Designers to Watch for at NYFW
By Tyshca Nicole
With New York Fashion Week just a little over a week a way, the anticipation increases as many can’t wait to see what brands are going to showcase this fashion season. The percentage of Black-owned businesses on the official program for New York Fashion Week last year was over 25%. This year, the number is expected to increase as many up and coming designers make it to the scene. The Fifteen Percent Pledge and the Black in Fashion Council, both of which work to combat systemic racism by giving Black designers more exposure and opportunities, have contributed to this moment of historic significance. Here are some designers you should know and follow.
Brandon Blackwood, a Jamaican-Chinese designer, created his namesake label. Blackwood was raised in both New York City and Tokyo, with brief periods in Southern Asia. In the spring of 2015, after graduating from Bard College, Blackwood debuted a four-piece collection of leather handbags. The brand received immediate press notice in Elle, Vogue, and WWD, among other fashion magazines.
APOTTS is a gender-neutral line of simple, sleek, and season-less garments that may be worn year-round as a smart uniform. The line consists of interchangeable pieces in neutral tones and practical fabrics. designed to appeal to people of various sexual orientations, sizes, and ages because true fashion has nothing to do with appearance or passing fads. The attention to detail and aesthetic quality of the shapes and other design elements create a sense of lightness and freedom. The collection takes its cues from several sources, including contemporary art, traditional garb, and industrial workwear. It's full of their enthusiasm for humanity, their appreciation of the arts, their joy in recognizing and honoring those in the creative community, and their desire to encourage others to accept themselves.
"Junny Ann Hibbert, a fashion designer from Harlem, had her first official New York Fashion Week presentation with "Mama," The Collection, a tribute to her mother. The first collection featured brilliant silk dresses, caftans, and bomber jackets in a rainbow of colors. Hibbert spoke elatedly about its ability to provide clothing in unisex sizing and designs."
LaQuan Smith
His unusual work piqued the eye of fashion icons and risk takers such as Beyonce, Rihanna, Lady Gaga, and Kim Kardashian, who were all early fans. Since its official debut in 2013, the company has received praise for its never-ending archive of unique outfits and features. Smith has built an equally vibrant private order clientele that stretches from Lagos to London.