Music industry multi-hyphenate, Pharrell Williams, has been named Louis Vuitton’s Creative Director of Menswear following the late Virgil Abloh. The position starts immediately and he will show his first collection June 2024 during Men’s Fashion Week. This is great Black History Month fashion news!
Image Credit: Getty Images
One thing I have enjoyed watching is the positive reception Black content creators have been getting on their Amazon the Drop collections. So much so, a few, including Jenne’ have gone on to design multiple Drops. It shows that what Black people create reaches diverse audiences and the Black dollar is green and spends too! Jenee’ announced on her Instagram that her long awaited collection will be available this Tuesday, April 19, 2022! This is typical of Drop collections as you are only notified a few days ahead of time.
Staying true to her style aesthetic, the collection’s theme is elevate simplicity. There are two long sleeve midi dresses featuring slits and open backs. The lack of embellishments on the garments allow for the multi-functionality of the pieces. Wear with stilettos or sneakers and both will look fab.
The tailored trousers are a dream! Coming in both lavender and khaki, either pair can be a staple into the summer. Throw a chunky sweater on top or a fitted turtle neck or body suit and they can carry you into fall and winter. The asymmetrical front zipper adds interest the the wide legs adds sophistication. Chef’s kiss.
I normally don’t teach for a jumpsuit as I am partial to dresses, but I understand the draw. I even have one or two in my closet. Jumpsuit lovers love them for the same reason I love dresses, they’re easy, comfortable, one piece, and can be dressed up or down. This khaki jumpsuit Jenee designed is elevated with the collar and appears backless which adds sex appeal. It cinches in at the waist and also is wide legged. I love the fact that is does hug the body and gives you room.
If you want to shop the moment it is released, you must sign up for the notifications.
Brandon Blackwood has quickly become a favorite amongst the handbag community. The young Black designer hit many of our radars when Kim featured his End Systemic Racism “ESR” on her Instagram during the pandemic. Since, then he has has several releases with all of them selling out. Brandon gas announced another upcoming drop: The Salvator Collection.
The 6-piece collection is made of Salvator lizard material and from what has been posted, will come in the Cara, Arlen, Kuei, and the Bamboo B tote. The other two styles remain to be seen.
The collection will be limited edition as with it being handmade of special materials, so expect a higher price point than what we’ve seen with his usual bags.
There is no advertised release date, so if you’re interested, sign up to the mailing list or turn on your post notifications.
Amazon’s The Drop is a series of limited-edition collections curated by prominent fashion influencers. Diva Chronicles previously reported the announcements of collections by Blake Gifford of Signed, Blake (Who went on to release another collection and several re-releases as her collection was so popular,. And yes, I have pieces in my closet.), and Jenee’ of High Low Luxxe has released a collection as well (Yes, I shopped that one too!). Next up, dynamic fashion sister duo, Nasteha and Nuni of The Yusufs have announced their collaboration with The Drop.
Video Credit: The Yusufs
The pieces featured in the sneak peek video are not the full collection as it still has to be pared down, but you can see the themes and what type of pieces you will get in the final collection. AS it is a reflection of their personal styles, we can expect tailored trousers in classic multifunctional colors such as crispt white and chocolate, matching military-style jackets, oversized blazer vests, and dresses with interesting hemlines and cut-outs to add interest. As an added bonus a print shirt or dress will make the final cut. We will have to keep our eyes peeled for the final collection.
Nasteha and Nuni announce their collection is scheduled to be released in December, Amazon doesn’t announce the release dates far in advance, it is best to sign up for their text notifications. Based on past experiences, the date will be announced about a week and a half prior, and text notifications will go out when it is available to shop, which is normally around 11 a.m. EST. Don’t expect it to be after Christmas, so an estimated date could be no later than December 10, 2021.
Follow the Yusufs on their social media platforms and sign up for Amazon The Drop notifications if you plan to support the sisters and buy a few pieces.
Cover Image Credit: The Yusufs
Fun Fact: I went through a major Sperry boat shoe and New York and Company button-down phase my freshman year of college. I would pair them with jeans or shorts and that was my uniform. #Memories
Rhythm and blues crooner, John Legend, has partnered with the iconic boat shoes turned lifestyle brand for a men’s shoe collection. Styles include classic boat shoes and boots.
See the collection in motion below.
Video Credit Sperry
Beyonce & Co made our weekends with the promo video of her upcoming Adidas backed collection from Ivy Park. She pays homage to her Texas roots with a rodeo collection. Denim chaps and body suits, three-stripe adorned denim jumpsuits, and the usual athleisure were featured in the video. Other surprising, yet appropriate, features were the inclusion of real life cowboys and cowgirls, ropers, and other musicians who call Texas home like Tobe Nwigwe, his wife Fat, and their producer friend Lanell aka “Nell” Grant. The full length stories of everyone who made a cameo can be seen on Ivy Park’s Instagram. Glynn Turman, known for his role as Colonel Taylor on the 80’s-90’s hit show, A Different World, and his granddaughter Melinda Siegel also share their stories on how they fell in love with horses.
Get ready, because Ivy Park Rodeo is sure to sell out when it is released on Augusta 19, 2021. Get your coins ready and set your alarms!
Tracy Reese and Naturalizer have collaborated on a sustainable shoe collection
Hope for Flowers, her slow-fashion business model was inspired by color, her own personal wardrobe, and her signature floral prints and hand-painted stripes for the collection. Each style is personally designed by Reese in her Detroit-based studio. (Footwear News)
The Hope For Flowers x Naturalizer line, which is set to launch in March 2022, will include nine styles including flats, espadrilles and kitten heels, in colors such as scarlet red, sapphire blue, and fuchsia. The insole boards will be made from recycled molded plastic, recycled linings, and select fabric uppers made from sustainable yarns.
“I launched Hope For Flowers because I wanted to have a social enterprise as well as a clothing brand. The key to my vision is collaborating with like-minded brands to continue to drive change. Naturalizer is on its own path towards increased sustainable offerings, all the pieces fit. This is an environment I want to be part of,” Reese said in a statement. (Footwear News)
Proceeds from Tracy Reese x Hope for Flower Naturalizer collection will benefit Nest, a non-profit working to advance the artisan and maker economy. The funds will go toward Nest’s Makers United program, which provides free resources and market access opportunities to micro-maker businesses across the country with a focus on increasing diversity within local creative economies.
Article Credit: Footwear News, Image Credit: Tracy Reese
I let out an audible gasp when I saw this collection. LOVE! The tiered floral mini dress??!! I have to have it! This collection is so good, I can’t wait! Christopher John Rogers is a Black American designer based in New York. He has dressed A-list celebrities such as Beyonce, Jennifer Lopez, Lizzo and First Lady Michelle Obama. He and most recently came into more prominence after it was revealed her dress Vice President Kamala Harris on Inauguration Day.
This collection will be apart of Target’s Designer dress Collection that began with the Cushnie collection last year. The size range is from XXS-4X and the cost will max out at $60. The collection will debut later this spring (May 16) so keep your eyes peeled. I know I am!
This article was update to include the release date of the collection.
Coach has teamed up with Champion, an athletic brand that has regained popularity over the past few years, for a limited edition collection. It includes purses, belt bags, leather jogger sets and more! Prices range from $250-$2,300. The leather joggers are going fast!
Check out the entire collection and shop here.
Image Credit:Coach
Veteran costume designer, Ruth E. Carter, known for her work in Spike Lee’s Malcom X, Ava DuVernay’s Selma, and Ryan Coogler’s Black Panther, among others will have some of her most notable designs on display in an exhibit entitles “Ruth E. Carter: Afrofuturism in Costumer Design.” It is open for viewing at the Savannah College of Art and Design Museum in Atlanta, Ga. More than 60 costumes will be on display including the ones she designed for Denzel Washington for Malcom X, Oprah Winfrey for Selma, and the late Chadwick Boseman for Black Panther.
Ruth E. Carter: Afrofuturism in Costume Design is open for viewing now through September 12, 2021.
southerndivamagazine.com 