BLK N FSHN

Profile: How the Telfar bag became a cultural status symbol

August 23, 2021 14:05 - 9 minutes - 8.36 MB

Telfar skyrocketed to the status of the It bag of 2020 and continues to sell out immediately after the launch of a new collection. The bags have been seen on names as big as Solange, Gigi Hadid, Demi Lovato, ASAP Ferg, Oprah, and Beyonce - but did you know this It bag was created by a queer, Black designer based in New York City? In this episode, I’ll discuss the origins of the Telfar bag, the designer behind its creation, and how this brand is able to democratize the idea of luxury fashion...

Interview: From Retail to the Runway (feat. Justin Haynes)

August 06, 2021 13:39 - 23 minutes - 21.1 MB

Justin Haynes is the founder and CEO of RTW fashion brand JUS10H. Justin launched his brand after leaving a successful career in retail and hasn't looked back since. Over the last decade, JUS10H has shown collections internationally, been featured in several major publications, and has even been adorned by some big names in entertainment. This week, Justin and I discuss his jump from retail to fashion design, his experience building a RTW brand outside of a major fashion capital, and the imp...

Review: Pyer Moss Couture 1 - Take 2

July 22, 2021 14:30 - 10 minutes - 9.89 MB

On July 10, 2021, Pyer Moss premiered their couture collection, returning to the runway after a two-year hiatus. This collection, titled “What U Iz”, brought the creativity and innovation of Black inventors to the forefront of a society where their contributions are oftentimes more overlooked than not. Creative Director, Kerby Jean-Raymond, also made history as the first Black American designer to show during Couture week. For this episode, I'll discuss the 5 reasons why this show has proven...

Interview: Le Fashion Lab (feat. Nicola Watson)

July 08, 2021 20:25 - 15 minutes - 14.5 MB

This week I interviewed Nicola Watson, the founder of Le Fashion Lab, based in Atlanta, GA. Nicola created Le Fashion Lab to provide students of all ages with hands-on, technical skills and business savvy needed to launch their own careers in fashion design. During this interview, we discuss the inspiration behind Le Fashion Lab, Nicola's background in fashion design, and common misconceptions about starting a career in fashion. **This interview was conducted pre-COVID, so no COVID updates...

Interview: Timeekah Murphy on Designing for Beyoncé

June 17, 2021 15:46 - 24 minutes - 22.8 MB

Its been nearly one year since Beyoncé dropped the epic visual album Black is King as a companion to the 2019 soundtrack for The Lion King remake. The music, choreography, and visuals were unforgettable, but many also agree that the fashion took center stage in this production. For this week’s episode, I was able to connect with one of the talented designers whose pieces were featured in this amazing project. Timeekah Murphy is the founder of the Alani Taylor brand and co-founder of Dévian...

Discussion: 'Ruth E. Carter: Afrofuturism in Costume Design’ at SCAD FASH (feat. Co-Curator, Rafael Gomes)

June 03, 2021 07:30 - 17 minutes - 16.1 MB

Academy Award-winning costume designer Ruth E. Carter was the first Black person to ever win the Oscar for Best Costume Design for her work on Ryan Coogler’s Marvel superhero film Black Panther (2018). Prior to this win, she’d previously been nominated for her work on Amistad (‘97) and Malcolm X (‘92). She’s also credited for films such as School Daze (‘88), Do the Right Thing (‘89), What’s Love Got to Do with It (‘93), B*A*P*S (‘97), Love & Basketball (‘00), and Selma (‘14) just to name a f...

Profile: Elaine Welteroth

May 19, 2021 12:17 - 13 minutes - 12.2 MB

You may know Elaine Welteroth as one of the co-hosts on CBS The Talk or as a New York Times Bestselling Author, but did you also know that she was the first Black Editor-in-Chief of Teen Vogue and only the second Black EIC in Conde Nast history? Under her leadership, she increased Teen Vogue’s coverage of politics and social justice, encouraged readers to become civically engaged, and developed the magazine’s first YouTube channel, featuring content on diverse subjects from campus-style to c...

Interview: Prep Curry x Banana Republic

May 05, 2021 12:29 - 16 minutes - 14.8 MB

On April 5, 2021 Banana Republic announced a collaboration with Los Angeles-based designer, Prep Curry, in a dual-gender capsule collection. This self-taught designer is best known for his bold use of color and print, with floral being a key signature pattern. For the season premiere of BLK N FSHN, I interviewed Prep Curry where we discussed his incredible journey which led him to this collaboration with one of the world’s largest fashion retailers.

Hello again world!

April 22, 2021 14:59 - 3 minutes - 5.91 MB

...and we're back! Here's a quick update BLK N FSHN and where I've been.

Interview: Desiree Celestin & the Zimmermann Internship Nightmare

July 27, 2020 13:57 - 22 minutes - 20.3 MB

Many brands have jumped onto the performative allyship bandwagon with posts proclaiming Black Lives Matter despite histories of discriminatory, micro-aggressive acts within their own businesses. These brands include, but are not limited to, Reformation, Anthropologie, and Ferragamo just to name a few. Luckily, many of these brands are being called out by former employees of color for their blatant hypocrisy. This week I was able to connect with former Zimmermann intern, Desiree Celestin...

Discussion: Hanifa's 3D Collection & Fashion at the Forefront of Revolution (feat. THE HGHLT)

June 25, 2020 02:01 - 39 minutes - 36.3 MB

All eyes were on Anifa Mvuemba as she premiered her collection on IGTV using 3D renderings of each garment. This moment was an industry game-changer and has since received praise from the biggest names in the industry. In this episode, I profile Anifa's growth as a designer. Between the global pandemic and social uprising, the fashion industry is facing a reckoning where innovation and progression have become paramount now, more than ever before. Join me and special guests, Brooke Sharee &...

Profile: Kerby Jean-Raymond

June 10, 2020 19:21 - 18 minutes - 34.6 MB

Kerby Jean-Raymond is the founder of high-street fashion label Pyer Moss and an unapologetic activist. The Haitian-American designer is known for using his platform to share the Black American experience while speaking his own truth through creativity. His collections have touched on subjects such as police brutality and mental health while sparking controversy and debate within the industry. This episode profiles the growth, obstacles, and success of Kerby Jean-Raymond as he developed from ...

Bonus Episode: 'The First Monday in May' Critique with Sarita from we.wear.now.

May 07, 2020 18:01 - 18 minutes - 16.8 MB

The 2020 MET Gala: "About Time: Fashion and Duration" was postponed this year due to the global pandemic. In this episode, I connect with Sarita from Los Angeles-based fashion blog we.wear.now, to discuss the documentary "The First Monday in May" where we critique themes within the highly publicized and controversial 2015 Met Gala: "China: Through the Looking Glass". Watch the entire review on Instagram @we.wear.now.

Bonus Episode: The Kente Club Co

April 08, 2020 14:02 - 23 minutes - 21.8 MB

As COVID-19 continues to impact millions of people worldwide, businesses, big and small, across all sectors of fashion and beyond are doing their part to help combat the spread of this virus. The Kente Club Co. was one of the first brands I found that created stylish, affordable face masks. After ordering a mask myself, I had to connect with the founder of this emerging brand. Check out this bonus episode interview with the founder of The Kente Club Co, Kerene Nelson. To learn more about thi...

Interview: Miss. Jay Alexander

September 18, 2019 13:32 - 28 minutes - 39.5 MB

What better way to end this season than with an interview with legendary runway coach, Miss. Jay Alexander?! Best known as one of the main judges from America's Next Top Model, Mss. Jay has worked with models across the world from names like Naomi Campell to young models walking their first show. Take a listen as Miss. Jay shares insight on what it takes to break into the competitive world of modeling while sharing his own background and inspiration. Thank you all for your continued support,...

Discussion: The 2019 LVMH Prize Winner & New CFDA Board Member Appointments

September 09, 2019 12:22 - 11 minutes - 10.3 MB

Last week, Thebe Magugu was the first person of African descent to be awarded the LVMH Prize for emerging fashion designers. Learn his story and how he came to achieve this prestigious award. Following the controversy of jewelry designer and CFDA Board member Kara Ross, Tom Ford has appointed several new members of the CFDA Board, all of which are people of color with 3/4 being Black designers.

Interview: Tia Whitfield & Retro Rewind Vintage & Thrift

September 02, 2019 15:37 - 12 minutes - 11.3 MB

One day, I was walking the streets of Philadelphia when I came across something that both caught my eye and piqued my interest. It was a traveling vintage & thrift store, a concept that was fairly new to me. After exploring the shop, I made a purchase and met the owner, Tia Whitfield. After talking with her about her unique business, I invited her to share her story with us on the show! If you're in the Philadelphia area, check out Retro Rewind Vintage & Thrift! You can follow them on Instag...

Profile: Virgil Abloh

August 26, 2019 11:57 - 13 minutes - 12.8 MB

You cannot go far in today's fashion industry without hearing his name. Whether you know him as the Artistic Director of Louis Vuitton Menswear, the founder of Off-White, or recognize his name from his iconic collaborations, Virgil Abloh has risen as one of the biggest names in fashion of today. Some may call him the king of "hype" since everything he touches becomes a trending topic, but where did he come from and how did he gain so much notoriety in such a short amount of time?

Discussion: Are 'Diversity & Inclusion' the Latest Trend in Luxury?

August 21, 2019 06:09 - 36 minutes - 33.2 MB

Last month, Chanel and Gucci both announced new Heads of Diversity & Inclusion. This comes at a time where fashion brands have repeatedly made headlines over accusations of racism throughout the year. Has hiring a Head of Diversity & Inclusion just become the latest fad, or can these efforts actually bring about change? This week, we discuss these PR scandals along with their impact on brand image and customer reception with special guest and fashion-media expert Brooke Sharee. Follow her on...

Interview: Mimi Plange

August 12, 2019 09:30 - 38 minutes - 35.6 MB

Ghanian-born designer Mimi Plange has been featured on the pages of Vogue and Harpers Bazar with her designs worn by names like Michelle Obama, Serena Williams, and Rihanna. After a decade of working in the New York fashion industry, Mimi launched her own ready-to-wear brand inspired by modern American luxury sportswear with an infusion of dark romance and international influence. This week, Mimi shares her background, inspiration, and advice for aspiring designers who want to make it in the...

Profile: Ann Lowe

August 05, 2019 09:39 - 14 minutes - 13.2 MB

Designer, dressmaker, couturier, businesswoman, and entrepreneur are a few of many titles used to describe our subject for this week. Described as "Society's Best Kept Secret" Ann Lowe is one of America's forgotten legends whose work rivaled some of the biggest names in fashion, yet she never received the credit she deserved during her lifetime.

Episodes