Category: Fashion

After-Party Fashion at the 2023 Oscars Was as Bold as Glamorous: The Looks Revealed

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At this year’s Vanity Fair Oscar’s After-Party, archival and off-the-runway fashion were a sartorial theme throughout. From a bralette feather as bra-armour to blooming anthurium detailing to barely-there crystal gowns to more-is-more pouf; the range of fashion gracing this year’s blue carpet left no shortage of bold. Ahead, the party-approved looks in detail that both awed and wowed.

ADWOA ABOAH

Blooming at the seams, Adwoa Aboah looked stunningly beautiful in off-the-runway SS23 Loewe. Styled by Karla Welch, the diaphanous flow of the gown matching with the iconic anthurium the brand is synonymous for was as ethereal as cool on Adwoa. 

LAURA HARRIER

Laura Harrier was statuesque and ever-so mod in Saint Laurent by Anthony Vaccarello. The sheer, opera-length sleeved gloves with the fur trim rounded the look for a bygone, yet timeless sartorial nod.

HAILEY BIEBER

photo @haileybieber

The little black (cocktail gown), anew. With the split sleeve and attached bow, Hailey stunned in custom YSL. To the after-after part(ies), Bieber embodied mermaid-core to its scaliest wearing an iridescently paletted micro-mini from Valentino Haute Couture.

SARAH PAULSON

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Off-the-runway Nina Ricci Fall/Winter 2023 paired with Boucheron glistened on Sarah Paulson.  

GABRIELLE UNION-WADE

In a plunging v-neck, Gabrielle Union was classically gorgeous in sequined Ralph Lauren. 

CIARA

Ohh, ohh…wow. Ciara was all crystals and sheer in Peter Dundas. Styled by Mariel Haenn, the halter-neck dress was accessorized with velvet opera gloves.

HUNTER SCHAFER

Wearing Ludovic de Saint Sernin’s debut AW2023 collection for Ann Demeulemeester, Hunter Schafer was as cool as angelic in this ‘fit. Styled by Law Roach, the feather bra became armour as the light-as-air drop-waist skirt balanced the look.

ASHLEY GRAHAM

Sexy nightwear? Meet the Oscars. Draped in a custom, off-the-runway FW23 Dolce & Gabbana, Ashley Graham was ravishingly party-ready. 

GRETA LEE

Sartorially speaking, Loewe was the stylist’s go-to for after-hour chic. Stylist Danielle Goldberg opted for the drapey, ethereal-like gown on Greta from their FW23 collection.

KENDALL JENNER

All that glitters is archive Gautier. Kendall was channelling mermaid-core in this shimmering gold JPG. To the after-after part(ies) as posted on her social, Kendall wore Ann Demeulemeester AW2023 wearing a chocolate-hued bolero and drop-waist skirt. 

IMAAN HAMMAM

Imaan was ever-so modestly chic in a ruched, hooded YSL gown. The look was completed with a gold cuff for a regal appeal.

KERRY WASHINGTON

Archival gowns were a mainstay at this year’s Oscars after-parties. Wearing vintage Donna Karan, the dress had a paper-like deconstructionist appeal with the intermix of ruching and pleats down the centre of the dress. 

EMMA CHAMBERLAIN

To this year’s after-party, Emma wore KNWLS. According to the brand, the sheer deep-blue look was in three parts: a bodysuit, skirt, and bandeau, all custom for the event.

GIGI HADID

Gigi brought an old-Hollywood glam moment in Zac Posen which was fitted to perfection. 

BILLIE EILISH

In a hyper-pouf gown from Rick Owens, Billie was gothically chic and cool. 

Taylor Russell is Fashion’s Latest Muse: Discover Her Best Style Moments

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Everyone’s been talking about Taylor Russell. From a Tom Ford-era Gucci archive to a bulbous Loewe pom-pom jacket, it’s the stylish starlet’s world, and we’re clearly living for it. The Loewe muse has become one of fashion’s biggest stars thanks to her equally off-the-runway and high-low, effortless approach. Think: Jeans for the red carpet. Her best style and beauty moments below. 

As the newly minted brand ambassador for Loewe, Russell was recently cast for its Spring 2023 ready-to-wear collection wearing an off-hip junted black velvet dress and looked as stunning as ever. Showcasing her style oeuvre to amongst her followers on her social, Taylor wore a Loewe bulbous pom pom jacket with white panties and denim and leather ankle boots. Taylor’s hair was off-parted and sleek.

It’s one of those style moments where one doesn’t fail to forget. Giving new energy into a Tom Ford-era Gucci cropped fur bolero, she brings heavy Y2K vibes and makes it anew. Styled by Ryan Hastings, pairing the timeless hero crop with strappy sandals and denim made Taylor look undeniably chic.

A keen eye for vintage, Taylor donned this Fall 2007 Ralph Lauren gown at the Venice Film Festival. Sourced from Aralda Vintage, this look was a more demure and feminine viewpoint to her bold and otherworldly style repertoire. Old Hollywood glamour needn’t look too far. Hair and makeup were just as standout with hyperreal skin and a sleek, Eton crop ‘do. 

For the Loewe muse, Taylor was donned in the brand’s must-have, pillowy bomber. Its a shape-shifting nod to the nineties. She paired her look with the brand’s baggy anagram jeans at a screening in November for #BonesandAll. The hyper-realized voluminously of the bomber is anew & cool for the red carpet. And, on her off-days, Taylor paired the bomber with vintage Levi’s and an Aries ‘No Problemo’ baseball cap. 

It’s clear that in any look that Taylor finds herself in, she completely transforms. A dynamic penchant for the avant-garde, an off-the-runway Schiaparelli look from Fall 2022 Couture was proved to be as stunning and surrealist as the ensemble was a play of shapes and structure. The ballerina-pink corsetry paired with the draped skirt, cropped jacket, and wide-brimmed hat imbued the look with a sense of sensuality and ceremony. Through Peter Lux, hair was kept sleek & by way of MUA Bea Sweet makeup involved a winged eye and peppered lip. 

To achieve vampy, gothic glamour, McQueen never fails to be the ultimate style choice. Wearing the brand’s Spring 2023 all-leather halter-neck dress complete with matching arm’s length gloves, Taylor was all main character energy. In contrast to her go-to sleek bob, hair was maintained as more tousled.

As an architect of transformation, the only way was up for Taylor’s hair. Peter Lux coiffed Russell’s hair into waves with extensions and ‘extra strong AF hold hairspray’. As the look was angelic as ever, Taylor aptly wore a brilliant white Loewe Spring 2023 gown completed with a black bow. MUA Kennedy kept Taylor’s skin luminous and fresh, finished with an elongated cat’s eye. 

Kendall Jenner Has Amazing Off-Duty Style for Fall: See Her Best Looks from NYFW

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Florals for fall? Of course. This Fashion month, Kendall Jenner has had New York calling for the best street style approaching this season. Reiling on a primarily neutral hued palette, Kendall’s stylist-in-tow Dani Michelle knows a thing or two about groundbreaking celebrity off-duty style. Boosting a chic repertoire whose client list includes Kourtney Kardashian Barker & Hailey Bieber, Michelle sticks to the basic elements of a model-approved wardrobe with a twist. From an off-the-runway Spring 2023 Proenza Schouler polka-dot combo to a vintage Prada moment, these must-need-now ‘fits are the perfect inspiration for heading into autumn, Kendall-style. 

This Khaite minidress combined with Kendall’s calf-length boots are giving western-inspired vibes with a feminine touch. The look was completed with a Khaite suede tote. 

Kendall donned this dreamy Proenza Schouler halter-neck maxi paired with The Row boots. Emphasizing her silhouette, the gathered ruching added interest and shape. The takeaway? Summer’s not over yet. When wearing florals in cooler months, layer rich autumn tones & textures for dimension and point of difference.

Game, set, chic. Bottega has been a style staple in Kendall’s wardrobe, and this maxi is no exception. For the ultimate preppy vibes, she completed her ‘fit at the Men’s US Open final with Bottega teardrop earrings, The Row thong sandals, and a Ralph Lauren baseball cap. Style tip? Mixing preppy elements (i.e. the cap) & modern elements breathes new energy into enduring classics. The navy cap makes the feminine look more relaxed yet 90s super cool. 

@danixmichelle @sara_riff

A creamsicle pop for fall? Yes. For the perfect accompaniment to a jeans and tank combo, a pastel-orange jacket keeps the model’s on-the-go look bright but timeless. The takeaway? Experiment with new colour approaches this season. 

@danixmichelle @kendalljenner

The (literal) high-low approach to polka dots. Being on Kendall’s style repertoire, this Spring 2023 Proenza Schouler off-the-runway crop & floaty dot set is sartorially spot-on. Feeling bold? Mix your dots.

It’s Prada or nada. This 90s Prada canvas dress is giving all the nostalgic feels. The leather harness straps and nipped waist makes this sporty archival dress forever-chic. 

The PVC Shoe: The Ultimate Summer Trend for 2021

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Call it as we must. The mid-nineties to early-noughties have imprinted their sartorial influence this season & a new, post-pandemic world involves a wardrobe that reckons with an unabashed, sexual confidence. PVC shoes make this case. It’s the trend to be waxed (plastic) about. 

This saucy style has re-emerged as a compelling argument for more-is-more. It definitely does all the talking. Fashion is certainly having its footing with this summery throwback. Amina Muaddi ornaments her fluted, pyramidal-heeled styles with crystal encrustment. The ultimate when-fairytales-come-true “glass” slipper – though one shouldn’t leave these amiss after the crack of midnight. Gianvito Rossi opts towards a sleek approach with a pointed toe sole finish. It-girl footwear crush Paris Texas unleashes the aughts & pairs their styles with a Western-style redux detailing (think: faux croc). Designed with copious colour (i.e. pastel pink & neon green), & serious embellishment – it makes way for an eclectic, unapologetic femininity. Leaving little to the imagination in all its reveal, is this the subtly sexy shoe for inhibition-less IRL dating? It’s certainly fantastic. 

Delicate yet striking, bold yet sexy, the PVC shoe lends itself as the ultimate party-ready adornment ranging from ultra glamour to refined-pretty. Perfect for wintry party-wear as well. Better yet? The eye travels further when wearing this style as it adds length to any frame for an elongated silhouette. It’s an empowering, transformative stance. Retro yet oh-so current, these are meant for utter bliss.

Style Tip: These are meant for show. Wear these at your next cocktail party or gathering. Style with either a monochromatic or a saturated-hued dress. Your favourite LBD would add balance to the style. Wanting to add a dose of off-duty chic? Pair with your favourite denim. Cropped works best. Highlight these with an open-vent legging for cooler days. 

The Simone Rocha x H&M Collection Has Arrived: Here’s What to Discover…

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The dreamy Simone Rocha x H&M drop has just arrived…and it is as ever Simone as her penchant for ribbons and beads would show. The trademark collection embodies an avant-garde, come-as-you-are sense, a freshness that’s expectedly Spring including lightweight trenches, breathy cotton, & beaded knits. 

Relying on Fashion’s familiar faces such as Tess McMillan, Adwoa Aboah, Kaia Gerber, & Paloma Elsesser, the multi-month campaign was brought to life (literally!) with THAT Phygital Pop-Up Book.

Simone gets her audiences lost in her maddening attention to detail – yet always, the beautified garments maintain their grounding in Earthy practicality. And it’s ethereal perfection. What can one expect? The Rocha’ed genius of contrast. Dresses are flirtatiously designed to highlight the waist through the Irish Chinese designer’s signature voluminous sleeves and hips. 

Sheer coats were etched with romantic details i.e., THOSE headwave-making beaded breast-outliners as shown in her SS21 Collection. Elegance is added via pearl-trimmed collars on an off-white cloqué dress. Lace detailing completes a painterly floral dress. Bows are made to modern corsetry on tulle dresses and blouses. Cloqué fabric (think: jacquard) was romantically made anchor to the dresses. Subtle hints to post-lockdown flirtation?

Simone tributes her Irish roots with doses of tartan grunging floaty frocks, and thus edging the collection with a complete balance of femininity. Pearled brogues, feathered ballerinas, & chunky-soled slides are what’s in for footwear, and whose artful eccentricity is found in her homage & heritage to Hong Kong. Hair (by way of Rocha’s go-to hairstylist Cyndia Harvey), is preened into ribboned bow clips and statement-making headpieces, securing this collection as a portrait of Simone’s femininity. 

Simone Rocha Spring Summer 2021 Ready-to-Wear

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Distilling the elements of femininity for Simone Rocha often involves a Gothic imagination (i.e. the ‘Blood Drip’ earrings), and her Spring Summer 2021 Collection isn’t without exception: intelligent dressing set the sobering showcase as de rigueur for the Irish Chinese designer. Against the backdrop of an unprecedented defined year, Spring is a state of being, a consciousness – and Simone is proving that once again. It is raw and tentative. 

Trickling down to the fashion community, hesitation was felt with every stitch. But what was created out of austerity was an unforgettable moment of creative resilience. Enter the Dublin-born Rocha, whose grounding approach to SS21 is a foreboding, emotional reminder that the tide always turns. Simone (though she prefers a runway showcase) opted for a digital display and physical presentation. 

And her collection typifies a Rocha’ed signature: Metamorphosis. Each one of Simone’s collections is a graduation of its former. Cycles of rebirth echoed her SS21 collection.  

It was an acapella of a shadowy-lit assemblage. A spiritual awakening. Here’s how.

Simone’s collection was a code of contrast: delicate and structured. Beaded crop-tops were armour to a poplin co-ord and silk button-down set. Airy organza coats were etched with what-fairytales-are-made-of castle landscapes. It’s in these details the designer quietly reveals herself. 

Ornate jacquard was a structural and decorative foundation to scoop neck dresses and coats. Rococo-esque detailing such as voluminous draping was on display. For instance? Take the modern open-vent polonaise ensemble: Heavily embroidered material is gathered to form a shape akin to a puffball, emphasizing the hips.

PHOTO: JACOB LILLIS
PHOTO: JACOB LILLIS

With Simone: It always involves ribbons. But too much is never enough. Tulle dresses were given a bondage-y upgrade with the silky fabric. Footwear was prima-perfect with pointe-style shoes. The must-have? Simone took things to new heights with a part-ballerina, part-kawaii girl platform-soled shoe, which was a ‘pointe’ of difference to the regal ensembles. It’s a maddening fantasy with all the right moves.

The ultimate personifier of pragmatic femininity? Embellished breast outliners. Hero for the SS21 collection. 

Makeup artist Thomas de Kluyver kept an ethereal approach to Spring beauty throughout. Victorian-era outdoorsy-like blush was applied high on the cheekbones as the under-eyes were kept pale & dialled-down with a (couple or more!) flush of white powder. Pigmented hues such as creamy orangey-tang & rouge were graced across the tip of the nose and cheeks with a soft yet controlled hand—a better-than-the-alternative face tune. Eyes were given a sweep of shadow for contrast.

Hair was maintained at bob-length and coiffed into Hellenic-style ringlets by hairstylist Cyndia Harvey. The (literal!) crowning glory? Beaded bonnets of diamante and pearls were weaved in a mathematical, triangular fashion and were placed on the head with pin-curls poking through. Indeed, hair was as regal as modern. 

The sum: It’s an alchemy of innocence & strength, an unbreakable combination that deeply appeals to the designer. As an ode to the Spring we lost, it was a poetic dialogue of re-discovery. 

Stranger worlds could only be dreamt.

Black-Owned Fashion Businesses You Can Support Now & Always

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photo via Brother Vellies

As we’ve been following the ongoing, devastating consequences of systematic racism globally, we’ve been looking to be continually conscious on how we can dismantle this system of oppression through raising the profile of Black-Owned Businesses & Designers. Too often in the Fashion Industry, Black talent is neglected despite significant contributions to this realm.

To be an anti-racist ally for change, with our collective support and buying power, we can vote with our dollars and prompt economic & cultural transformation. We’re putting a spotlight on outstanding Black-Owned Businesses you can support now & forever. *Images are linked*

Brother Vellies

Founded in 2013, Brother Vellies is a footwear & accessories brand which was established by Toronto-born Creative Director and Founder Aurora James whose premise was to celebrate cultural heritage through traditional African craftsmanship & techniques, with an emphasis on feminine eclecticism. James founded the 15 Percent Pledge based on a call-to-action for brands to increase their shelf-space of Black-Owned Businesses to 15%.

photo top left and middle via Brother Vellies

Cushnie

Embedding an ultra-feminine sensibility into the decidedly sensual aesthetic of her namesake brand CUSHNIE, Creative Director & CEO Carly Cushnie artfully formulates sex appeal within her womenswear collections, emphasizing on form & structure. Cushnie’s Spring ’19 NYFW Runway Show marked the emancipation of her first solo collection and defined the brand as assuredly luxurious & sophisticated. Expect fluid silhouettes, sumptuous silk charmeuse, & re-imagined necklines.

photo via CUSHNIE. photo top right via CUSHNIE

Lisa Folawiyo

Merging West African textile traditions with modern silhouettes, globally-renowned Lisa Folawiyo melds perenially-chic femininity with alluring craftsmanship. With Ankara dress-wear as inspiration, through fanciful embellishment & texture, Lisa Folawiyo transforms the tradition of African aesthetics as decadently anew & as decidedly hers with her namesake label. Adorning Solange, Lupita Nyong’o, & Lucy Liu; discover beautifying motifs within her collections.

photo top left and middle via Lisa Folawiyo
photo via Christopher John Rogers

Christopher John Rogers

The architect of THAT bulbous strawberry-shaped cropped top, Christopher John Rogers is a force to be reckoned through his unapologetic use of vibrant colourways, harmonious showcases of lustrous silk, & experimental silhouettes. Exemplifying self-assured celebratory femininity, the Louisiana-born designer was the top recipient of the CFDA/Vogue Fashion Fund Awards in 2019. Expect voluminous shapes & all-encompassing captivating details.

photo via Christopher John Rogers. captured by Ibragim Gatsiev. photo middle right shot captured by Tre Koch & Raoul.
photo via TyLynn Nguyen. shot captured by Ford

TyLynn Nguyen

Alluring. Architectural. Decadent. For lovers. Balancing sensual femininity with empowering strength, TyLynn Nguyen achieved a perfecting sartorial formula to a beautifying collection of the most luscious and luxurious undergarments. Her self-titled collection consists of intimate mesh panties, refined underwire-less & laced triangle cup bras that move with you with maximum comfort.

photo via tylynnnguyenoffical
‘homecoming’. photo via Sindiso Khumalo. shot captured by Jonathan Kope

Sindiso Khumalo

Based in Cape Town, South Africa, Sindiso Khumalo is a prolific textile designer who merges sustainable fabrications with African storytelling in her alluring designs. A distinct narrative that embraces her Zulu & Ndebele heritage, Sindiso Khumalo’s namesake brand evokes a visual language of empowering identity through ornate patterning & silhouettes married with the promise of ethical craftsmanship.

photo via Sindiso Khumalo
photo via Sindiso Khumalo
photo via EDAS. shot captured by Carolyne Loree

photo via EDAS. shot by Carolyn Loree. photo bottom left via EDAS. shot captured by Luna Antonia Arboleda

EDAS

Embracing eclectic, unapologetic femininity punctuated with detailed colourways and contrast, EDAS is a sustainable accessories brand regarded for their ornate jewelry & supple leather goods. EDAS’ collection, “edas x Mexico” fuses founder’s Sade Mims creative talents with the artisanship of makers in Leon, Guanajuato to form a line that unveils a beautified, authentically-crafted narrative of Mexico. Discover their Charro One Shoulder Wrap Top, Luna Earrings, & Charcoal Delantal Top.

photo via Jade Swim

Jade Swim

Dreamt by Stylist and Fashion Editor Brittany Kozerski, JADE Swim is a minimalist yet sensual swimwear line laden with innovative silhouettes and styles. Regarded for its shape-enhancing cuts, JADE honours its alluring namesake from nature. Bright & Earthy tones reign within their sporty collections. Your next Summer uniform begins with their editorial-approved “Evolve” One-Pieces.

photo via Jade Swim

Sincerely, Tommy

Kai Avent-deLeon established Sincerely, Tommy in Brooklyn, New York where unbearably chic high-end emerging designers are stock-listed. Located in the neighbourhood of Brooklyn’s Bed-Stuy, Sincerely, Tommy maintains an eclectic aesthetic while diversifying to community-orientated ventures with the launch of S,T Coffee, S,T Well, & S,T Eat & Stay. Avent-deLeon launched her thoughtfully-priced line, Sincerely, Tommy, capturing the essence of fresh femininity discerning shoppers crave.

photo via Sincerely, Tommy

photo top left and middle right via Sincerely, Tommy

photo via Sincerely, Tommy. shot captured by Anthony Bryant

Thebe Magugu

Contemporary with nods to cultural storytelling, established in Johannesburg, South Africa, Thebe Magugu is a Fashion Brand that emphasizes on women’s ready-to-wear. From stitch to finish, Magugu’s designs are conceptualized and manufactured within the African continent. Woven within the fabric of his collections, Magugu’s approach to sartorial design embraces his African roots, which perfected through reimagined tailoring.

photo via Thebe Magugu. shot by Kristin-Lee Moolman
photo via Thebe Magugu. shot by Kristin-Lee Moolman

Matte Brand

Unapologetic sexiness with an embrace to sartorial 90s fashion defines the editorial aesthetic of Briana Wilson’s line, Matte Brand. Defining a decade into modernity, Matte’s latest collection, “Matte 1992”, epitomizes unabashed femininity. The cult-loved brand is at the forefront of representation which includes women of colour, shapes, & body types. Find forever essentials such as their body-hugging leisurewear.

(top & bottom left) photos via Matte
photo via Matte
photo via lemlem. bottom right: photo via Net-a-Porter. shot captured by Cass Bird

lemlem

Anchored in its literal translation to “flourish” & “bloom”, lemlem is ever-reminiscent of a brand whose moral-driven mandate is woven within the fabric of their DNA & the embodiment of its Amharic-lended namesake.

lemlem founder Liya Kebede sought to preserve traditional weaving techniques, & safeguard the market for locally produced goods & employment opportunities from her native Ethiopia. Made entirely in Africa, beautified, decorated patterning and gentle colour palettes awash the Ethiopian brand’s elevated aesthetic.

Third Crown designers Kofi & Kristin Essel. photo via Third Crown for StylingSOUL. shot captured by Erica Génécé. photo bottom right via The Folklore.

Third Crown

Derived from a namesake that symbolized a powerful union, Third Crown designers husband-and-wife couple Kofi and Kristin Essel conceptualized an aesthetic that celebrated their Ghanian & Jamacian roots. With a synchronous discerning allure for architectural structure and geometric design, Harlem-based Third Crown reimagines show-stopping jewelry as elegantly understated. Storytelling through gestures of love.

TOVE

Standing for strength and beauty inspired by the artist herself, TOVE is a London-based brand conceptualized by co-founders Camille Perry & Holly Wright following demonstrated industry experience. TOVE is defined by its minimalist, yet decidedly feminine aura, which is exemplified by its languid silhouettes and considered fabrications.

(top left) photo via TOVE. (bottom left) photo via TOVE. shot captured by Georgia Devey Smith

photo via TOVE. shot captured by Georgia Devey Smith

Aisling Camps

From an unconventional start as a Mechanical Engineer, Caribbean-raised Aisling Camps found herself as a graduate at FIT & must-know Fashion Designer with the fruition of her namesake label. The Brooklyn-based designer’s signature essentials include her enchanting fringe-mapped basics, & drop stitched cable knit sweaters finished with lace-like interwoven sofilo yarn. Thoughtfully-curated, globally-minded pieces are made dreamlike & wearable.

photos top right and middle via Aisling Camps
photo via shopmcmullen. photo bottom left via shopmcmullen

McMullen

From Christopher John Rogers to Jacquemus, the ultimate edit of emerging & established designers is nestled at Sherri McMullen’s namesake concept store, McMullen. The Bay Area-founded, all-inclusive brand features African and African-American designers based in the apparel and home décor industries. Transcending trends; elevated, eclectic, and sophisticated brands with an editor’s sartorial insight are yours to discover at McMullen.

photo via Wales Bonner. shot captured by Harley Weir. photo middle right via Wales Bonner

Wales Bonner

Otherworldly and transcendent, Grace Wales Bonner’s Menswear & Womenswear collections are a tactile exploration of identity, race, and culture. Wales Bonner’s gender-fluid designs evoke a merging of European and Afro-Atlantic traditions, emphasizing intellectual conceptions of literature, critical theory, and art. Soulful and contemporary, signatures are distinguished through sharp tailoring.

photo via Wales Bonner. shot captured by Stef Mitchell

For more information on how your can donate & support worthy causes, please visit 15 Percent Pledge & Black in Fashion Council