050: Uptown Beauty Essentials & James Baldwin

LETTER FROM THE EDITOR 🗞️

Suffice to say, while it can be hard to find moments of respite in these times, we’re committed to holding joy and gratitude at the forefront of our work.

Thank you for coming back another week. As always, any tips or questions, please reach out at [email protected].

DISPATCH 050 —

This week, we’re crooning for Cameroonian couture, eager to see the best of decorative motif at 100% Design Africa, and reflecting on the sartorial inspiration of James Baldwin. But first, our picks of uptown beauty…

HARLEM SUMMER BEAUTY

In the mood to keep things light, bright, and airy? Here are our two uptown favorites for beauty essentials this season — first up, this hydrating lip treatment oil from Ami Cole in this particular rosy-brown shade Excellence is a workhouse that will last from sun-up to sun-down.

With all of this bare-faced beauty, top off the look with World of Chris Collins Lost In Paradise EDP combining fresh coconut water, salted musk, and warm ylang-ylang into a decadent yet revitalizing proposition.

Both are now available in-store at the newest Sephora in Harlem open today.

ON OUR RADAR

Lots of anticipation for Imane Ayissi’s first solo exhibition — “Imane Ayissi: From Africa to the World” — dedicated to the Cameroonian designer’s oeuvre at the SCAD FASH Museum of Fashion + Film, featuring over forty of his signature couture looks. Opens September 18. (Link)

Oakland-based specialty retailer McMullen expands! A second location is headed to San Francisco this fall in the Presidio Heights neighborhood. Expect to see founder Sherri McMullen’s specially hand-selected edit of Diotima, Bernard James, and many more. (Link)

Kkerele is headed back to London for a pop-up shop starting July 20 in Shoreditch. Also featured: This Is Us, IAMISIGO, and spirits from Pedros Africa. (Link)

Good news for Nicholas Daley, whose existing distribution with Saks Fifth Avenue continues to evolve as part of the 2024 New Wave Accelerator. Also: you can catch the designer as part of an upcoming panel “Conversations with Baldwin” on July 21 exploring the power of James Baldwin’s perceptive sense of dress. (Link)

Decorex, Africa’s premium decor and design show, will take place in Johannesburg at the Sandton Convention Centre starting August 1. As one of Africa’s largest curated design platforms, 100% Design Africa will take over the second level with dozens of exhibitors from across the continent and a talk series highlighting leading talents Trevor Sturmann and Laduma Ngxokolo among others. (Link)

British brand Labrum launched its first-ever collaboration kit with Adidas and Arsenal for the 2024/2025 season, incorporating homegrown patterns celebrating African artifact and adornment. (Link)