Zerina Akers—TGU 50 2021 honoree and Emmy award-winning costume designer—has just launched a collaboration between her company Black Owned Everything, Nike and Nordstrom to promote the work of four Black-owned businesses in fashion and beauty. The collaboration, which debuted Thursday, curates the unique style of these brands alongside the season’s newest Nike and Jordan drops. The collections will be featured in select Nordstrom stores as well as online through February 2022—and will feature a range of clothing, shoes, jewelry and accessories between $40 and $325.
Per a press release provided to The Root, the collection stars Black-owned brands Brandon Blackwood, L’Enchanteur, Sammy B and William Okpo. Brandon Blackwood has been working towards normalizing Black luxury with a focus on handbags that are on-trend yet timeless. L’Enchanteur’s mission statement is “Transform Your Lifestyle” while twin sisters Dynasty and Soull “redefine the meaning of an heirloom and timeless” piece. Sammy B creates “limelight-worthy” pieces cementing them as an “It Girl” favorite, and William Okpo celebrates women who have a cultivated sense of style.
From Akers:
When we launched Black Owned Everything back in February of this year, partnerships like Nordstrom x Nike were exactly the type of activations I had in mind to amplify the reach of the Black designers whom I work with and mentor. This intersection of well-established brands and emerging designers is where the progress of Black Owned Everything’s mission takes place. The inclusion of these selected designers are a big step for their individual career paths and an even bigger step in the right direction for the American marketplace and beyond. This curation is a fun mix of fashion and lifestyle pieces for the people who are keen to street trends and enjoy functionality.
As we’ve previously reported, Nordstrom has set goals to increase the visibility of Black and Latinx brands, including delivering $500 million in retail sales from said demographics and increasing managerial roles by 50% by 2025. The new campaign was shot and directed by Brooklyn-based photographer Myesha Evon Gardner.
Even Weeds Grow
Desyree Nicole, founder and designer of Michigan-based brand Todd Patrick, has announced the label’s FW21 collection, which “embodies classic silhouettes and a plethora of fabric textures to be a voice in vision. A blend of streetwear, contemporary and elevated garments for the everyday wearer, maintaining functionality,” per a press release provided to The Root. This collection features Earth tones to “further tell the story of the hometown hero.” Even Weeds Grow has a strong foothold in current fall trends featuring puffer jackets, tailored trousers, silk tops and leather button-downs. Even Weeds Grow is currently available on the Todd Patrick website.
You Can Have Skin Like Lori Harvey, Too
Lori Harvey has finally squashed the rumors and officially announced the launch of her new skincare brand, SKN by LH. The five-step ritual—considered groundbreaking after the 12-step skincare phenomenon—goes live on Harvey’s website on October 22. According to a press release provided to The Root, the products rely on “official proprietary products including a cleanser, toner, serum, eye cream and moisturizer.” The ingredients used are touted to reduce inflammation and target hyperpigmentation. Harvey has been “obsessed with skincare ever since [she] was a little girl,” and has been working on this concept since 2018.
Harbison x HFR x Banana Republic
Charles Harbison of Harbison Studios has partnered with Banana Republic on a capsule collection inspired by the matriarchs in his life. The former architect launched his career in fashion in 2013 and won the Harlem Fashion Row x Banana Republic design competition last year. The Harbison x BR collection launched on October 19 online and at select Banana Republic stores, and is sustainable, featuring organic materials, natural dyes and limited use of water production, according to WWD. Harbison pushes for “gender, queer inclusivity and size inclusivity, racial equity and representation” in his newest collection, adding it was crafted “from the perspective centering on the narrative of the Black matriarch and the Black muses who were so key for me early to life, but doing so to the benefit of all our customers, regardless of their identities,” per WWD.
13 Years in the Making—Gabi Fresh Is Launching a Clothing Line
It’s been over a decade since plus-size fashion blogger Gabi Fresh entered the scene, and after multiple partnerships with big brands, Gabi launches her own size-inclusive line October 21. The line includes sizes 12-28 and features a “wide array of pieces—from pantsuits to knitted tops to dresses that hug and accentuate curves,” all specifically made with plus-size women in mind, per Teen Vogue. Gabi teased the collection on October 17 with an Instagram post featuring various influencers and celebrities expressing their excitement for the collection to drop. The collection is produced with Fashion to Figure and per the article, Gabi states, “I’ve loved designing swim and lingerie over the years but I’ve always wanted to finally design clothes for us. To have the opportunity to see all of my designs really come to life without sacrificing any part of them has been truly fulfilling.”
Hanifa Will Debut First In-Person Runway Show in Washington D.C.
On November 16 at the National Portrait Gallery in Washington D.C., groundbreaking women’s ready-to-wear brand Hanifa will be staging its first in-person runway show. Hanifa Dream follows the successful virtual 3-D show of the Pink Label Congo Collection. Additional information about the show will be released in early November, and the collection will be made available online directly following the show on November 16.
The Museums Honors Patrick Kelly
The Fine Arts Museums in San Francisco will be honoring the “life and legacy” of designer Patrick Kelly through their fall and winter programming. The Museums are “proud to present a variety of programs in person at the Museums through [their] Free Saturdays initiative and digitally through [their] successful Virtual Wednesdays program,” per a press release provided to The Root. October 23 is the Patrick Kelly Opening day celebration, which will feature a panel conversation from exhibition curators Laural L. Camerlengo, Dilys E. Blum and Bjorn Guil Amelan, a variety of food trucks, live music and an interactive family-inclusive art program.
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