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 their 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
Working Out Regularly Was Hard: Here's Why I Tried BodyBoss
You Got This!
As long as I can remember, I've felt about 10 pounds away from a confident body. Whether it's making sure I bought the high waisted swimsuit to hide my tummy or wearing cardigans to cover my arm flab, I just never felt 100% confident in my own skin. After I had my first child, Libby, I gained another 20lbs and found myself feeling really unattractive and uncomfortable in my new-mom body. It was a really rough time for me emotionally, my daughter became the absolute light of my life and gave me a whole new kind of joy, but I was also exhausted all the time, and the extra weight made me feel really insecure. I knew I needed to finally find something that could help me transform my body, so I could be a confident and healthy example for my daughter growing up.
I started doing some research, but I really didn't think I could find a program that would work for me, especially since I hate going to the gym (comparing myself to all those pink sports bra wearing 20-year-olds? No thanks) and now that I had Libby I didn't have time to anyway. I was chatting with some of the other moms on my new-mom Facebook support group, and they recommended BodyBoss. It's a fitness program you can do entirely at home, without equipment, and without a fancy smart TV. It's a book that explains everything along with videos that guide you through a 12-week program of HIIT strength training exercises--intense sessions that are less than 30 minutes each day, three days a week. I looked online, and a lot of women seemed to like the BodyBoss HIIT—the High-Intensity Interval Training that gives you the #BossEffect, so you keep burning more calories even when your workouts over. They even posted before and after pictures of the amazing results they saw in a matter of weeks.
I was still hesitant; I didn't think I would have the motivation to do workouts on my own, or I would do them wrong. But, the pictures online were real, with real women just like me achieving their goals. Plus, they had a really active online community where hundreds of women help motivate and support each other as they work towards their goals. It was hard to argue with the results staring me in the face, so I decided to be brave for Libby and take the plunge. I ordered the BodyBoss Fitness Guide and poured myself a glass of wine to cheers myself for taking the first step towards transforming my body and becoming a more confident self.
The first day I tried the workout, I was really nervous. And I'm not going to lie; it was hard! I understand how HIIT workouts burn fat so rapidly because they're designed to help you make the most out of your time and really kick your butt. Even though I found the first few sessions challenging (I didn't realize how out of shape I was!), I was impressed that I had an easy time understanding exactly what I was supposed to be doing because the book used pictures to make everything really clear. After the first week, something magical happened: the workouts started getting easier. Each week I found I had more energy, was stronger, and less sore. That amazing feeling of getting a little stronger each week ended up giving me the motivation I was afraid I wouldn't have to complete the whole 12-week program. And in the first weeks when I was worried I wouldn't be good enough, I turned to the online community and they cheered me on and gave me the strength to keep going. I saw comments from these amazing women like Samantha, Mindy, and Tina, who were always sharing little tips and words of encouragement to help newbies like me. I also started joining them every Monday for the free Facebook LIVE sessions where we got tips, recipes, and answers to our questions from Kim Lyons, the top trainer from one of my favorite TV weight-loss shows, The Biggest Loser. She's a busy mom like me, and that helped so much!
After completing the 12 weeks, I lost six inches of stubborn belly fat from my waist and was four jeans sizes smaller. I was more toned and stronger than I ever had been when I used to rely on dieting and cardio, and the superfoods and recipes were so yummy, I got this whole new level of energy and confidence. Even my husband noticed and complimented me, a lot. BodyBoss really made all the difference, because they let me work out on my own time, without going to the gym. Now I don't shy away from mirrors, I don't feel like I need to keep the lights off when I'm around my hubby, and I feel like a strong woman my daughter will be proud to call Mom.
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