If you aren’t familiar with SSENSE, it’s the online epicenter for buying luxury brands and high-end streetwear. Founded by the three Atallah brothers, the goal was to take away the obstacles and headaches that could arise from purchasing high-end fashion and democratize the latest, coolest brands.
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
Here's Why You Should Ditch Single-Use Plastic Straws
Help save the planet and switch to reusuable straws!
Raise your hand if you order an iced coffee almost every day, maybe even twice a day, single-use plastic straw in tow. Those iced coffees, cocktails, soft drinks, smoothies, even those oh-so-good for you green juices are filling the oceans up with enough single-use plastic to form a new continent. A pile of garbage four times the size of California now sits in the middle of the Pacific Ocean.
By 2050 there may be more plastic in the ocean than fish. Single-use plastic straws are largely to blame, as they can't really be recycled. Even the disposable straws that claim to be recyclable are failing to live up to their promise. The truth is that plastic straws are too light weight to make it through mechanical recycling sorters. If they manage to make it to the recycling plant at all. Plastic straws are so light weight they're often blown out of recycling bins and ending up in the trash instead. The next stop is a landfill or the ocean.
500 million single-use plastic straws are used by Americans alone every single day! It's estimated that a truck full of plastic is dumped into the Pacific Ocean every minute. It isn't just the oceans that are in danger either. That to-go drink that took you 10 minutes to gulp down can potentially linger in the environment for over 2,000 years. Most plastic isn't biodegradable. It continues to break down until it's a microscopic size. Alarming amounts of marine life are confusing the microplastic for food. 71% of seabirds and 30% of turtles are found with plastic in their stomachs. Once plastic is ingested the oceans wildlife has a 50% mortality rate.
Pollution caused by single-use plastic Green Peace
In the midst of all this bad news, the good news is that it's easy for you to make a difference. Next time you order your favorite drink, just say no to a plastic straw! While you might think that you alone can't save the planet, you can probably save a few sea turtles. By ditching plastic straws, you can help lower the amount of plastic building up in the oceans. The average American throws away 185 pounds of plastic every year. 50% of it was only used once.
Facing recent public pressure, major companies have also decided to ditch plastic straws. Last month Starbucks announced it would eliminate single-use plastic straws globally by 2020. What will your favorite iced drink be using instead? Strawless lids and alternative-material straws. McDonalds and Evian have even announced plans to make a dent in their plastic consumption by 2025.
If you're ready to replace your single-use plastic straws for a more eco-conscious alternative here's a great option. Keep one in your purse, a few at home, gift them to all your coworkers! Spread the word. Every effort counts.
Reusable Straws:
Metal reusable strawsAoocan
Aoocan Extra Long 10.5" Drinking Metal Straws: $8
According to numerous headlines this is likely to be the year that single-use plastic straws get kicked to the curb. Tom Brady has even jumped in on the eco conscious efforts. Aside from Starbucks and McDonalds, Seaworld, Royal Carribean, and Ikea are all removing plastic straws from their parks. Alaska Airlines is getting rid of both plastic straws and stirrers on their flights. To help spread the word you can join the #stopsucking campaign on Instagram by tagging a picture of yourself using your reusable straw.
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