Dear Shaded Viewers,
The other day I took a virtual trip to visit the showroom of the Guyanese-American designer. Her capsule collection contains textiles in her original prints which take influence from soulful sounds and eclectic interiors. For Women’s History Month she has collaborated with Levi’s in a collection of ‘soulful sounds and textured hair.”
To Be Black and Female, is inspired by the Harlem Renaissance, drawing parallels from the social movement of Black America in the 1920s to today. It takes its mood and direction from the jazz age Cotton Club– a legendary spot in Harlem where supremely talented black artists performed for the approval of all-white audiences— and W.E.B DuBois’s concept of double consciousness. To be black in America is to always deal with that two-ness— “two souls, two thoughts, two unreconciled strivings; two warring ideals in one dark body, whose dogged strength alone keeps it from being torn asunder.” And to be a black woman is to deal with a certain triple-consciousness— a constant monitoring of our existence that informs how we navigate our lives.
“This collection was created to showcase our voice, our bodies and our spirit. It’s not looking for an audience. It’s not asking for permission. It’s spirited, lively and cool— and it’s for our approval only.”
MARRISA WILSON
Born in New Jersey to Guyanese parents, educated in New York and Paris, now based back in New York. Marrisa Wilson’s unique, wide-ranging life experiences serve as her motivation to unite together powerful, multicultural women in order to celebrate self love and inspire a sense of community.
Black in Fashion Council x IMG Showroom
February 14-17th
11-6pm
By appointment only.
amor.diaz@wethecoolstudio.com
