More than any other platform right now, SSENSE does curation right. They’re painfully aware of which pieces from new collections are a fit for their audience. They show you what’s relevant and hot right now — prioritizing pieces you’ll genuinely like rather than what’s just being pushed by the brand. Now, SSENSE carries brands of all price points from Adidas to Versace.
Another highlight: SSENSE is known for its brand diversity. They often highlight Black-owned brands and showcase collections from people of color and lesser-known designers. To close out Black History Month 2024, SSENSE is teaming up with none other than ESSENCE: a pairing that makes perfect sense.
ESSENCE, the lifestyle publication geared towards Black women, is helping feature three designers and artists: Bianca Saunders, Mowalola, and Stanley Raffington. The series will showcase their designs and tell their story.
According to SSENSE’s site,
“The two brands are turning ESSENCE’s “In The Studio” print franchise into a video series hosted by Lynette Nylander. The series will spotlight the achievements and creativity of Black designers who have significantly impacted the menswear realm. With three episodes, each featuring a distinguished designer, the series offers exclusive insights into their creative processes and journey,”
Meet The SSENSE X ESSENCE Feature Designers
Bianca Saunders
Bianca Saunders
British GQ
Bianca Saunders’ clothing embraces masculinity in womenswear. Her jackets will always be a bit oversized, or the style will mimic a classic streetwear bomber that could have been borrowed from boys like Jeremy Allen-White and Jacob Elordi — a girl can dream.
“The essence of Saunders' clothing lives in the details, which point to how she subverts ideals often associated with menswear.”
Finding the intersectionality between workwear and streetwear, Saunders clothing is genderless and trendy. Some of her signatures include layered shirts, tucked waists, and somewhat minimalist designs.
@babyboyflame Buying Black: @Bianca Saunders #streetwear #menswear #blackownedbusiness #fashion #fashiontok #fashiontiktok ♬ Oldschool - Cookin Soul
Mowalola
Mowalola
Joyce NG
Mowalola, a highly sought after designer whose pieces have been worn by the likes of Rihanna and Naomi Campbell, is a bit of an icon in the fashion world. Her mantra for fashion is “do what you want to do” and that’s exactly the kind of energy Mowalola’s clothes give off.
Much like Bianca Saunders, Mowalola is known for her gender bending designs. Inspired by cinema, many of her collections revolve around movies. And this is on full display at her cinematic runway shows.
She brings an edge to her designs through textures like leather and intentionally placed cutouts. She’s not afraid to make public commentary on race and gender, making her runway shows incredibly popular.
“The British designer has shifted the cultural zeitgeist with her boundary-pushing collections inspired by the world around her.”
@i_d Replying to @JAC So are we! #ferragamo #maximiliandavis #tiktokfashion #mfw #mowalola ♬ original sound - i-D
Stanley Raffington
Stanley Raffington
ESSENCE
In a world where the Chanel black-and-white aesthetic hails ever-popular, especially amongst those emulating Old Money Style and Sofia Richie’s closet, it’s hard to find designers who aren’t afraid of a bit of color…enter Stanley Raffington.
Often incorporating Rastafarian colors of red, yellow, and black as an ode to his Jamaican roots, Raffington isn’t going to shy away from any hue. He quickly rose into fashion prominency when Madonna and FKA Twigs attended his show, which included 3D printed accessories.
Constantly inspired by his Jamaican roots and the nostalgia of past trends, you will see lots of Y2K nods in Stanley Raffington’s clothing. He’s embraced tech in the fashion world by utilizing 3D printing in many of his designs and runway shows, and he’s not slowing down now.
@yungstanz Process behind my 3d printed curve bag. Taking inspiration from the architecture of Zaha Hadid, mixing new technology with natural materials and craft. Available now exclusively at @SSENSE ♬ Never Lose Me - Flo Milli
Parts of South Sudan are experiencing extreme hunger. Read about one organization’s mission to change that.
Food is one of life’s necessities, but when there’s enough of it to go around, it can seem more like a commodity. That’s because many of us have never experienced what it’s like to go hungry. Earlier this year, the United Nations and the South Sudan government declared famine in two counties in South Sudan, as the country was gripped by an unprecedented and rapidly-growing food crisis. After a swift humanitarian response, a recent report declared South Sudan free of famine — but that doesn’t mean the hunger crisis is over. 2 million still remain threatened by starvation, a number that could soon rise to 6 million. As a result of a years-long civil war, skyrocketing inflation rates, massive debt, and rising food prices, the country has spiraled into a critical state of emergency. And the citizens can’t reverse it alone.
In one of the country’s hardest hit areas, Northern Bahr el Ghazal, 59% of the population is experiencing dire food shortages. That has led to and continues to prompt related problems that threaten the prosperity of this vulnerable country. Food shortages have resulted in rampant malnutrition, and those most at risk include an estimated quarter of a million children who will face severe acute malnutrition, the most dangerous and life-threatening form of hunger. With violence and displacement forcing some the country’s few health facilities to close, those in need of medical attention are forced to find the remaining clinics, which are not properly equipped with basic medicine and staff.
Without immediate help and response, the country of South Sudan will plunge further into disaster and families will continue to suffer and die from hunger. That’s why organizations like Concern Worldwide are calling for action. Concern Worldwide is a Guidestar Gold-rated international aid agency that currently has 300 responders in South Sudan reaching 700,000 people in desperate need.
Even before famine was declared, 4.9 million were already in urgent need of food, and Concern Worldwide was working to reach them. The road to recovery is not one that immediate humanitarian efforts alone can build, but one that requires maintaining and supporting a long-term commitment to aid. But change can start with you. South Sudan is still in desperate need, and Concern Worldwide is making it easy to send a small donation that can make a world of difference. 92c of every dollar donated gets put to work in the field, making Concern the one of the most efficient and trustworthy NGOs of its size. Just $30 provides emergency food to save the life of a malnourished child. You have the power to help give the men, women, and children of South Sudan a second chance at a happy, hunger-free life.
We need your help! Follow this link to Concern Worldwide to lend a helping hand to the urgent food crisis.
