How Áwet New York and Kenneth Cole Partnered To Support Black Businesses With A Holiday Pop-Up Shop
Áwet New York "livewear" hoodie, and sweat pant.
COURTESY OF ÁWET NEW YORK
By Cassell Ferere originally published on Forbes.com
Kenneth Cole has been a New York City staple for almost 40 years. Equally, African-American culture has been a part of American culture for generations, offering a plethora of influences we know, recognize and love today. Kenneth Cole is supporting the influences of African-Americans and Black culture with a Holiday pop-up.
The Fashion industry veteran and staple, Kenneth Cole, has served as Áwet Woldegebrial’s mentor in building the “livewear” label Áwet New York since its inception. Woldegebrial is the son of a 30-year veteran tailor who owned a retail store in Eritrea. Migrating from East Africa during a regional war, Woldegebriel and his family found asylum in the U.S., founding his Awet New York label in 2020. His namesake is rooted in his culture, ‘Áwet’ meaning ‘victory’ in a native Eritrean language known as Tigrinya.
Adolophine is focusing on bringing African artisanal craftsmanship to the world through luxury.
COURTESY OF ADOLOPHINE
Áwet New York is a black, refugee-founded lifestyle brand partnering with Kenneth Cole to host a Holiday Pop-Up highlighting black-owned small businesses from December 17 to 19. Kenneth Cole has harbored and supported the Awet label and its founder as part of its overall mission. Cole says, “Áwet is a talented designer who is also a good friend and fellow activist. Our personal values, and those of our brands, are aligned and it has been great watching him build his business.”
The holiday pop-up will feature ten of these small-black owned businesses that represent culture through the African diaspora lens and around the globe. In addition to Áwet New York, participating brands will include Adey-Abeba, founded by former model and activist Maron Mamo, Mckenzie Liautaud, a precious gems jewelry designer, Adolophine, focusing on bringing African artisanal craftsmanship to the world through luxury, and ready-to-wear from Marco Hall. There is also Royal Jelly Harlem, African-inspired clothing and home decor, Kristian Lorén Lopez womenswear, JULIAN JOSEPH KYLE who works from African-American history, jewelry by Don't Let Disco, and 2•4•1 Cosmetics by Eritrean refugees Feven & Helena Yohannes.
2•4•1 Cosmetics founded by Eritrean refugees Feven & Helena Yohannes.
COURTESY OF 2•4•1 COSMETICS
“Supporting young-talent is something I am proud to be able to do, and I am grateful to have our store space that we can offer up in support for these black-owned businesses and to hopefully connect them with consumers this Holiday season,” says Cole of the curated list of designers and brands.
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