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As part of Miami Art Week, Art Basel Miami took place from Friday, Dec. 6, to Sunday, Dec. 8, 2024, kicking off with a private dinner on Thursday, Dec. 5, at the Fazeel Khan Residence. Tres Generaciones Tequila, a premium tequila brand known for supporting creators and innovators, and CFDA two-time award-winning fashion designer Maxwell Osborne hosted the exclusive event in partnership with ARTNOIR to celebrate trailblazers marking new milestones at Art Basel, according to a press release. The dinner honored contemporary artist Andrea Chung, recognized for her original work inspired by island nations in the Indian Ocean and the Caribbean Sea, which challenges traditional notions of “paradise” through the outsiders’ perspectives. Guests included Fabolous , Leon Thomas, Paul Anthony Smith, Kesha McLeod, Carmelo Anthony, and Rubi Rose, among others, who all arrived by luxury boat cruiser and were greeted with Jamaican patties, a tribute to Osborne’s Jamaican-American heritage. He is a...
Many who grew up in the 80s and 90s are quick to associate the nostalgia of heading back to school with the bright and cheery supplies designed by Lisa Frank. The notoriously private artist is best known for crafting lunchboxes, stickers, toys and trapper keepers covered in dolphins, unicorns, pandas and other adorable critters that decorated classrooms for decades. Before she rose to fame, Frank grew up in Michigan’s Bloomfield Hills (one of America’s wealthiest cities ), the daughter of a higher-up in the automotive industry who supported her creative pursuits. “ My dad was an art collector, my mom had a little kiln in our basement and we would make pottery. I think from about age five on, they sent me to art classes, and I was a huge colorer. HUGE. I think to keep me quiet, they would bring the coloring books and crayons, and I would fill up the books,” Frank told Urban Outfitters in a rare interview. She went on to attend Cranbrook Kingswood School with Mitt Romney, then headed...
Black culture has long been a driving force in shaping fashion, yet that influence is not fully represented in the industry’s creative leadership. According to data from Zippia.com , only 7.3% of American fashion designers are Black. McDonald’s Change of Fashion program is committed to addressing this disparity and helping to elevate Black talent within the fashion industry. By working with five rising fashion designers, matched with five Black industry experts, the Change of Fashion program includes a year-long mentorship filled with access to valuable resources, education, and national exposure to industry experts, including the launch of a capsule collection. As we gear up for the 2024 AFROTECH™ Conference, blending style with purpose is more relevant than ever. Whether you’re into innovative streetwear or eco-conscious resort attire, the McDonald’s Change of Fashion designers are revolutionizing the game and helping people stand out, speak up, and show up as their most authentic...
Steve Madden shoes have been confidently carrying women for decades, with an estimated 120 locations in America, plus 250 more across 65 other countries. The man behind the brand was born in Far Rockaway, Queens, New York in 1958. Interestingly, Madden’s interest in footwear began as a teenager when he started working at a local shoe store. After high school, the creative went off to the University of Miami, but wound but back in Long Island after his sophomore year. At the time, Madden felt called to spent more time selling footwear and learning about the female consumer’s preferences to perfect his own designs. People associate Steve Madden with the company itself more than the visionary behind the products, but the fashion icon actually has a very interesting story. Outside of starting a family with his former director of operations (and eventual wife from 2005 to 2015), Wendy Ballew, the East Coast native managed to secure a $700K salary during his 31 months in prison, even...
North West plans to start her own empire, following in the footsteps of her parents. Her Parents’ Empire Kim Kardashian: North was born into fame as the daughter of Kim Kardashian and Ye, formerly Kanye West, on June 15, 2013, in Los Angeles, CA, though the couple is now divorced. Kardashian shot to stardom following the success of the reality television show, “Keeping Up With The Kardashians,” which aired in 2007 and ran for 20 seasons on E!. By 2016, Kardashian was the highest-paid reality television star, ringing in $51 million annually and boasting millions of followers across Twitter, Facebook, and Instagram at the time, TIME reports. As the show was nearing its end, it was reported by Parade she was earning as much as $4.5 million per season. Kardashian was able to continue her success beyond her time on screen, expanding into business with ventures that included KKW Beauty, which she shut down in 2021 after selling 20% to Coty for $200 million the year prior, according to...
It’s official! Shaquille O’Neal is tied to a billion-dollar deal! As AFROTECH™ previously mentioned, O’Neal is the second-largest shareholder in Authentic Brands Group. This is the result of a 2015 deal that gave the company the rights to manage his name in merchandise and endorsements. O’Neal explained the significance of the deal during a previous AFROTECH™ interview stating, “My Authentic Brands deal, I was able to ensure that hopefully I can stay around after I’m no longer on this earth. And I was walking down the street one day and looking at these Elvis cups and Elvis key chains and Marilyn Monroe, and I said to myself, ‘How are these people still making money for their families?’ They’re not even around. So, I found out how that business works, and I contacted two or three of those agencies and asked them if they were interested in partnering with Authentic Brands, and we’ve been doing major things.” He added, “I’m now the second-largest shareholder in Authentic Brands Group,...
Mooski’s 2021 hit “Track Star” may be filled with double entendre and deeper meanings, but its opening line — “She’s a runner. She’s a track star”— takes on a literal meaning for Sha’Carri Richardson. Richardson is a Dallas, TX, native whose track career has experienced some hills and valleys but never infused extreme doubt for anyone who has followed the star’s journey. Her athletic prowess was confirmed even further when she qualified for the 2024 Paris Olympics. Sha’Carri Richardson’s Journey Richardson’s 2024 qualification is a testament to her resilience following a challenging period in 2021. According to a Forbes profile, a failed drug test led to a one-month suspension, causing her to miss the Tokyo Olympics. Her candid discussion about using cannabis to cope with the stress of Olympic qualifying and the loss of her biological mother earned her widespread respect. Despite the emotional turmoil, Richardson returned triumphantly in 2023, securing gold in the 100 meters at the...
There is so much beauty in making your dreams come true, and this former Target employee’s transition from team member to collaborator for its recent Future Collective collection is proof! Before launching her fashion brand, Jeneé Naylor began her Target career in 2012, quickly rising to the role of store director at stores across the Washington, D.C. area after several years of hard work and commitment. Now, 11 years later, the company has unveiled its latest Future Collective collaboration with Naylor and her brand, which features 70 new pieces designed with individuality in mind, according to Target’s company blog. View this post on Instagram A post shared by Target (@target) “From sketching designs in high school to working in retail, fashion has always been a passion of mine,” Naylor said. “It wasn’t until I was working full-time that I started posting my outfits on social media and gaining traction. Because my Target work schedule was so busy, I would create and batch...
Mary J. Blige’s fans have been asking her for a boot collection for years. Now, the music legend has delivered on her promise. In May 2023, the “Good Morning Gorgeous” singer exclusively shared with AFROTECH™ that her signature boot line was on the way. “It’s in the works,” Blige told AFROTECH™ at the time . “For some reason, this is taking longer than everything else, but we’re gonna get there. Trust me. Everything else is here so that’s on its way.” The time has officially arrived as Blige teamed up with Giuseppe Zanotti in May 2024 for “The Mary Boot.” What’s more, she was a part of the design process. “Giuseppe Zanotti and Mary J. Blige have transformed their longtime friendship into an exclusive, limited-edition collaboration,” Giuseppe Zanotti shared on its Instagram page. “‘The Mary Boot,’ a stunning over-the-knee boot co-designed by the two talents.” View this post on Instagram A post shared by Giuseppe Zanotti (@giuseppezanotti) During the 2024 Strength of a Woman Festival...
You can’t place Anifa Mvuemba’s creativity in a box. Back in 2020, the Hanifa founder and fashion designer shook up the fashion world with a virtual 3D show on Instagram for her collection, Pink Label Congo, inspired by her home country of the Congo. From then on, Mvuemba continued to implement her self-taught tech skills into her work, as previously reported by AFROTECH™. Now, Mvuemba has taken her fashion expertise into new territory — the spirits industry. In February 2024, it was announced that she and Sergio Hudson are partnering with premium bourbon brand Woodford Reserve. During a New York Fashion Week (NYFW) dinner, Mvuemba spoke about previously feeling like she was approached by brands for their own gain and image, per WWD. View this post on Instagram A post shared by Anifa M (@anifam) In an email interview with AFROTECH™, Mvuemba shared , “As a Black designer, navigating the barriers that come with being shortlisted for collaborations merely to fulfill a diversity...
Disruptors, in the evolutionary sense of the word, are people who have abandoned the status quo. They thrive in their differences and are typically unbothered by the societal boundaries designed to box them in. There are countless examples of these people in the world, but one clear example is Tyler, the Creator. Evidenced by his stage name, Tyler Gregory Okonma is a California native and award-winning producer and musical artist. He burst onto the scene co-founding the Hip-Hop collective Odd Future and releasing his debut mixtape 2009, titled “Bastard.” However, it was in 2011 when he released his first studio album, “Goblin,” that he started getting noticed. Reflecting, he acknowledged his musical growth and was honest about his work then. In a conversation on the “Rap Radar Podcast,” Tyler was pretty candid that while his lead single, “Yonkers,” is still one of his favorites, the album itself was not his favorite body of work. “Bro, ‘Goblin’ is f-cking terrible, but I still love...
At only 17-years-old, Marsai Martin has already accomplished so much. As previously reported by AfroTech, she made history after launching her production company Genius Productions — making her the youngest Black executive producer ever. In addition to leading her company, she’s also the head boss over at Mari By Marsai — her nail line. Even with all of the endeavors on her plate, Martin is committed to supporting others as the Gen Z role model is uplifting fellow teens, according to PEOPLE.
Lil Durk is ushering in a new era. And, this time, it’s in the metaverse. According to a press release, the buzzing rapper is releasing digital wearables through his company NXTG3NZ, founded alongside Satoshi Designs and Nexus. Lil Durk already made his first splash debuting his “7220” NXTG3NZ NFT digital sneaker via Instagram on March 2, 2022. View this post on Instagram A post shared by DURKIOOO (@lildurk) The drop will be one of many for the rapper, who is looking to integrate more fashion in the Non-Fungible Token (NFT) space. “I paid attention to the NFT market, and I didn’t see much fashion. I saw art. Being into fashion and being known for my style, I felt like the fashion part of NFTs was missing, and being one of the first to fuse them together would be perfect,” he said, according to Forbes.