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- 019: Winter Dressing & Winter Reading
019: Winter Dressing & Winter Reading
The best in fashion and culture from the diaspora and beyond
LETTER FROM THE EDITOR 🗞️
Welcome back to another week of beauty and culture from the diaspora and beyond. If you’re just joining, hi, hello, and thank you.
Take a look at our growing archives and consider signing up for our Founding Supporter tier, where we share even more content.
Winding down to the end of the year often comes with loads of feelings — we hope you find some space to reflect and set intentions for the season ahead.
DISPATCH 019 —
This week, we’re building a reading list with Saint Heron, stopping in Johannesburg for a holiday market, and trying to be first in line for a menswear launch born and bred in New York. Plus: holiday party fare, a Grace Wales Bonner book to add-to-cart, and a special surprise gift for Founding Supporters. But first, a sequel to our start on fall fashion…
AUTUMNAL DRESSING: A THESIS PART II
By request, we’re bringing you another installment of the Autumn/Winter 2023 trend report we started back in September, which truly feels like eons ago. In light of upcoming Black Friday / Cyber Monday sales, there’s a pretty good chance you find a few of our picks at a steal. Take a look!
ALL ABOUT SATIN
We cannot stop seeing hints of satin across collections from London and New York. While a head-to-toe look can feel extreme, incorporating a silky fabrication can add an extra dose of dimension to an otherwise plain look. Feben offers shades of golden mustard in this oversized scarf with tufting and crystal hardware; also comes in black. We are charmed by the closing look at LaQuan Smith worn by Jourdan Dunn. The ivory double-breasted blazer with trending corset mini skirt is the right combo of business and leisure. Bianca Saunders reimagines the classic white tee shirt in this iridescent tone that pairs well with leather pants and accessories. Lastly, taking inspiration from parachutes, this petrol colored cargo midi skirt by Botter also comes in a trouser and bomber jacket variety.
Feben Bianca Saunders | LaQuan Smith Botter |
SPORTING INFLUENCE
Despite claims that streetwear is over, there continues to be this shift into the informal with sportswear motifs appearing on runways in Milan and London. Collegiate style details, like contrasting sleeves, worn patches, iconographic insignia, bucket hats and baseball caps abound. Off-White, led by Ib Kamara, presents a twist on the varsity jacket in a mini dress with hammered metallic eyelet detailing. Mowalola perfects the vibe with her take on the New York Yankees logo and multi-layered styling with oxford button down, crew neck sweater, and sweatpants. Even Ferragamo by Maximilian Davis throws a hat in the ring with a sleek black-on-black track suit that looks a cut above the mainstream. Lastly, Labrum debuts a signature piece that mixes transatlantic journeys through a contemporary lens.
Off-White Ferragamo | Mowalola Labrum |
HOLIDAY SEASON GREETINGS
Tis the season for gathering our top picks for holiday party dressing of all varieties. Harbison kicks off the bunch with this marvelous metallic encrusted mini dress perfect for ringing in the new year. Next, a pair of on-trend stunning sculptural Donyale Luna half hoops from Knature by Aneshka in polished 18k gold. There’s something extra chic about wearing sunglasses at night (call it the celebrity effect), so we had to throw in a cat eye pair by Kimeze with these crystal edge embellishments. Last, but not least, a halter-neck low-back classic black midi dress by Kwame Adusei has the perfect touch of sequin all-over fringe to make a special statement.
Kwame Adusei |
ON OUR RADAR
True to form in bringing you the best of rather quickly, cheers to our favorite loafer brand Blackstock & Weber on the launch of their new ready-to-wear line Academy New York. Collection 001 drops today. (Link)
In Johannesburg, MOEA Design will present Christmas Noir from November 24 to 26. If you’re into a Christmas market, you will find some incredible brands (Kkerele, Eluwa Studio) from across the continent as well as curated experiences from coffee-cupping and wine tastings. Tickets will go fast! (Link)
Grace Wales Bonner has published a book with the Museum of Modern Art in New York. Entitled Dream in the Rhythm — Visions of Sounds and Spirit in the MoMA Collection, consider this a supreme holiday gift for the art-lover in your life. (Link)
In other book news, Ebony Haynes (behind downtown gallery 52 Walker) has curated season two of the Saint Heron Library featuring poetry, short stories, and other works by a broad range of creatives like Barbara Chase-Riboud and Kandis Williams. (Link)
If you join as a Founding Supporter before year-end, we will send a special gift for you in the mail. Existing Founding Supporters, don’t worry, we’ll be getting special gifts out to you shortly. (Link)
Grace Wales Bonner x MoMA: Dream in the Rhythm / Courtesy Wales Bonner
STAY IN TOUCH
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Until next time — may the dreams of your vision become reality.