Fashion in the African Diaspora - Stories

The style of busy entrepreneur and entertainer Bonang Matheba moves steadily between work and play with an ease, often underpinned by her consistent adoration for gold accessories.

FashionPROTOChic TeamNovember 11, 2019Bonang Matheba, Travel, Style, South Africa, Sai Sankoh

What We're Watching: New York Fashion Week Edition

Prepare for immediate visual fascination and delayed commercial gratification with Spring / Summer 2020 collections from the very best diaspora creatives during New York Fashion Week.

FashionPROTOChic TeamSeptember 4, 2019New York Fashion Week, Essence Fashion House, Tongoro, Telfar, Victor Glemaud, Studio 189

Quick Take 02: Investing in African Travel

New York-based travel startup Tastemakers Africa recently announced that they closed a $1M seed round. For five years, founder Cherae Robinson has been expanding the narrative on travel within Africa with her experience-booking app.

Quick Take 01: South African Designers

"Quick Take" is a new series dedicated to short-form insights on the business of fashion and the expanding industry across the diaspora. From Johannesburg to New York, catch our take on the creatives capturing our collective imagination. First up, South African designers Palesa Mokubung and Thebe Magugu.

BusinessPROTOChic TeamAugust 17, 2019South Africa, Palesa Mokubung, Mantsho, H&M, Thebe Magugu, LVMH Prize, Fashion, Johannesburg

Diversity and Representation on the Red Carpet

In a (very) recent period lauding black talents throughout the entertainment industry, a shining light has turned to the image-makers responsible for dressing these celebrities. PROTOChic sat in on a dynamic conversation with a rather influential group on the road to greater inclusion and representation on the red carpet.

BusinessPROTOChic TeamMay 12, 2019Diversity, Representation, Law Roach, Ade Samuel, Joan Reidy, Editor's Picks

Questions with Multidisciplinary Artist & Jewelry Designer Avery Williamson

This year saw artist Avery Williamson parlay her creative eye into the launch of a hand-crafted jewelry line taking the imperfectly perfect geometric shapes that dance across her canvases to the earlobe for the most chic accessory this summer.

CulturePROTOChic TeamApril 21, 2019Questions With, Avery Williamson, Art, Jewelry, Statement Jewelry

Cosmopolitan Chic Afrique at Duro Olowu's Autumn / Winter 2019

Duro Olowu took to London Fashion Week with an intimate guided tour for trade and press through his world of carefully considered prints and patterns. First stop on the tour was South Africa, the birth place and center point for this season’s muse Miriam Makeba.

FashionPROTOChic TeamFebruary 22, 2019Duro Olowu, Miriam Makeba, London Fashion Week, London, Fall 2019, South Africa

Wales Bonner’s Mumbo Jumbo for Autumn / Winter 2019

Designer Grace Wales Bonner kicked off her year with a new job title to an already lengthy resume; that of, exhibition curator. A few days ago, she shared the presentation of her latest collection at the same Serpentine Sackler Gallery as part of London Fashion Week.

Reigning Champ of Swim Andrea Iyamah Channels Childhood Memories

Andrea Iyamah’s Autumn 2018 campaign puts its iconic swimwear silhouettes front and center of sentimental backdrops inspired by its creative director’s “fondest memories as a Nigerian child.”

A Marriage of Art and Fashion in Pyer Moss

Congratulations are in order for designer Kerby Jean-Raymond of American label Pyer Moss. He claimed the top prize (and $400,000) at the CFDA - Vogue Fashion Fund’s annual awards in New York.

CulturePROTOChic TeamNovember 12, 2018Art, Pyer Moss, Derrick Adams, CFDA, Kerby Jean-Raymond, Fashion

Surviving and Thriving in Fashion: Meet Tongoro Studio

If there is one word to describe Tongoro Studio founder and creative director Sarah Diouf, it is relentless. Launching two years ago, Diouf saw a need in the market for accessibly priced and stylish casual wear that was as versatile as the lifestyle she leads.

Fashion History Minor: American Royalty Stephen Burrows

Meet American fashion designer Stephen Burrows, who was the first African-American to achieve international acclaim in the 1970s.

FashionPROTOChic TeamNovember 1, 2018Fashion History Minor, Fashion, Step, Robin Givhan, 1970, Bethann Hardison, Pat Cleveland

The Age of the Black Model

We are beyond pleased to announce the opening of a new exhibition The Inverse Color Perspective: The Age of the Black Model by artist Freddie L. Rankin II that captures 42 black models from throughout the diaspora behind the scenes of fashion weeks in New York, Milan, and Paris.

Cushnie's Spring / Summer 2019 Soars Solo

It is safe to say there was some pressure for CEO and Creative Director Carly Cushnie, who took control of her 10-year old brand, now known as CUSHNIE, after separating ways with her co-founder Michelle Ochs eight months ago.

Celebrate Nigerian Pride with 5 Best Loved Designers from the African Diaspora

All over the world Nigerians wave their flag in honor of Nigeria’s 58th year of independence. Cheers to another year full of revolutionary style from creative talents from throughout the diaspora.

FashionPROTOChic TeamOctober 1, 2018Nigeria, Kenneth Ize, XII Glover, Lisa Folawiyo, L'Enchanteur, I.AM.ISIGO, Bubu Ogisi

5 Gold Statement Jewelry Brands to Transform Your Fall Wardrobe

In want of hand sculpted jewelry inspired by the Fulani women of Northern Africa or the Akan tribe from Ivory Coast and Ghana? We’ve compiled our picks of the best gold statement jewelry brands inspired by African heritage.

Social Cues: Casual Cool Dominated London Fashion Week

With another London Fashion Week in the books, we had to round up our favorite looks from the week from Mayfair to Covent Garden.

Bonang Matheba’s New York Fashion Week Wardrobe is a Treat in Color Coordination

New York Fashion Week has come and gone, but all the looks worn by South African entertainer Bonang Matheba are still on the brain.

FashionPROTOChic TeamSeptember 19, 2018New York Fashion Week, Bonang Matheba, Coréon Dú, David Tlale, Style, LaQuan Smith, Telfar, H Diddy