By Solomon O. Smith
In the heart of Beverly Hills – as America celebrates Black History Month – a Black-owned clothing line, High Risk, took over one of the most expensive streets in the world for the High Risk FW26 Runway Show last Friday.
Tommy Duncan sat in a deep, low chair inside a small receiving room at the five-star Beverly Wilshire, A Four Seasons Hotel, preparing for the start of his show. The High Risk FW26 Runway Show was held at the iconic 2 Rodeo Drive address — a curved pedestrian walkway lined with some of the most famous fashion boutiques in the world.
Duncan is the CEO, creator and designer of High Risk, a fashion line specializing in high-end comfort wear and accessories. The brand’s name reflects the willingness of high achievers to take “high risks” in pursuit of excellence.
“I build companies to be successful, but I’m also creative, and so I am the CEO plus the creative director,” said Duncan.
A seasoned entrepreneur who has made millions through a wide range of ventures — most notably in health care — Duncan says fashion and art have always been central to who he is. Launching High Risk gave him a way to express parts of himself that can sometimes feel at odds with the business world.
Duncan believes struggle is part of the creative process.
“You do a pilot, you just start, and you refine as you learn. As a creative, you have to be precise before you go to market,” said Duncan. “It’s very different, and that aspect can be very stressful, because you have to get perfection before you finish.”
Although the brand made its runway debut in Beverly Hills, the leisurewear line will be sold exclusively online. Duncan said his product attracts a “global clientele,” and the most effective way to serve them is digitally.
“Because the community that we attract, that we bind with — those with the heart to take risks are all over the world, and we’re connecting with that, versus us being in one location and you have to walk past us to know us, to be invited into our brand,” said Duncan. “No, we’ll go directly to you. We’ll be available to everybody.”
Duncan said some of the best talent in the world is in California, and he wanted to collaborate with the best.
“I’m from Detroit and coming to L.A., one thing that is different, it’s special and it’s hard, this is the only city in America where you cannot buy your way to the top,” said Duncan. “In L.A., you have to earn your way there through being successful at your craft. L.A. brings the most ambitious people.”
Guests ascended the Rodeo Drive Steps, bathed in red light, to enter the event. The top of the Golden Triangle was transformed into a VIP cocktail reception area before guests were seated.
The show — like its creator — was rooted in love for Black culture. African drummers opened the evening to an audience filled with Black artists, creators, musicians and fashion icons seated along the cobblestones of 2 Rodeo Drive.
Maurice McCray, known as Maurice the Music, posted on Instagram about being a first-time model in the show. McCray is an emerging Black country music artist.
Among the attendees were Kyle Massey, Raven-Symoné, WNBA star Liz Cambage, musician Thundercat, singer and actor Trevor Jackson, photographer Cheryl Fox, and fashion dandy the Black Willie Wonka.
Model Jeremy Meeks — who first gained fame after being discovered through a viral mug shot — walked the runway and helped close out the show. He later thanked Duncan for the opportunity and celebrated the night’s success on Instagram.
The show was well received, and the online store is now live at https://www.highrisk.com/, where pieces featured on the runway are available for purchase.
For Duncan, the high quality of the brand’s style, service and materials has already proved worth the risk.
“Well, High Risk brand, again, is the top of the top of the top, we’re all about pieces that you can’t find anywhere,” said Duncan. “It’s not just about the material, but it’s how you take the fabric and the material and the design and coalesce it all together to have something that’s extremely exceptional.”
Nange Magro waits for the opening of the show. Magro is a multifaceted artist who has designed for a wide variety of clients including Madonna. High Risk FW26 Runway Show at Two Rodeo Drive, February 12, 2026 in Beverly Hills, California. Photo by Solomon O. Smith
Kyle Massey greets gueststs at the High Risk FW26 Runway Show at Two Rodeo Drive, February 12, 2026 in Beverly Hills, California. Photo by Solomon O. Smith
Musician and artist Thundercat checks out the styles of other patrons of the High Risk FW26 Runway Show at Two Rodeo Drive, February 12, 2026 in Beverly Hills, California. Photo by Solomon O. Smith
The Black Willy Wonka, an artist known as a well respected representative of Black Dandyism at the High Risk FW26 Runway Show at Two Rodeo Drive, February 12, 2026 in Beverly Hills, California. Photo by Solomon O. Smith
A model strides down the runway. Many of the models sported a more urban style and attitude when displaying the some of the more racy designs. High Risk FW26 Runway Show at Two Rodeo Drive, February 12, 2026 in Beverly Hills, California. Photo by Solomon O. Smith
A model strides down the runway. Many of the models sported a more urban style and attitude when displaying the some of the more racy designs. High Risk FW26 Runway Show at Two Rodeo Drive, February 12, 2026 in Beverly Hills, California. Photo by Solomon O. Smith
Textures, materials and prints were carefully part of the aesthetic of the black, red and white clothing at the High Risk FW26 Runway Show at Two Rodeo Drive, February 12, 2026 in Beverly Hills, California. Photo by Solomon O. Smith
A model stops to pose for the cameras at the High Risk FW26 Runway Show at Two Rodeo Drive, February 12, 2026 in Beverly Hills, California. Photo by Solomon O. Smith
Aside from the upscaled leisure of High Risk, accessories were paired as part of the urban style at the High Risk FW26 Runway Show at Two Rodeo Drive, February 12, 2026 in Beverly Hills, California. Photo by Solomon O. Smith
A model pauses under the spot light in a white tee. High Risk FW26 Runway Show at Two Rodeo Drive, February 12, 2026 in Beverly Hills, California. Photo by Solomon O. Smith
A model clad in the signature red and Black of the High Risk FW26 Runway Show at Two Rodeo Drive, February 12, 2026 in Beverly Hills, California. Photo by Solomon O. Smith
As models walked the cobble stone walk way images of the outfits were displayed behind them. High Risk FW26 Runway Show at Two Rodeo Drive, February 12, 2026 in Beverly Hills, California. Photo by Solomon O. Smith
A signature red beanie and black hoodied model pauses for a photograph High Risk FW26 Runway Show at Two Rodeo Drive, February 12, 2026 in Beverly Hills, California. Photo by Solomon O. Smith
Artist and musician Oranj Goodman walks down the runway. High Risk FW26 Runway Show at Two Rodeo Drive, February 12, 2026 in Beverly Hills, California. Photo by Solomon O. Smith
Maurice, a rising country musician, walks the runway for the first time. High Risk FW26 Runway Show at Two Rodeo Drive, February 12, 2026 in Beverly Hills, California. Photo by Solomon O. Smith
A spotlight follws a model striding down the runway. High Risk FW26 Runway Show at Two Rodeo Drive, February 12, 2026 in Beverly Hills, California. Photo by Solomon O. Smith
A model throws up a common hand sign at the High Risk FW26 Runway Show at Two Rodeo Drive, February 12, 2026 in Beverly Hills, California. Photo by Solomon O. Smith
Jeremy Meeks, famous for his attractive mugshot, signals the closing of the High Risk FW26 Runway Show at Two Rodeo Drive, February 12, 2026 in Beverly Hills, California. Photo by Solomon O. Smith
A model wears one of the signature red beanies High Risk FW26 Runway Show at Two Rodeo Drive, February 12, 2026 in Beverly Hills, California. Photo by Solomon O. Smith
Creator and owner Tommy Duncan finishes the night with his family at the end of the High Risk FW26 Runway Show at Two Rodeo Drive, February 12, 2026 in Beverly Hills, California. Photo by Solomon O. Smith
Nicole Duncan, wife of CEO Tommy Duncan, poses under the High Risk sign and thanks guests at the ending of the High Risk FW26 Runway Show at Two Rodeo Drive, February 12, 2026 in Beverly Hills, California. Photo by Solomon O. Smith
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