Lifestyle Round-up
Published:Tuesday | January 23, 2024 | 3:43 PM
Diotima, Theophilio set to show in February NYFW
The Council of Fashion Designers of America has released the official New York Fashion calendar for February 2024 and returning to the list are Diotima, the Brooklyn-based brand by Jamaican designer Rachel Scott and New York-based Theophilio by Jamaica-born designer, Edvin Thompson. Both are expected to make presentations for the fall/winter 2024 season.
Sheryl Ralph wows in CD Greene, Christian Siriano
From the Critics Choice Awards to the Emmys, Jamaican-American actress Sheryl Lee Ralph, dressed by daughter, stylist Ivy ‘Coco’ Maurice, brought ‘90s glamour, first in a gemmed CD Greene gown and again in a white, plunging tuxedo mermaid gown by Christian Siriano.
Ralph, who in 2022 made history as a first-time nominee and winner at 66, was nominated for her second Emmy in the Outstanding Supporting Actress in a Comedy Series category. She congratulated The Bear’s Ayo Edebiri who received the 2023 award. “It took 35 years for me to be the second black actress to win an Emmy for [Best] Supporting Actress in Comedy. And a year later I am very proud and very happy to celebrate @ayoedebiri in her incredible win!” wrote Ralph on Instagram.
The Plastics, Ali Wong wear Brandon Blackwood
It has been a busy week for Brandon Blackwood. The New York-based, Jamaican-Chinese designer released his Taxi Crystal Clutch, which includes over 3,000 hand-placed crystals, on Friday. Brandon Blackwood was also featured in the 2024 musical teen comedy, Mean Girls. With fashion brought to life by SNL and 30 Rock Costume Designer Tom Broecker, the Plastics carry bags by Kurt Geiger, Versace and yes, Brandon Blackwood.
Nursing a knee injury, the Beef’s Ali Wong, who took home a Critics Choice Award for Best Actress in a Limited Series or Movie Made for Television and Outstanding Lead Actress in a Limited or Anthology Series or Movie Emmy, wore black Brandon Blackwood platform heels to both events, pairing it with Louis Vuitton one night and Givenchy the other.
Greta Constantine turns heads
Greta Constantine, led by Jamaican-Canadian designers Kirk Pickersgill and Stephen Wong, turned heads at the Emmys with Niecy Nash-Betts’ daring bespoke Greta Constantine gown that featured a plunging neckline, a waist-cinching bodice and a flared mermaid skirt. Oh, what a fit! Nash-Betts, who won Best Supporting Actress in a Limited or Anthology Series or Movie for her role as Glenda Cleveland in Dahmer – Monster: The Jeffrey Dahmer Story wowed on the silver carpet and wasn’t the only one wearing the Canada-based brand. So too did Abbott Elementary’s Lisa Ann Walter.
Coming up ‘Roses’
The Martine Rose co-designed autumn/winter 2024 Clarks capsule collection, ‘Coming Up Roses’, got the showroom treatment for Paris Fashion Week. This was the British-Jamaican designer and British Fashion Awards Menswear Designer of the Year 2023’s second Clarks collection. The Clarks Guest Creative Director and last season’s Pitti Uomo guest designer also filmed her January 6 London show and released a riotous fashion film for her fall 2024 menswear collection, screening in Paris with a surprise show.
Wales Bonner releases ‘study’ on black cultural impact, HBCUs
Fresh off the unveiling of her spring/summer 2024 campaign starring World Champion long-distance runners Tamirat Tola and Yomif Kejelcha, British-Jamaican designer Grace Wales Bonner presented her autumn/winter 2024 menswear collection, ‘Dream Study’ at Paris Fashion Week at a show featuring hip-hop legend Yasiin Bey. The impact of historically black colleges and universities (HBCUs), particularly Howard, which was emblazoned on sweaters and sweatshirts, was on clear display for this inspired take on preppy collegiate wear.