Obi Anyanwu

Decoding Genderless Fashion, the Future of the Industry

“Unisex,” the industry’s buzzword and symbol for inclusion and diversity, is now more mainstream thanks to brands casting male and female models for their look books and designers casting a broader spectrum of genders for their fashion shows. But with the advent of unisex collections comes a myriad of questions. For one, what makes a collection unisex? Also, where does it fit in a store or web site?

Equal Measure: Moving the Conversation Forward

The killing of George Floyd at the hands of Minneapolis police officers reexposed much that had been ignored in the U.S. and in the fashion industry. While much of the world is on pause due to the coronavirus, attention to police brutality, inequality and the mistreatment of citizens in the U.S. and abroad has come to the forefront. Many fashion companies, brands, publications and individuals in the industry have stepped forward to say “Black Lives Matter,” showing support for the movement. Numerous fashion news sites shared stories highlighting Black fashion designers and business owners with the intent to right the ship in its path to progress.

But in doing so, these stories exposed that this moment is history repeating itself.

How Cultural Appropriation Became a Hot-button Issue for Fashion

Fashion has always stemmed from culture, drawing from it, embracing global exploration, and tapping into music and art to set the tone for visual design.

While the early days of trade opened the door to cultural exchange — expanding commerce, bringing exotic textiles to new markets and allowing never-before-seen novelties to inspire designs — it simultaneously made way for cultural appropriation. And today cultural appropriation can prove to be a minefield for companies that make missteps.

Atlanta Heats Up as the Southeast U.S.’ Fashion Hub

Could Atlanta be America’s next fashion capital?

The city has long been a business and cultural hub for the Southeastern U.S. given its airport and central location. Now, with Atlanta’s growing entertainment, business and technology scenes, fashion outsiders are jumping on the opportunity that locals and early adopters are helping to create.