Meet Zandra A. Cunningham One of the Youngest Millionaires in America

HYPE MAGAZINE

BY RICHVONGOD

November 14, 2022

Photo credit: Unknown

This article honors Cunningham for being one of the world’s youngest and wealthiest entrepreneurs. What started as a “No” from her father and a kitchen table hobby, Cunningham branched her passion into the professional beauty industry. Her products emphasize sustainability and social good. As the businesswoman who was recognized as the “Etsy Open Call Golden Purchase Order”, it is exciting to look forward to the other ways Cunningham will expand their entrepreneurial endeavors.

“This girl-powered all-expenses paid day for girls have one goal: to connect girls with their community and provide educational options and ideas.”
— richvongod
Source: https://www.thehypemagazine.com/2022/11/me...

In the Middle of Fashion Week, Gucci Traveled to Detroit for a Gucci Changemakers Celebration

VOGUE

BY JEREMY LEWIS

September 13, 2022

Photo Credit: Zack Whitford/BFA.com

This article commemorates the contributions Gucci has made to the global fashion industry. For instance, in 2017, Gucci assisted Dapper Dan’s studio by reviving it from its 25-year long inactivity. In 2018, Gucci donated $500,000 to March for Our Lives to advocate for gun control. In 2019, the company created its own scholarship to support grass-root organizations called Gucci Changemakers North America. Gucci focused its attention on Detroit — hence, they participated in the festivals during Detroit Month of Design. Later parts of the article talks about how Gucci continues to contribute to other areas of the world beyond fashion.

“‘The industry, corporations, and the world are changing. This is all happening right on time. I loved that it’s happened and I love the joy that Gucci gets out of it.’”
— Bethann Hardison

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Source: https://www.vogue.com/slideshow/gucci-chan...

The Best Looks From Afropunk Brooklyn 2022

VOGUE

BY MICHELLA ORÉ

September 13, 2022

Photo Credit: Denise Stephanie

This article discusses the highlights of the Afropunk Brooklyn 2022 festival. With musicians, beauty gurus, and fans expressing their inner traits through powerful clothes, Vogue captured their favorite fits.

“Stylish attendees arrived at Commodore Barry Park on September 10 and 11 in a spectacle of leather, stacked chains, and colorful prints to match the energy of their favorite artists.”
— Michella Oré

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Source: https://www.vogue.com/slideshow/afropunk-b...

Black Beauty Boys Are Broadening the Pathway to Inclusive Beauty

ELLE

BY NERISHA PENROSE

August 26, 2022

Photo Credit: Courtesy + Design Leah Romero

This article discusses the emerging black male leaders in the skin care industry, specifically Pharrell Williams and Dorion Renaud. Pharrell Williams is known for his naturally amazing skin; recently, he reached out to his friend, Naomi Campbell, and created a skincare brand called Humanrace. Every product in Williams’ collection is dermatologist approved. His mission is to create a skincare set men can use without worrying about society’s commonly held notion that anything beauty related is for women only. The article then talks about Dorion Renaud, a model and founder of Buttah Skin. Renauld shares his journey of discovering his passion for skin care and overcoming society’s gender norms. 

“‘Back then, it wasn’t really something instilled or taught to men—that you needed to cleanse, exfoliate, and moisturize your skin,’”
— Pharrell Williams

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Source: https://www.elle.com/beauty/makeup-skin-ca...

Michael Strahan Launches The Newest Grooming Solution On The Market

VOGUE

BY GREG EMMANUEL

September 8, 2022

Photo Credit: Courtesy of Brand

Michael Strahan, the Emmy Award winner and NFL star, has recently launched a skincare product, Michael Strahan Daily Defense, through a partnership with Evolved By Nature. Not only is this product perfect for the healthy look, its manufacturing is also eco-friendly. These products will now be available at your local CVS.

“‘Taking care of your skin is an important component of developing a daily routine,’ Strahan stated in the release. ‘Michael Strahan Daily Defense grew out of my own need for a quality, hassle-free daily skincare regimen that really works.’ The debut collection includes a face and beard wash, shaving lotion, moisturizer, after-shave products, and beard oil.”
— Greg Emmanuel

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Source: https://www.essence.com/beauty/michael-str...

Serena Williams Opens Vogue World Runway In Custom Balenciaga

VOGUE

BY LIANA SATENSTEIN

September 12, 2022

Courtesy of Getty Images

The opening of NYFW starred the tennis legend Serena Williams who was wearing a custom made Balenciaga dress that was supplemented with a silver cape. Her runway was accompanied by four other women dressed in tennis-wear. The article discusses her decision to retire and her iconic, non-conventional outfits. 

“‘I want people to remember me as the girl who changed tennis or just was able to bring something new to the game.’”
— Serena Williams

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Erykah Badu On Walking Her First Runway for Vogue World

VOGUE

BY LIANA SATENSTEIN

September 13, 2022

Photo credit: Emily Malan

In an interview hosted by Vogue, Badu shares her experience of going ont he runway for the very first time during this year’s NYFW. She wrote an outfit, styled by Alex Harrington, of multiple layers that combined Bode, CDLM, ERL, all of which were enhanced by her own Badu World accessories. Perhaps the most eye-catching component of her outfit was her signature hat — “Manuela Mexico”, a chapeaux designed with a tall crown and red bandana. The hat she wore on the runway was designed by Badu and Gunner Foxx.

“If guests sitting front row at Vogue World heard a jingle from her neckful of medallions, that was on purpose. Badu loves the sound of her baubles. ‘I love that the garments that I get to wear have sound and movement and make music. The beads and metal pieces and things that I constantly add to my wardrobe are parts of what makes me, me,’ she says, ‘I love my clothes to sing.’ And they certainly did.”
— Liana Satenstein

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Lil Nas X Hits Fashion Week With Coach and His Favorite Stuffed Animal

VOGUE

BY ANDRÉ-NAQUIAN WHEELER

September 13, 2022

Photo credit: Aaron Idelson

Lil Nas X, the grammy-winning singer/rapper, attended New York’s Fashion Week for the first time by dressing up in personalized Coach wear. Lil Nas X has always been wearing Coach, especially during his Montero World Tour — hence, the musician was chosen to be the brand’s ambassador. Donning as Rick James, Lil Nas X dressed in a vest, shorts, and jelly sandals during the leather-based show.

“He said he is a big fan of the tributes to American style that creative director Stuart Vevers has delivered: ‘I think Coach and I stand for a lot of the same things—self-expression, innovation, and rewriting the rules in fashion. I also love them because they really believe in me and they’ve made so many amazing outfits for me and for my tour.’”
— Lil Nas X

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Fashion Designer Justice Marley Is More Than Her Last Name

VOGUE

BY ANDRÉ-NAQUAIN WHEELER

August 24, 2022

Photo credit: Richard Brooks

Justice Marley is the designer and founder of More Justice, a brand that combines menswear with womenswear by utilizing eco-friendly materials. More Justice’s newest collection launched minimalist-themed hoodies, tees, and sweatpants; the minimalist design was inspired by the vintage clothesline of J.Crew and Gap. All of the brand’s sets and production missions will be showcased on a variety show called Tomorrow People: Making It Marley, which is expected to begin its filming in October.

“‘I’m drawn to menswear too because I grew up in a male-dominated space,’ Justice says. ‘There’s a lot of men in my family.’ For her personal wardrobe Justice likes to take menswear pieces and mix them with womenswear to ‘create something tough but sexy.’ She plans to employ a similar blending of aesthetics and silhouettes for her own line. There will also be an emphasis on sustainability and upcycling fabrics.”
— André-Naquian Wheeler

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Cyndia Harvey Is Flexing Her Backstage Bona Fides With an Innovative Scalp-First Hair-Care Line

VOGUE

BY FUNMI FETTO

August 23, 2022

Photo credit: Getty Images

Cyndia Harvey is a Jamaican-born hairstylist who shares her story of working as an Black, overlooked hairstylist to becoming the cofounder of T.H.O.M., a scalp-based hair-care brand focusing on those with textured hair. Her mission with T.H.O.M. is to rebuild the Black hair-care routine in a more positive and enthusiastic light. The brand's first drop is expected to come this fall where they will release a nutrient-high growth and cleansing hair mask.

“‘A lot of people still see the Black hair market as a niche business,’ she says, pointing to a handful of disappointing investment conversations she’s had around future expansion (Black women still receive only 0.2 percent of venture capital funding). ‘But we spend so much on beauty’—$6.6 billion, according to a 2021 study. And therein lies her proof of concept: ‘One reason Black women are spending that much is because they are constantly searching for the right products. That’s our main intention,’ Harvey says. ‘We want you to stop that search.’”
— Harvey

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An Afrocentric Fashion Boom in the Streets and Presidential Palace

ESSENCE

BY KIMBERLY WILSON

August 11, 2022

Photo credit: unknown

Archyn Orijin is the founder and executive creative director of Orijin Culture, a brand founded for activism purposes and sells handbags and accessories. The brand is known for its designs that represent African culture and history — most popular is their Africa shaped bag, a product created to spread unity and eliminate stereotypes against the African continent. During an interview with Essence, Orijin states that the mission of Orijin Culture is to share the beauty of African heritage all the while creating products to give buyers a chance to share their individual stories by using Orijin’s designs; his main goal is to tie African descendants together while creating more products that represent his activism endeavors.

“The stories I hope to share through Orijin Culture are embedded into our brand name as an acronym — O.R.I.J.I.N.C.U.L.T.U.R.E stands for Our Root Is Just Inseparable, Nonetheless, Cultivating Unity & Love; Through Understanding, Reconnecting Empowers.”
— Archyn Orijin

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An Afrocentric Fashion Boom in the Streets and Presidential Palace

NEW YORK TIMES

BY JULIE TURKEWITZ

August 6, 2022

Photo credit: Nathalia Angarita

There is rising popularity for the Afro-Colombian aesthetic boom by using fashion as a political statement. The article centers on three main figures of the movement: Esteban Sinisterra Paz, Francia Marquez, and Lia Samantha Lozano. Paz, the fashion designer for both Ms. Marquez and the first Black vice president in Colombia, is a newly emerging-designer who focuses on fashion that shows the history of the decolonization of humanity. Owning his own brand, his most famous product is a set of earrings designed as a map of Colombia. Ms. Marquez is a politician who challenges social customs by choosing to wear bold prints over formal shirts and suits. Lia Samantha Lozano is the first Black woman to participate in a runway show at the Colombiamoda, a large fashion event, and sells African-culture related clothes in Bogota. Together, the team supports the movement by promoting bold prints that represent African culture (often related to nature).

“‘A big part of the plan was to make us feel ashamed of who we are, of our colors, of our culture, of our features,’ she went on. ‘To wear this every day, not as ‘fashion,’ not to dress up for a special occasion, but as a way of life, as something you want to communicate every day — yes, it is political. And, yes, it is a symbol of resistance.’”
— Ms. Lozano

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Teva Foot And Coco & Breezy Collaborate To Create A Chic Outdoor Collection

ESSENCE

BY EMERALD ELITOU

August 18, 2022

Photo credit: unknown

Coco & Breezy is an eyewear brand that recently collaborated with Teva, a brand of Deckers Brands. Together, they launched a collection of shoes and sunglasses that are eco-friendly and gender neutral. The goal of this collaboration was to express the love for the outdoors while celebrating personal styles. In addition, Coco & Breezy is donating $25K to the Intersectional Environmentalist’s Earth Sessions program to support art-education related programs and endeavors against climate change.

“This campaign shows a lot of melanated people enjoying life outdoors. We know that when we were growing up, we didn’t see a lot of Black women in photos chillin’ in the outdoors (other than at cookouts). We thought being outdoors in the woods wasn’t for us.”
— DJ sisters

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Lehwatch Is the New Label Fusing Ethiopian and Canadian Culture

VOGUE

BY CHRISTIAN ALLAIRE

August 9, 2022

Photo credit: Lehwatch

Growing up in a conservative environment in Ethiopia, Maisha Marshall-Ende wanted to grow out of her bubble and recreate Y2K looks. She started her journey by going to Canada to study fine arts, and her experience with the differing lifestyles of Ethiopia and Canada inspired her to create her brand, Lehwatch, in 2019. Her latest collection, the Mattress Movement, is designed with colorful and complex shapes, and Marshall-Ende describes herself using these designs. She states that her plan for the future is to open a pop-up shop in Ethiopia and create more collections that represent her disposition.

“‘I was very Canadian living in Ethiopia,’ she says, ‘but I was really Ethiopian living in Canada.’ This juxtaposition between her two identities is what eventually inspired her to launch her brand, Lehwatch, in 2019.”
— Christian Allaire, Vogue

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How Mimi Kamara Redefines Beauty Unconventionally

VOGUE

BY KARYL J. TRUESDALE

August 10, 2022

Photo credit: Unknown

In an interview with Mimi Kamara, a NY-based makeup artist renowned for her different approach to skin-focused beauty, she shares her story of how she began her career as a makeup artist: previously being a psychology major in college, her passion for makeup grew stronger as she worked at Dior and M.A.C. until she became an independent makeup artist. Kamara shares her tips on how to be a successful makeup artist, such as knowing how to respond when clients request unsuitable makeup looks and making new clients feel comfortable. She finishes her interview by asserting that her trust in God is what facilitated her success.

“There is no fashion industry without the Black MUA! Period. That’s how important it is. Period.”
— Karyl J. Truesdale, CFDA

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Career Conversations: Good American VP of Brand and Marketing Patrick Buchanan

VOGUE

BY RASHAD BENTON

August 12, 2022

Photo credit: Juliet Nelson

Patrick Buchanan shares his story of how his interest in marketing commenced. Growing up in Kentucky with 10 other siblings, Buchanan aspired to develop his career outside of his home town by finding chances to grow out of his “shell”. He normally planned on pursuing a career in journalism and broadcasting in NYC, but after working at Creative Recreation, he developed an interest in marketing. He helped rebrand K-Swiss and was then promoted to Vice President of Good American, a brand marketing campaign to empower women of all identities and backgrounds.

“I received an email one day with the words ‘Good American’ in the subject line. I was really happy with where I was at the time, but it sounded like such a great opportunity. After I did my research – looking at their social channels, PR campaigns, and the founders’ backgrounds –I was like, ‘Wow, this is a really cool company,’ but not only that, the brand has a great purpose and stands for something bigger. It’s more than just selling merchandise; it’s helping uplift women. I had a meeting with Emma, and I cannot remember why, but I do recall coming out of that one-on-one in tears. It felt like destiny and the right next step in my career.”
— Rashad Benton, CFDA

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Ib Kamara Is the New Art and Image Director at Off-White

VOGUE

BY LUKE LEITCH

April 30, 2022

Photo credit: Unknown

Following the death of Virgil Abloh, founder of Off-White, the brand announced Ib Kamara as their art and image director. Ib Kamara was the winner of the Isabella Blow Award (at the British Fashion Council’s The Fashion Awards). He has been a part of the company’s creative team for a great number of years, and the crew will work together to maintain and expand the work of Abloh. In an interview, he stated that by the time he’s 40, he wants to create a new, higher standard for imagery.

“‘Having Ibrahim on board, who has been part of the Off-White family for years styling our shows, to oversee art and creative of the brand in this next chapter is a great honor. With his talent and vision we look forward to taking on the next chapter of Off-White together, always remembering the groundbreaking creativity and values that Virgil had at heart and that are the core of our brand.’”
— Vogue, Andrea Grilli

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At Head of State, Designer Taofeek Abijako Is Looking Forward—and Giving Back

VOGUE

BY CHIOMA NNADI

February 14, 2022

Photo credit: Maya Suchak

Taofeek Abijako, the founder of Head of State, shares his story of starting his own fashion brand because of philanthropic intentions and watching his brand grow throughout the years. He launched his first womenswear collection: Homecoming, inspired by the Festival of African Culture in ‘77 (a festival in West Africa that celebrated Black culture). Homecoming was displayed to the public through a series of dance performances to African songs. Taofeek Abijako continues to donate today, as he is called the “Hometown Hero”, and influences other designers around him to do the same.

“‘I accidentally started a fashion brand,’ says the designer, whose label is named after Kuti’s landmark protest song, ‘Coffin for Head of State.’ ‘I honestly just wanted to sell enough T-shirts and hoodies to be able to help the folks back home.’ Abijako and his family moved to Albany, New York, from Nigeria when he was 12 after his father, a fashion designer by trade, won the visa lottery. He launched Head of State out of his bedroom as a senior in high school with no formal design training…”
— Vogue, Taofeek Abijako

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Meet the Top Graduates of Pratt Institute’s Class of 2021

VOGUE

BY LAIRD BORRELLI-PERSSON

May 28, 2021

455BD708-394F-49DB-925F-42EB96469DB3.jpeg

From Pratt Institute’s Class of 2021, designs by: Dong Hyun Oh

The thesis collections of Pratt’s class of 2021 were created under extraordinary pandemic-time circumstances. Motivation, not to mention materials and access to studio space, was sometimes difficult to muster, yet many graduates found inspiration in limitations, and support from friends and family.

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