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Fashion Meets Digital

Anifa produced a virtual catwalk, London fashion week was fully transformed to a digital platform and now black-owned resort brand elise x elisia is showcasing their new collection with 3D models. The New York-based brand is raising the bar in the fashion industry, truly proving how far technology could take us.

During the COVID 19 pandemic, many fashion companies have taken to digital platforms to highlight their new launches. Anifa had a virtual catwalk, London fashion week was completely transformed to a digital platform and now black-owned resort brand elise x elisia are introducing their new collection with 3D models.

The New York-based brand founded by Janel Livingston is centered on high-end beach and resort wear. With the adoption of 3D models and 3D backdrops based on the French Riviera, Livingston launched her Summer 2020 swimwear line. What makes this brand unique is the silhouettes of the bath suits that deviate from the standard style of bathing suits. Giving customers an edgier, more modern look. This brand is excellent for women who aspire to take their swimwear game to the next level with unique cuts and styles.

The Tidal Wave collection features a string bikini and cut off one piece. The name of the collection is a well-fitting the green-blue wave-like design on both pieces of the collection. This approach to premiering her swimsuit collection in the middle of the pandemic has raised the bar in the fashion industry, truly showing how far technology could take us. The collections are available now on the elise x elisia website.

Photo Credits: elisexelisia.com

Report: Lauren Tucker

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12 Luxury Black-Owned Fashion Businesses To Support

Now more than ever we need to protect and support our Black Owned Businesses.

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For all you fashion lovers who would like to get involved with the Black Lives Movement, here is your chance. Now more than ever we need to protect and support our Black Owned Businesses. I have compiled a list of clothing brands that you should definitely take a look at. I have provided their Instagrams and websites for easy access:

Victor glemaud

@Glemaud

Shop lovevera

@shoplovevera

Fenoel

@Fenoel

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DORSHELLE GUILLAUME LLC

@dorshelleguillaume

Pyer Moss

@pyermoss

Hanifa

@hanifaoffical

Martine Rose

@martinerose

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Asata Maise

@asata.maise

Earth Toned Collective

@earthtonedcollective

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Kemi Telford

@kemitelford

Chelsea Bravo

@chelseabravo_

Mateo New York

@mateonewyork

There are countless amounts of Black-Owned Businesses; however, these are my favorite ones so far. They are a combination of colorful, fun and incredibly chic. I love everything about these brands and what they represent. I have a feeling you all will too.

*Photo credits to instagrams @Glemaud, @asata.maise, @kemitelford, @dorshelleguillaume,

Report: Anna Levitus

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Anifa Mvuemba Has Completely Transformed Runway Culture.

Anifa Mvuemba has completely transformed runway culture. With the use of technology and virtual models, Mvuemba brought her "Pink Lable Congo" collection to life! Highlighting the beauty, delicacy, and the history of Congolese clothing, Anifa uses her clothes to celebrate her country’s history despite how painful. With the intent to rewrite the future.

During a time when we can’t physically gather, Baltimore native Anifa Mvuemba, the founder of clothing brand Hanifa has transformed runway culture. The Congolese designer has given us a glimpse of what fashion shows could possibly be following the pandemic. Using technology and innovation Mvuemba was able to share her story and showcase her collection to the public from home.

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Hanifa’s mission is to highlight the beauty, delicacy, and the history of Congolese clothing. Using her clothes to celebrate her homeland’s history regardless of how painful, with the goal to rewrite its future. Mvuemba said in an interview that she felt that releasing the collection during the pandemic would appear insensitive but she has definitely taken the internet by storm. Utilizing social media, specifically Instagram live, Anifa revealed her “Pink Lable Congo” line using virtual models. In an interview with TeenVogue, Anifa said that she had been thinking of taking her fashion shows to the internet and have been working on this project for seven months.

During the launch of the collection, Anifa explains that each look in this collection meant to represent the Democratic Republic of Congo. She also wanted to use this launch to raise awareness of the illegal mining of cobalt on the land. According to CNN, it is estimated that nearly 40,000 children are working on mines making $1 to $2 a day. To bring attention to this Anifa open the fashion show with a short documentary of stories of these mine workers. This documentary highlighted the harsh conditions underage children and women face for long hours.

To learn more about this cause here's a link to the IGTV runway show.

https://www.instagram.com/tv/CAhDULhAFvG/?utm_source=ig_web_copy_link

Report: Lauren Tucker

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Hanifa Used 3D Models to Launch Its Latest Collection on Instagram Live

The coronavirus pandemic is changing so many industries worldwide. One such change that is already taking place is the move to make fashion shows more accessible by using 3D digital models to launch new collections online.

The coronavirus pandemic is changing so many industries worldwide. One such change that is already taking place is the move to make fashion shows more accessible by using 3D digital models to launch new collections online.

In an interview with Teen Vogue, Hanifa's designer, Anifa Mvuemba, revealed that she already planned to launch her new collection, Pink Label Congo, online, but wondered if it was still the right move when the coronavirus pandemic changed everything. Mvuemba explained, "The news came out about how serious things were and I started to feel a bit anxious about everything going on. I started feeling like maybe it would be insensitive to create and share a new collection online while people were facing very difficult realities."

With her designs, Mvuemba wants to celebrate the beauty of Congo, while drawing attention to the issues faced by people in the locale such as illegal mining. Using 3D models is a natural next step for Mvuemba, who told Teen Vogue, "designing content using 3D models and now an entire collection has been a complete game changer for me." Making the launch entirely digital has only been positive for the brand, as the designer revealed, "My decision to keep going could impact our customers for the better in ways I never imagined. That’s when I knew it was time."

Instagram is also the great leveler when it comes to fashion, as Mvuemba explained, "We know that some people may never experience a fashion week or Hanifa showcase, so we wanted to show up for our audience where they show up for us on a daily basis. That’s when Instagram became the obvious choice."

Report: Amanda T Lou

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