The brouhaha surrounding cultural appropriation tactics employed by the West is one that has occurred time and time again – irking those of African descent – in not just the music/movie industry, but also the fashion industry. Designer Valentino has been under fire severally for this appropriation (a fashion show with white models in cornrows, followed by a show with white models in Bantu knots, comes to mind), but seemingly unbothered, the designer was unapologetic.
This month marks the beginning of black history month. That said, fashion designer of the eponymous label, David Hart gets nods of approval for swapping appropriation for appreciation in his fall 2016 collection. Apparently his was the first menswear brand to present a collection exclusively on models of color at New York Fashion Week.
Inspired by the period when jazz ruled, his collection is characterized by sunglasses, windowpane trousers and leather jackets, as well as some more formal pieces (think black tie) and more casual looks like polo’s, cardigans… and all black models!
What better way to kick off black history month! Check it out.