052: Celebrating One Year

LETTER FROM THE EDITOR 💫

It’s official! We’re celebrating our one-year anniversary. It has been a year to say the least — from diving deep into newer areas like industrial design and culinary arts to gaining global recognition for our coverage on fashion and beauty. None of these milestones could have been achieved without the tireless support of our readership.

An extraordinarily extra-special thank you to our Lifetime and Founding Supporters for championing the next generation of creative talent from the African diaspora and beyond.

The work is just beginning and PROTOChic will continue to evolve, including issuing our dispatch on a bi-weekly basis. As always, please reach us at [email protected] with your thoughts. In gratitude.

DISPATCH 052 —

This week, we’re noting a surge in community gatherings for leading beauty brands and saving the date for Edges of Ailey. Plus: pastel-colored shot glasses and The Manor Africa expands. But first, rounding up your favorite stories from the year that was…

CELEBRATING ONE YEAR

Per your request, we’ve culled together the most popular stories from our first year. Thank you again for your support. If you haven’t yet shared with a friend, feel free to forward along — one referral goes a long way!

FASHION

• 014: Bridal Business & A Legend at Frieze (Link)

• 028: Tales from Mexico City & NYFW Predictions (Link)

• 038: Basotho Heritage & High-Fashion Streetwear (Link)

BEAUTY

• 003: Cult Beauty & Women Artists (Link)

• 034: State of Inclusive Beauty & African Diaspora Goods (Link)

• 017: Conscientious Wellness & Making The Case for Made Of Africa (Link)

CULTURE

• 006: Jamaican Independence & Simone Leigh (Link)

• 012: Invisible Beauty & Back To School (Link)

• 041: Diaspora Dreams & Nature As Inspiration (Link)

ON OUR RADAR

From print magazine to concept store, Trevor Stuurman’s The Manor Africa has taken over a space on 44 Stanley Avenue in Johannesburg and linked up with Lukhanyo Mdingi on a stunning selection of beloved pieces, including the Milky Way Necklace featured in our seasonal Gift Guide. (Link)

Edges of Ailey represents a first of its kind large-scale institutional show at the Whitney Museum of American Art in New York celebrating the life and legacy of visionary choreographer Alvin Ailey. Curated by Adrienne Edwards, the show will not only showcase visual art and historical ephemera in an 18,000 square foot gallery, but also put forward live performances featuring the Ailey dance company. Opening September 25. (Link)

Estelle Colored Glass debuts shot glasses! Now your pastel-colored stemware can match its shorter and more lively cousins. Take a look. (Link)

Shout-out to Ami Cole and Hanahana Beauty for hosting a community walk in New York today. We love to see brands building out beyond retail into experiences you can’t put a price on. The timing aligned nicely with yesterday’s outdoor evening takeover by Eadem downtown that gave the girls a chance to party and trial Le Chouchou. Building IRL experiences with powerhouse beauty founders 🤝🏾 a winning strategy. (Link)

Happy 100th birthday to James Baldwin whose literary power and sartorial musings were an inspiration to us all. (Link)