Intuit Mailchimp announced its NYFW: The Shows debut through a new capsule collection and pop-up shop featuring five Black In Fashion Council (BIFC) selected designers. HOT 97 had a chance to visit the collection, talk to the designers and the senior brand director of Mailchimp.
In an op-ed published by the Washington Post, Beverly Johnson decried the fashion industry's longstanding use of Black culture whilst not elevating Black creatives. She revealed that throughout her entire career, she fought fiercely for equal pay and inclusion of her black colleagues. Fifty years later, that fight for inclusion is still ongoing. Fortunately there are groups such as the Black in Fashion Council to ensure there is racial progress in the fashion industry.
In partnership with Intuit Mailchimp, the showroom's first sponsor, the Black in Fashion Council hand selected five black designers to showcase at their BIFC Discovery Showroom. For Mailchimp, this partnership acts as an extension of their "Guess Less, Sell More" campaign.
Michael Mitchell, Senior Brand Director of Mailchimp shared the importance of Mailchimp's involvement in this partnership. "Our audience is entrepreneurs & small business owners. We want to expand the definition of what an entrepreneur looks like. We thought this would be a great opportunity to elevate those who are historically excluded". He adds, "We are a very design-led, creative organization at heart so partnering with other designers felt like a synergy for us. We are super excited to give them a platform."
Mailchimp's commitment to elevating creatives extends beyond NYFW. Bloom Season is Mailchimp's evergreen resource that provides guidance for starting, running and growing a business.
The Designers
The limited-edition capsule collection showcased five designers including Izayla, Kwame Adusei, Muehleder, Ndigo Studio, and Sammy B.
Meet I'sha Dunston
LA native I'sha Dunston founded IZAYLA in 2017. She is an alum of FIDM. IZAYLA is centered around women's empowerment and integrity. She credits her school for teaching her cohesiveness and storytelling through fashion. She takes pride in domestic craftsmanship while ensuring ethical compensation for all of her freelance contractors. Recently Kelly Rowland was seen wearing I'sha's signature jumpsuits.
Meet Larissa
Germany born & Brooklyn raised, Larissa is the founder of Muehleder. She is known for her use of neoprene, a material that is soft yet thick enough to hold distinctive silhouettes. Larissa's pieces have been worn by the likes of Issa Rae, Zendaya & Marsai Martin. Larissa wanted to create a brand for women like herself who are their own bosses, motivated and aim to inspire. She has lived in several countries including Austria, Senegal, France and Nigeria which she credits for learning what confidence means to women of every culture.
Meet Waïna Chancy
Haitian born, Waïna is a cofounder of Atelier Ndigo. She had been in the industry for 15 years as a fashion stylist prior to launching her own brand with partner, Viviane Valerius. Waïna originally went to school for nursing but decided to double down in her passion pivoting to fashion merchandising. Born in 2020, Ndigo's inspiration is driven by the beauty of the color “indigo”, and the concept of taking delicate; fascinatingly colorful fabrics and being able to transform them into structured pieces that are inspired by architect and design. "I believe in my pieces because I bring something different to the community".
Meet Samantha
Project Runway alum, Samantha is the founder of the playful yet adventurous clothing brand, Sammy B.. The brand is women’s ready-to-wear clothing line that is feminine with an eclectic edge. Sammy B is strictly for the rule-breakers, risk-takers, and go-getters. With the use of line, attention to detail and with a natural ease, Sammy B has become the "It Girl’s" favorite brand, perfect for the new modern woman. Her creations have been worn by Estelle, Nicki Minaj, Lizzo, Beyoncé.
Meet Kwame
Hailing from Ghana West Africa, Kwame Adusei is the founder of Kwame Adusei. Founded in 2021, Kwame's designs have been worn by the likes of Kylie Jenner, Halle Bailey, and Gabrielle Union. With over 10 years of luxury fashion designing experience, Kwame Adusei is the culmination of West African roots translated to a global audience with a perspective founded in practicality, modernity, sophistication, and maturity.
Shop the limited capsule collection here!
