This NYFW was different from others in the past. When Intuit Mailchimp announced its NYFW: The Shows debut, it featured a new capsule collection and pop-up shop featuring five Black In Fashion Council (BIFC) selected designers. NYFW: The Shows Capsule Collection, presented by Mailchimp is an extension of Mailchimp’s recently debuted ‘Guess Less, Sell More’ brand campaign and will be on display during NYFW: The Shows 2022 and available at mailchimp.com/nyfw.
Mailchimp is also the first sponsor of the BIFC Discovery Showrooms at Spring Studios, the central hub of NYFW: The Shows. This season, designers Ajovang, Atelier Ndigo, HARBISON, IZAYLA, Jessica Rich, Kwame Adusei, Madame Adassa, Muehleder, Sammy B and VAVVOUNE will showcase their newest collections in the BIFC Discovery Showrooms.
The limited-edition capsule collection showcases five designers from the BIFC Discovery Showroom: Izayla, Kwame Adusei, Muehleder, Ndigo Studio, and Sammy B. These designers are breaking through, making moves, and changing the world with confidence. Guests of New York Fashion Week: The Shows can view the capsule collection in the Mailchimp activation space located in the main lobby of Spring Studios and at mailchimp.com/nyfw. The Mailchimp activation space was designed and produced by Wink, Mailchimp’s in-house creative agency, in partnership with IMG.
“The Black in Fashion Council is excited to continue to help elevate emerging designers to get the visibility and access that they need and deserve, and we’re always looking for new opportunities to further their excellence,” said Lindsay Peoples Wagner and Sandrine Charles, Co-Founders of Black in Fashion Council. “Making the fashion industry more inclusive is an all-hands-on-deck undertaking and partnering with brands like Mailchimp to continue to amplify inclusivity efforts is just one step closer to a more equitable environment for all.”
How the capsule collection was curated
The capsule collection designers were selected by Mailchimp in collaboration with BIFC based on their fun and creative designs, versatility, and parallels to Mailchimp’s core identity rooted in passion, experimentation, and creating work with soul. The collection is a new and creative way to bring growing designers to the forefront of an industry traditionally lacking in diversity and inclusivity.
“New York Fashion Week: The Shows is an incomparable opportunity for emerging designers, who are also entrepreneurs in their own right,” said Mailchimp’s Chief Marketing Officer, Michelle Taite. “The sponsorship of the BIFC Discovery Showrooms, as well as the capsule collection, will amplify amazing designers and showcase their work to a broader consumer market.”
“We are excited to team up with Black in Fashion Council to support designer entrepreneurs in the fashion industry this New York Fashion Week season,” said Michael Mitchell, Mailchimp Sr. Director of Brand and Content Marketing. “Mailchimp’s mission is to help entrepreneurs take the guesswork out of growing a business and give them the support needed to flourish in their respective industries. Through our sponsorship of the BIFC Discovery Showrooms and capsule collection with five amazing designers during NYFW: The Shows, we are able to do just that.”
Now, you may be wondering more about the designers specifically at this year’s activation.
About the Capsule Collection Designers:
Ndigo Studio
Ndigo (also known as) “Atelier Ndigo” is a fashion brand founded by Stylist/Costume designer Waina Chancy: A powerful woman of culture who forged Ndigo Studio by crafting a line of clothing with an edgy style that emphasized the beauty of art and fashion. Atelier Ndigo’s inspiration is driven by the beauty of the color “indigo,” and the concept of taking delicate, fascinatingly colorful fabrics and being able to transform them into structured pieces that are inspired by architect and design.
Izayla
I’sha Dunston is the youngest of four, born and raised in Fremont, California. She graduated from Fashion Institute of Design Merchandising (F.I.D.M) in Los Angeles with a bachelor’s degree in Apparel Industry Management and Business Management. I’sha founded Izayla in 2017, an advanced contemporary womenswear brand in Los Angeles, California. The brand’s mission is tailored to three significant areas: representation, women’s empowerment and integrity.
Sammy B
Jamaican–American fashion designer Samantha Black graduated from Pratt Institute in Brooklyn, NY. As a designer, she takes bits and pieces of inspiration from everywhere and everything, from her culture to New York City and more. She then combines that with her own personal style, personality and flavor, thereby producing her women’s Ready to Wear line Sammy B. Sammy B is an “it girls’” favorite, worn by Beyoncé, Gabrielle Union, Lizzo, Yara Shahidi, Nicki Minaj, Demi Lovato, Andra Day and more. Sammy B is for the rule breakers, the risk takers, and the go-getters.
Muehleder
As a Nigerian/Austrian immigrant with a thick accent that was hard to place, designer Larissa Muehleder found her sense of style to be the uniting bond in building friendships as she grew up in Brooklyn, New York. Larissa designs for women who find comfort in standing out and letting their wardrobe be the conversation starter. Having lived in 5 countries before the age of 5, Larissa sees the world as one and uses her designs to show that we are not that different. We all want to be seen, heard, understood, and cherished. You are the main character in your life, and Muehleder is here to dress you.
Kwame Adusei
Kwame Adusei is the culmination of Ghanaian designer Nana Kwame Adusei’s West African roots translated to a global audience, with a perspective founded in androgyny, sophistication, and sexuality. After dedicating over a decade of his life to designing, Adusei founded the African heritage brand in 2021, focusing on exploring and creating concepts stemming from the common points between juxtaposed cultures. His pieces are reshaping the lens through which the west views African design by shedding light on how it truly inspires designers to explore elegance, innovation, and heritage.
TheBlondeMisfit had a chance to talk with Michael Mitchell, Mailchimp Senior Director of Brand, to find out more about the cultural significance of this partnership with Mailchimp and BIFC during none other than NYFW.
As you know, there’s been a heightened emphasis on supporting Black communities and Black brands since summer ’20. Why is this year so monumental with Mailchimp’s partnership with the Black in Fashion Council at NYFW?
Like everyone else, we saw the summer of ’20 as an inflection point and wanted to make sure our response had depth, authenticity and added value to the conversation. One output of that was the launch of Bloom Season — a digital resource for entrepreneurs of color, that seeks to rewrite the blueprint for small business success. Our partnership with the Black in Fashion Council is an extension of that spirit. It’s in our DNA to meaningfully connect with every community that uses our platform, and we couldn’t be more excited to help raise the profile of five amazing designers who should have pieces in everyone’s closets.
Not only are you all working with Black designers, but many of the names in this year’s showroom may be lesser known to the general public. How did you partner with these specific emerging designers and can you share why it’s important to explore emerging markets in fashion?
Our values align with the BIFC and we trusted them to choose the hottest artists in the game. It’s important to provide space for emerging talent to ensure there’s always an inclusive pipeline for the future.
Lastly, what other initiatives is Mailchimp working on to continue furthering financial and social support for Black and brown designers in fashion?
We’re dedicated to helping all entrepreneurs and small businesses take the guesswork out of business growth, not only through our world-class marketing and automation software — but also by providing access where there is none, delivering resources for historically excluded groups, and being a platform for every ambition.
