Marvel Studios Black Panther hit theaters yesterday and it has been madness.
What do you get when Marvel’s Black Panther and New York Fashion Week collide?
If you know anything about the designer brand Chromat, you know that they are always serving up superhero vibes. Each collection explores the idea of merging architecture, fashion and technology, with a special focus on empowering women. So when it came to teaming up with Disney and Marvel to make a one of a kind look, inspired by the film Black Panther, it was a perfect match. Chromat was founded by Becca McCharen-Tran in 2010 and has taken off with superhero speed since then. We had the opportunity to sit down and speak with Tran alongside fellow Chromat designer Tolulope Aremu. Check out what these two unapologetic women had to say in our exclusive interview below.
Can you tell us about collaborating on this project with Disney and Marvel’s Black Panther?
Tolulope Aremu: When we got this project, I immediately thought okay, Black Panther, super hero, African, Chroma babes … And the first person I thought of was my mother. I’m 100% Nigerian, so growing up in our household, seeing her cultural garbs and her Ankara fabrics fill the closets from like brim to brim; it seemed very natural to put this Ankara into the look. Then when we finally saw the film and saw the technology behind it, it seemed like we had to add a tech element to it. So, we added neoprene, as well as a bonding fabric. Then to kind of wrap it all into the chroma babe world, we added the cages to the dress, as well as the halo piece behind me. Adding all those three things into one look seemed very natural. Then putting that look inside Wakanda was very fluid and it just kind of worked.
Do you feel like this look could be a part of your collection or is within the same realm with the message your brand portrays?
Becca McCharen-Tran: I would say definitely one unique thing about this piece is that we made it for plus size models specifically, and that’s something that we are always trying to encourage more of in fashion. Not only diversity in race and ethnicity, but in body size and shape. So we’re always about highlighting plus sized, curvy models, as well. I would say it’s funny we’ve never worked with a print before for our main line but this project was really special to be able to work with this Nigerian Ankara fabric. But a lot of the other shapes with the neoprene is very much in line with us … it’s super Chromaty.
What dose this experience, being a part of this collaboration, mean to you personally?
Becca McCharen-Tran: The Black Panther project was so major. It’s a huge, huge deal. It’s changing the world, so it’s a huge honor to be apart of it.
Tolulope Aremu: Just to have any small part of this whole thing was really an honor and a privilege. It’s just going to take over the world. Just to have like a little dab … in it, is just amazing.
Do you have an ideal person or celebrity that you would love to see in the look?
Tolulope Aremu: When I thought of designing this look, I thought … I didn’t want it to be tribal. I wanted the look to be for a Nigerian queen, going to this Wakanda event, wearing this piece that she got from Chromat and was like, I’m gonna wear this and slay all day. That’s what I thought of.
What is your super hero piece? When you wake up some mornings feeling blah and you feel like “I need to put this on so I can conquer the day”.
Becca McCharen-Tran: For me it’s eyeliner, cat eye, like liquid liner.
Tolulope Aremu: For me it’s the three dots that I put here (points next to her eye). It feels like war paint and it kind of represents my mom, my dad, and my brother.
Be sure to check out Marvel Black Panther in theaters February 16.
This event was brought to us by Marvel Studios and Disney and sponsored by Lexus, Lancôme and benefits Save The Children.
Photo Credit @withlovetammyb
Celebrating her 20th anniversary, this season Tracy Reese teamed up with Cantu Beauty Products.
Tracy Reese unveiled her spring/summer 2018 collection during New York Fashion Week. The event took place at Pier 59 Studios and was full of fabulous hair moments from models and guest alike. “The inspiration for this show is individual beauty and what the women themselves bring to the clothes” Reese exclaimed. Cantu creates ultra-nourishing beauty products that allow your authentic beauty to shine. Sharing this aesthetic made Cantu x Tracy Reese the perfect match. I got the chance to join all the backstage magic and speak with one of my favorite key hair stylist, Bok-hee.
Check out what she had to say about using Cantu Beauty Products and working with Tracy Reese.
Key hair stylist Bok-hee
-What was it like using Cantu Beauty Products?
“They are such a great product line. The inspiration was very care free. So what we did was use the co-wash all over the hair to give it a clean fresh look. Then we use the thermal shield to give the hair a more finished look. So if the ends were fried or if the ends were a little bit dry we just used a bit in our hands and ran it through the hair. Then we blow-dried it, or curled it, or gave it whatever it needed. After that, we used the edge stay gel and just put it in the hair so it feels like they’ve been running around a bit, a little sweaty, and a little cool. That was the idea and why we used the Cantu products that way.”
-You have been working with Tracy for a while now, tell us what that’s like.
“She is so lovely to work with. She comes up with the idea then we kind of go back and forth and have a conversation about what I feel. She allows me to say what I think which is very rare to have now because they usually say this is what we want – this is it! Tracy allows me to be free in a collaborative effort and when we agree we move on. She is very open-minded and I love that.”
The idea of strength, individuality, and celebrating each girl’s natural look was evident. Seeing so many different hair types and textures presented in one cohesive collection was totally refreshing. Often times in this society and in the fashion world women are lead to believe unrealistic beauty standards. Many women forget that being our unique natural selves is the best way to be. Thanks, Cantu x Tracy Reese ss18 for the remainder!
Get the look step-by-step:
Step 1: Start by spraying roots and lengths of hair with Cantu Refresh Dry Co-Wash for a clean, conditioned base.
Step 2: Next, spray hair with Cantu Thermal Shield Heat Protectant and blow hair out smooth using a round brush.
Step 3: Once hair is smoothed out, use a 1 ½ inch curling iron to create subtle curls at the lengths. When finished, loosen up the curls with your fingers for a more subtle wave.
Step 4: Lastly, mold hairline around the part and face using Cantu Extra Hold Edge Stay Gel to stand up slightly.
Photos by TammyB
Refinery29’s multi-sensory playground 29Rooms returned to New York Fashion Week.
WOODHOUSE GETS PLAYFUL FOR SPRING/SUMMER 2018
HEAD OF STATE+ makes its debut at New York Fashion Week: Men’s
Bristol Los Angeles puts a new spin on old streetwear classics from the early 2000’s
Daniel Hechter showcased its spring/summer 2018 collection at Dune Studios during New York Fashion Week: Men’s. As Daniel Hechter was new to this season’s New York Men’s Day roster I marked it down as a brand to watch. Although new to me Daniel Hechter Paris is a French label with 50+ years under their belt.
Krammer & Stoudt returned to New York Men’s Day for the presentation of its spring/summer 2018 collection. The east coast brand didn’t stray away from its west coast vibes, however, it did offer a more laid back technique. Michael Rubin the designer behind the brand pulled inspiration from his childhood camping trips in Baja Cali: a Mexican State bordering California.
Models were super chill surrounded by shimmering silver pop-up palm trees and soft lighting which helped create a more mellow aesthetic. The collection itself was a contemporary bohemian So-Cal feel infused with a southwest latin twist. Hues of blue were the primary color palette used. The line also added pops of cream, beige, green, and purple. Intricate stripes, embroideries, and graphic prints were prominent in the collection as well. Featured pieces were casual suits, light sports jackets, silk-like button down shirts, ankle length cuffed trousers, short knit robe-like sweaters, and matching short and shirt sets.
Although some of the pieces may look a bit heavy for summer to the eye their soft, light, and airy to the touch. This was achieved by the use of several fine fabrics, chief of which were sponsored by Albini Group.
The Albini Group is an Italian textile house responsible for producer of some of the world’s finest shirting fabrics. This they partnered with the CFDA and New York Men’s Day to donate a selection of luxury fabrics to New York’s most promising emergent designers.