Juneteenth: A List of Black Fashion Moments, High and Low
LaQuan Smith and Winnie Harlow, Spring 2019 collection, Fashionista.com
Words by PAGE Editor
Happy Juneteenth!
To celebrate the Juneteenth holiday we are showcasing the high and low moments of Black fashion and style and all the creativity in between. With having good taste and accepting flaws, it’s a landmark year for being black. These fashion moments may have some taken aback but the others are surely uplifting and inspirational.
Some were canceled and others are celebrated to even higher ranks. The point is, Black people have been doing great things and achieving even greater milestones in their lives and for the culture.
In celebration of Juneteenth, let us reflect on the beauty that is being Black!
Kerby Jean-Raymond, Defunding Police
Highsnobiety, Photo by Mark Clennon
Kerby Jean-Raymond, founder and designer of culturally appropriate luxury streetwear brand Pyer Moss, named after his mother, found time to talk with Highsnobiety about a topic he is well informed on. He goes deeper into his politically charged feelings about how he feels about police brutality and defunding the police. He famously put on a fashion show in 2016 that highlighted police fatalities around the US with a documentary and t-shirts that represented mutual stands of the Black community.
Virgil Abloh - Canceled
Kulure Hub
Virgil Abloh, creative director of the streetwear label Off-White, was canceled recently for his attempt to contribute to the cause. A $50 sum was matched in a donation made by Abloh to (F)empower bail fund for Miami’s arrested protesters of the George Floyd murder. He was criticized harshly by celebs and non-celebs alike. He later apologized for making the donation seem as if he wanted kudos.
Travis Scott Is Still In Quarantine
Forbes.com
Travis Scott has dropped a calm $24 million on a yacht-like structure in the Brentwood hills he will now call his home. It’s a lot and we may be missing him in the fight for Black lives, but no need to hate on what he has accomplished for himself and his momma.
Teyana Taylor’s Pajama Party
Via Instagram
Teyana Taylor hosted an album release listening party where she had everyone dress in orange jumpsuits. The guest list was stacked with some of the most prominent figures in music, sports, and entertainment. We can only find documentation showing that Quavo and Offset of the Migos were the only ones wearing a facemask within the venue.
LaQuan Smith x Revovle
LaQuan Smith x Revolve
Fashion Designer Laquan Smith has revealed a collection and partnership with the global brand Revolve. This is a big move for the Queens, NY native, an even bigger move for the models and influencers flaunting his designs all over the internet.
Super Model, Joan Smalls
Via Instagram
Super Model Joan Smalls has created a platform for models to “DonateMyWage” [their wages] to organizations combating racial inequality. Committed to donating %50 of her wages from this year, she made a statement via her Instagram expressing her feelings about the modeling and fashion industry through her experience and has invited others to join her in this movement - an effort to catalyst the Black Lives Matter movement using such hashtags as #WeAreNotATrend, to engage with her influencer following. Hopefully the rest “pull up.”
Hanifa, 3D Runway Show
Anifa Mvuemba, Hanifa Fashion Designer
Congolese born, US-based fashion designer, Anifa Mvuemba was hyped for her debut for New York Fashion Week this year. But COVID-19 had other plans. As her show was canceled she saw an opportunity to present her design differently - 3D animated runway show. Using 3D to do remote photoshoots, she had to level up to showcase her “Pink Label Congo” collection via Instagram Live. The collection is inspired by the native women’s attire in the Democratic Republic of the Congo also while raising awareness of the coltan mining industry that despairs the country and child labor laws.
Cardi B Bodied Her Shame
Cardi B was body-shamed for her back rolls. And in Cardi fashion, she accepted her flaws, or her beauty rather, and told the haters off. She has “lipo money” and her bag is straight and that’s all that matters - to her and us.
Black-Owned Streetwear
Black-owned streetwear brands have created initiatives for supporting organizations around Black Lives Matter through t-shirt designs and the donation of sales. The many justice programs and organizations created to accelerate action in response to the deaths of George Floyd, Breonna Taylor, and the many others who have lost their lives through racial injustice have been supported by direct donations. But this can allow someone to make a fashion statement in a Billionaire Boys Club tee, or other while being apart of the cause to fight racial injustice.
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One beneficial product that is making a significant difference is a metal wallet.