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On Monday night, it went down during NYFW at Industria Studios as people flocked out to ‘Black Panther: Welcome to Wakanda’, a charity presentation featuring 10 designers who contributed pieces by inspired by the film.
Sponsored by
Redken and Lancome, the night featured pieces from brands such as Chromat, Cushnie et Ochs, LaQuan Smith, Ikiré Jones, Sophie Theallet, Brother Vellies, and TOME, all auctioned off to support Save the Children.
As the most-anticipated movie of the
year—no doubtedly amongst audiences who are truly excited to see an
all-Black cast—the night’s charity event proved that Black Panther isn’t just a film, it’s certainly a lifestyle.
Source: Jamie McCarthy / Getty
Source: Jamie McCarthy / Getty
Source: Jamie McCarthy / Getty
Source: Jamie McCarthy / Getty
Attendees for the night included models Leomie Anderson and Precious Lee, as well as Elisa and EJ Johnson, Shaun Ross, Slick Woods, Carra Patterson, and more.
Source: Jemal Countess / Getty
Source: Jamie McCarthy / Getty
Of course, leading men Michael B. Jordan and Chadwick Boseman were in attendance. They look so dapper!
Lupita Nyong’o and Danai Gurira both were the ladies in red for the festivities. Lupita wore a Cushnie Et Ochs jumpsuit, pairing the look with a gold plated necklace, Ankara clutch, and bantu knots.
Source: Jamie McCarthy / Getty
For Chromat’s
collection, the design encapsulated the strength of motherhood and
women everywhere, the dress made of ankara fabric from Lagos. “When
creating this Black Panther-inspired #Chromat look, the first thing
that popped into my head was my muse: my mom,” said Chromat designer Tolu Aremu on Instagram.
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“At Chromat, we design for strong, powerful, unapologetic women and empower women of all shapes, sizes, and colors. The Black Panther film
introduces strong black superheroes and cultural diversity with Africa
as its backdrop. In my eyes, my mother is the most powerful, selfless,
unapologetically strong Nigerian #ChromatBabe I’ve ever known.” She
concluded the inspiration of the look, saying, “From the colorful gele
to the bold patterned Ankara, and down to the Chromat cage and
silhouette, I wanted this look to embody her colorful and bold spirit.”
Source: Jemal Countess / Getty
For designer LaQuan Smith,
playing on the movie’s advanced technology and womanhood also proved to
be a capsulating theme for his black sequined trench coat and matching
jumpsuit. ““I wanted it to resonate with the idea of female empowerment, women that are strong,” he told New York Daily News. “I wanted to do something that was sexy and powerful and aggressive because there’s a lot of technology in the film.”
Source: Jamie McCarthy / Getty
Source: Jemal Countess / Getty
Additionally, Cushnie Et Ochs created a dazzling golden gown, sharing the pre-made sketches with excited onlookers via their Instagram.
Source: Jemal Countess / Getty
Aurora James of Brother Vellies
designed a pair of boots created with curled and straightened sisal
from Haiti, alluding to conversations amongst women of color and the
culture of hair acceptance.
Source: Jamie McCarthy / Getty
Source: ANGELA WEISS / Getty
Source: ANGELA WEISS / Getty
Sophie Theallet’s collection rendered the beauty of traditional dress with beaded patchwork with a feathered high-waist band.
Source: Jemal Countess / Getty
Source: ANGELA WEISS / Getty
For Ikiré Jones,
creative director Walé Oyéjidé focused on marrying and fusing cultures.
“It’s very much about fusion and the marriage of cultures, respectfully
showing that all of us no matter where we’re are inspired by the
culture around us,” Jones told USA Today.
“[The outfit is] rooted in an African aesthetic, but has European
silhouettes, a silk scarf made in Italy, and represents both African and
European culture. And it’s just kind of showing that we are better
together.”
Source: ANGELA WEISS / Getty
Source: Jemal Countess / Getty
The amazing collections are only but a fraction of the power of Black Panther,
though they all make a strong case on the power of fashion. As the
masses came out to see the collections and communally bask in this
momentous occasion during Black History Month, it leads us to wonder
what will happen after Black Panther?
Will the spirit of unity and legacy continue? Will there be a continued
effort of proud nationalism and celebration amongst those of African
heritage? Will media finally begin to reflect the power of Blackness and
not subjugate the beginning of our history merely to the moments of
slavery?
All we know is that Wakanda is lit, and Black Panther has shaken and broken the table.
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