Essence Fashion Review: Second Black Carpet Awards, Kate Spade and Eloquii Launch Plus-Size Capsule – Essence

Afro Fashion Association

This fashion week was full of moments that we want to highlight. First, fashion brand Kate Spade and plus size brand Eloquii launched a plus size collection. Meanwhile, the Neverfull project by the French fashion house Louis Vuitton has gained a new look – it is perfect. Then, the prestigious Black Carpet Awards announced its deserving winners.

Jewelry brand Lola Ade, known for responsibly sourced diamonds, has launched a new engagement collection. New York-based Brigade unveiled its latest collection following a recent pop-up.

Finally, the Fashion Pact initiative focused on decarbonizing the fashion industry.

To find out more, keep scrolling and discover the fashion events of the week.

Kate Spade and Eloquii introduce the Plus-Size collection

A new collaboration that’s exciting in the age of fashion is Kate Spade teaming up with Eloquii to launch a plus-size ready-to-wear collection for the first time. This new 12-piece collection includes polka dot skirts, cocktail dresses and bow dresses, all in sizes 14 to 32. This collaboration will continue throughout February with Valentine’s Day styles.

“Designing the collaboration for Eloquii and Kate Spade New York was the perfect marriage of two distinct but complementary worlds – combining Eloquii’s impeccable fit with Kate Spade New York’s signature prints and playful sense of style. This partnership allowed us to create something truly unique, where timeless elegance meets modern, fun fashion,” said Yesenia Leigh, vice president of design and creative director at Eloquii.

Shop the limited edition Eloquii and Kate Spade collections exclusively at eloquii.com.

Lola Ade presents a collection of engagement rings

Lola Ade, founded by designer Pamela Adewoyin James, has launched a new line, a 14-piece engagement ring collection. This collection is steeped in her Nigerian roots, as storytelling is at the forefront of her design ethos. The word “heart” appears in every piece, such as the Libi Ring, whose name comes from the Amharic word for “heart” used in Ethiopia. Each ring is made of conflict-free and responsibly sourced natural and laboratory diamonds. The founder used her legal background to vet diamond suppliers to ensure the solidity of her brand’s ethos, as human rights, a safe working environment and fair wages are of the utmost importance to James. Proceeds from the sale of each ring will be donated to BrINGing Good, a social initiative that aims to provide clean water and essential resources to affected regions of Africa.

Shop Lola Ade’s new engagement ring collection at lolaade.com. Prices start at $995.

Lola Ade

New York Label Brigade releases its latest collection

After a two-day pop-up store in Manhattan, New York streetwear brand Brigade presented its latest collection. Inspired by New York, the brand’s latest products celebrate founder Aaron Maldonado’s Puerto Rican and Dominican heritage. The collection includes a bold motocross tee, graphic leather jackets, double knee quilted carpentry pants, graphic knit hoodies and more.

The new Brigade collection is available online and in-store at the following retailers: Aigo (Boston), Bend (Tokyo), BOONTHESHOP (Seoul), Concepts (NYC), Extra Butter (NYC), Goldeneye (Des Moines) and Shoe Gallery (Miami ). Prices start at $88.

Aaron Maldonado

Neverfull Louis Vuitton gets a refreshed look

Louis Vuitton has released an updated version of its beloved Neverfull bag. The square-shaped bag has been popular for almost two decades, and now it has been renamed the Neverfull Inside Out. The new bag design gives you two bags in one because you can turn it either way for any finish you want to display. There is a classic LV monogram on the outside and a striped pattern on the inside. A luxurious bag available in sizes MM and BB with an adjustable strap and an interior zippered pocket and hooks to turn the square shape into a hobo shape.

Shop the new Louis Vuitton Neverfall Inside Out shoes at louisvuitton.com.

Black Carpet Awards ceremony during Milan Fashion Week

The second Black Carpet Awards ceremony kicked off during Milan Fashion Week at Teatro Manzoni, an iconic and historic venue in Milan. The event promotes and honors leaders changing the narrative in fashion through diversity and inclusion, featuring five award categories and a total of ten winners selected by the jury and audience. The awards ceremony, hosted by Tamu McPherson, included a new addition, the one-time Virgil Abloh Award, a special recognition dedicated to young creators of color in the industry.

“I am filled with pride and emotion,” said Black Carpet Awards founder Michelle Francine Ngonmo. “This event is much more than just an awards ceremony; it is a powerful platform to celebrate and uplift those who are often invisible in our society. It is a reminder of the importance of visibility, recognition and the profound impact that diversity, equality and inclusion have on the creative industries.”

The winner of the Leader of Change Creativity People’s Choice Award was Cinzia Adanna Ebonone, and the winner selected by the jury was Danielle Madame. In the Leader of Change Community category, the People’s Choice winner was DEI Futuro Antirazzista, and the jury chose Johann Affricot.

Afroricci was chosen for the Entrepreneurial Change Leadership and the jury chose Ada Ugo Abara. In the Leader of Change Legacy category, the People’s Choice Award went to Miyuki Yajima and the jury was Justin Randolph Thompson. The Virgil Abloh Award went to Romy Calzado, while New Wave winners included Sabrine ZD, Phan Dang Hoang, Lina Giselle, Imad Shkairi, Bernadette Gouba and Kaze.

Afro Fashion Association

The Fashion Pact aims to decarbonize the fashion industry

Founded in 2019 by CEO Eva von Alvensleben, The Fashion Pact is a not-for-profit organization dedicated to cross-industry action towards net zero emissions. The non-profit organization is launching the Unlock program to help decarbonize the fashion industry, as sourcing raw materials can be harmful to the environment due to insufficient low-impact raw materials. The Unlock program is an initiative in partnership with sustainability consultancy 2050 and the climate innovation NGO Future Earth Lab. Vogue business.

This program will provide financial incentives to farmers as brands invest in regenerative agriculture to widely adopt more environmentally friendly cotton extraction practices. Works with Better Cotton, the Climate Beneficial Verification Program and the Staple Cotton Cooperative Association.