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The post Peep The NYFW Show With Only Black Models appeared first on MadameNoire.
Peep The NYFW Show With Only Black Models
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7 Black Footwear Designers You Should Know
Black designers like LaQuan Smith and Carly Cushnie are finally getting the attention they deserve within the fashion industry. The industry is known for imitating, appropriating, and deriving inspiration from Black culture, without crediting the source. While fashion is finally utilizing its platform to elevate these designers, the same could not be said about accessories…until now. Footwear designers are receiving acclaim for their innovative looks, sleek styles, and more. Here’s a list of black footwear designers you should keep on your radar for when you’re planning on stepping out.
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Black Designers Define Fashion Trends
By Steven Barboza
America’s cultural and political landscape is a kaleidoscope of bright colors, and black is prominent among them. We have had African American Academy Awards winners every year lately. Black singers and rappers rule the charts. Black chefs just might be cooking your chicken cordon bleu regardless of whose name is on the restaurant sign out front. Oprah is queen of TV land. And a black family occupies the White House.
But when it comes to who is dressing America, 30% of whose population is nonwhite, the issue isn’t so clear. Fashion runways and photo spreads are overwhelmingly white. And black designers are hardly common figures in leading fashion houses.
African Americans alone spent $27 billion on apparel in 2008, according to Target Market News. While that is a hefty sum, it pails when compared to the total spent by all Americans. Last year, Americans spent $326 billion on clothing and footwear last year, according to the University of Michigan.
Still, are we getting good value in terms of diversity in fashion? And what of black designers? If Americans can celebrate black actors on the screen, why aren’t we honoring blacks’ pursuits in couture?
The heroes of black fashion are few and far between. But they do exist.
Tracy Reese perhaps ranks as fashion’s most successful black female designer. Of course, it always helps when the First Lady models your designs, as Michelle Obama has done for Reese. The whole world witnessed Michelle deplane Air Force One in a Tracy Reese blue and white dress, and she opted for a $395 Reese dress for the cover shot of People Magazine.
New York Magazine called Reese’s style “unabashedly girly.” She has a namesake label and has garnered recognition in many areas, from clothing and shoes to nail polish and hosiery.
She perhaps succeeded because she always knew what she wanted. “From a young age I knew I wanted to create
beautiful things,” Tracy told the Atlanta Post. “I was influenced by the femininity of women like my grandmother. After growing up in Detroit, I moved to New York to attend Parsons School of Design. Once I received my degree, I decided to move to Paris where I apprenticed under designer Martine Sitbon while working for the small contemporary firm, Arlequin. A few years later, I returned to New York and started working for Perry Ellis as the design director for Women’s Portfolio.”
By age 23, her collections were being sold in Barneys New York, Bergdorf Goodman, and Ann Taylor. Her company’s sales topped $12 million in 2003. Still, she is engrossed in every detail of her clothes, right down to the stitching. “While I have a wonderful team to assist, I continue to build my brand with my own hands,” she said.
Was dressing the First Lady the pinnacle of her career? Not really. “While seeing my dress on First Lady Michelle Obama was one of the proudest moments of my career, I still design for the everyday woman,” she said. “I design because I want women to feel good in what they wear and to help solve their wardrobe problems. Nothing is more satisfying than seeing a woman walking confidently in one of my frocks. It is also nice for the everyday woman to see the First Lady wearing something that they can also obtain.”
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Six Black Designers Michelle Obama Needs Now!
It’s obvious that our fabulous First Lady has established herself as a contemporary fashion icon. She’s donned pieces from Alexander McQueen, Jason Wu and even Talbots. But she’s also received sprinkles of criticism for not wearing enough fashion from black designers. Though there isn’t a surplus of established black designers, there are a few labels that would suit our First Lady well.
So, in an effort to switch up FLOTUS’ closet, we have a list of our favorite black fashion designers:
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Rachel Roy Fall 2012 – Collection Review + Hair & Makeup
(Source:all photos of outfits via Style.com)
For fall, Rachel Roy embraces earth tones like a pro and amps up her traditional sleek silhouettes with punches of color and tons of texture. Roy credits the documentary Women in Dirt as inspiration for the collection. It’s about women who create gardens within urban areas, a type of “modern landscape.” Her color palette mimics the inspiration by including rich plums, dazzling teals, rusted oranges, moss greens, and slate grays that look as if they were stolen right from nature.
The collection is comprised of separate pieces perfect for 9-to-5’ers, but are updated with modern twists. Monochromatic looks, the beloved color-blocking trend, and the use of multiple fabrics such as silk, leather and colorful furs are all ways twisted modernity comes into play.
Roy designs for the woman that carries herself with an air of sophistication and smidgen of edginess. Sound familiar? Then click through the gallery of memorable looks (grouped by trend) from her New York Fashion Week presentation, plus learn more about the hair and makeup looks.
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Kick Off Your Hot Girl Summer With These Sexy Swimsuits
Source: Moyo Studio / Getty
Memorial Day weekend kicks off the summer and now, the steamy season is creeping up on us and following two years of a pandemic, everybody is itching to hit the beaches, jump in the pool, lounge at that resort and get back in the water in style. That means it’s time to refresh your bathing suit collection. If you’re like most women, you probably haven’t bought a new suit in a while. Statista says that the majority of women only buy a new suit every one to two years. But bathing suits go through a lot, from chlorine to sand to sun. And your body changes from year to year, too.
Having a bathing suit that flatters your figure, is constructed of quality, supportive materials and boasts a fresh look can be just the thing your wardrobe is crying out for. That’s why it’s time to check out these fabulous Black bathing suit designers. From minimalistic to bold, from one-pieces to teeny, tiny thongs, we’ve got you covered with some gorgeous swimwear to add to your collection.
Lemlem
Lemlem was launched as a collaboration between H&M and Ethiopian model Liya Kebede and has been featured on the highly prestigious Net-A-Porter website. They’re known for making pieces in mostly blue, red and yellow hues with timeless, minimalist prints like gingham and leopard. Expect classic cuts here such as triangle and bandeau tops and side-tie bottoms. Here’s one more thing to love about this brand: they’re working to create jobs for women across Africa in the textile and fashion industry.
Jade Swim
Jade Swim is owned by Brittany Kozerski Freeney who is also the designer on the pieces. As a former fashion editor, Freeney knows a thing or two about what looks good on a woman’s body and what’s on trend. Jade Swim creates beautiful minimalistic pieces in neutral, earth tones with flattering cuts and interesting details. The quality materials and structures support and contour the body very nicely.
Andrea Iyamah
If you’re looking for something a little different that nobody else at the pool will be donning, look no further than Andrea Iyamah swimwear, by designer Dumebi Iyamah. Each piece is inspired by African culture and design, with stunning, show-stopping details that you’d typically see on a red carpet dress rather than a swimsuit. But it just works. The current collection is big on the flattering high-rise bottom, but you can choose your preferred coverage level.
Asherah Swimwear
Designed by Cheryl Jones, Asherah Swimwear is unapologetically bold and made for the goddess in you. These pieces are meant to turn heads, with gold details, belly chains, tassels, fringe and peek-a-boo cuts that highlight curves. The colors are just as eye-catching – expect plenty of neon and shimmery options. It’s an incredibly fun and sexy line that’s ready for a Vegas pool party.
Mint Swim
This playful and inspired line comes from designer Draya Michele. Its website hasn’t even launched yet but the looks are so popular that their IG page already has over 500K followers, so be sure to add your name to their website mailing list to know when the collection becomes available. Each piece has surprising and flattering details like strategically placed cutouts, interesting two-tone color schemes and flirty cuts.
Castamira
Castamira was founded by former Wilhelmina model Chantel Davis, who knows from her years of photoshoots how to make a bikini that looks good on every inch of the wearer’s body. This unique line makes one-pieces that are inspired by 70’s and 90’s fashion, so expect lace-up tops and ruched bust areas.
Icon Swim
Icon Swim makes bold and interesting pieces that are especially flattering on curves. Definitely check them out if you’re looking for a one-piece that’s anything but ordinary. They also have a wide selection of coverage from tiny thongs to full coverage, from low rise to high waist and you can opt for one, two and even three-piece swimsuits.
Riot Swim
Riot Swim was founded by entrepreneur Monti Landers (who is often caught modeling her pieces on her IG). Riot makes lovely minimalistic pieces and is meant to be extremely versatile. Shop the site by selecting the color you want, then the coverage type, then the style. It’s very easy to mix and match all of the pieces, and you’ll find a wide array of sizes, including those for DD-busted shoppers.
RELATED CONTENT: Serving Bathing Suit Bawdy. Check Out These Curve-Friendly Swimwear Lines
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