

Greg “GQ” Qualles

Executive director, Mount Vernon

What inspired your outfit today?

Catching the train on time. I just grabbed some colors and went. I never look in the mirror.

Sydney Brown and Betina Dowdell

Seventh-grader, wealth-management director, Harlem

Brittanie Anderson

Creative director, Midtown East

Anthony Jones

Technical director, South Bronx

I know you’ve got to run, but where are you off to?

To run the livestream!

Patti Lewis

Account manager, Harlem

Photographs by Frankie Alduino

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