Kristian Lorén Create Your Norm

I grew up watching 90’s sitcoms and I remember seeing the brand everywhere on tv! So on this final day of Black History Month we want to highlight the brand Cross Colours! Cross Colours Clothing Without Prejudice Founders TJ Walker and Carl Jones · In 1989 the duo started the brand Cross Colours · Walker and Jones wanted something for the culture and for people that were into Hip Hop so they’ve created Cross Colours · NYC is the birthplace of Hip Hop, so For inspiration they took a trip to NYC. They rode the subway back and forth from Brooklyn to Harlem to observe how the kids dressed. · They were wearing these huge baggy pants that they belted - the pants were 38 and the kid was probably a size 30. We looked at them and thought it was interesting. TJ started sketching and everything started from there. · With only three months to prepare, the duo made history at the Magic Show (trade show) · They were the only African American company present at the show and ended up with $20 million dollars of orders. · Cross Colours have been worn and supported by many celebrities starting with Will Smith. He started rocking the brand on the hit show “The Fresh Prince of Belair” after that record companies started sending their artist to the brand. · The brand was very popular earning upwards of $100 million annually. · Their biggest retailer at the time was Merry-Go-Round. When they’d announce bankruptcy Cross Colours had a difficult time recouping their merchandise and or receiving payment. As a result, they had to close the business. · The duo separated but found themselves reunited in 2014 when they heard consumers were asking for the brand again. · The brand has been worn by Cardi B, TLC, Will Smith, Billie Eilish, Tupac, Billie Eilish, Karrueche and many more. https://crosscolours.com/ · #Kristianloren #CrossColours #BlackFashionHistory #BlackHistory #BlackDesignersMatter

Sean John · Founded in 1998 by music icon Sean “Diddy” Combs · Inspired by the extraordinary lifestyle of Diddy himself, Sean John’s impeccable design bridged the gap between menswear and streetwear long before it was trendy. · In 2004, Diddy was named CFDA Menswear Designer of the Year, · In 2007 Sean John won the prestigious Fifi Award for its fragrance Unforgivable and 2009 for their fragrance I Am King in 2009 · Today, the brand spans multiple categories, including Tailored Suits, Outerwear, Hats, Watches, Eyewear, Fragrance, Loungewear, Bedding and more. · Sean John has been worn by many celebrities, Drake, John Wall,Nas, Quincy Combs, Blockboi JB, YFN Lucci, Jacquees and more. · #Kristianloren #SeanJohn #BlackFashionHistory #BlackHistory #BlackDesignersMatter https://seanjohn.com/pages/about

Ruth E. Carter Academy Award-Winning Costume Designer · Her career has spanned over 35 years and 60 films and television projects · Carter won the award for best costume design for her work for Black Panther during the 91st annual Academy Awards · Carter was nominated previously for Spike Lee’s Malcolm X (1992) and Steven Spielberg’s Amistad (1997). · Attended Hampton University as a Special Educator major, then switched her major to theatre and became known as the “costume designer” on campus. · Carter interned at the Santa Fe Opera in New Mexico, where she decided that, rather than sew, she “wanted to present my illustrations and have a team of people build them.” · Started out as a backstage dresser at the Los Angeles Theatre Center and quickly “talked her way up” to become foreman of the costume shop. Then landed a gig for a freelance costume designer at the Lula Washington’s Dance Theatre. · Carter was introduced to Spike Lee by Robi Reed. Since she didn’t have any experience with film, he suggested that she go to USC or UCLA and sign up in the film studies department to work with someone on their senior thesis project. So she did. · Later, Spike Lee asked her to be the costume designer for his movie ‘School Daze’. So, she quit her job and started sketching. · 1992 Spike Lee called on Carter to be the costume designer of the film ‘Malcom X’. Earning Carter her first Academy-Award costume design nomination and making history as the first black woman nominated in this category. · She has since worked with Lee on 14 films and has designed for many other directors including Ryan Coogler, Lee Daniels, Ava DuVernay, John Singleton, and Steven Spielberg. · February 25, 2021 Ruth E. Carter received her start on the Hollywood Walk Of Fame. · #Kristianloren #RuthCarter #RuthECarter #BlackFashionHistory #BlackHistory #BlackDesignersMatter https://www.hollywoodreporter.com/lists/10-surprising-facts-oscar-winner-ruth-e-carter-her-designs-1191544 - https://www.essence.com/fashion/black-influential-designers/#298812 https://www.scadfash.org/exhibitions/ruth-e-carter-afrofuturism-costume-design

Gordon Henderson · Known for his unique color combinations and transforming inexpensive fabrics into expensive silhouettes. · Watching his mother sew growing up, by the time Henderson was in high school he was making his own clothes. · Studied Medicine at University Of California but later transferred to Parsons. · Graduated from Parsons in 1984 · Was the design assistant to Calvin Klein · Six months later he left to start freelancing on his own · In 1987, he launched his Gordon Henderson line. · 1989 won the Council of Fashion Designer’s Perry Ellis New Designer of the Year award · Landed an exclusive deal with Saks Fifth Avenue · 1990 he launched his line “But Gordon” a lower priced line, the next year the his sales exceed $6 million dollars according to People Magazine. · Launched his bespoke line when he designed John F. Kennedy’s Jr wedding suit for his marriage to Carolyn Bessette. https://383designstudionyc.wordpress.com/2019/02/25/28-days-of-black-fashion-history-gordon-henderson/ https://twitter.com/bronze_bombshel/status/1224339104894214144. #Kristianloren #GordonHenderson #BlackFashionHistory #BlackHistory #BlackDesignersMatter.

Walker Wear By @iamaprilwalker Pioneer & Trailblazer of Streetwear One of the 1st Women to Dominate in Men’s Urbanwear Apparel · In 1987 Walker started her clothing store Fashion In Effect out of her home, and in 1988 she opened her first clothing shop on Greene Avenue in Brooklyn. · Walker Wear paved the way for the multi-billion dollar streetwear category. · At the age of 20 Walker became an entrepreneur · 1990 she launched the link Walker Wear · Walker Wear is a heritage lifestyle fashion brand delivering the 3 F’s, fashion, fit, and function. · Clients included celebrities such as Biggie, the late Aaliyah, Tupac, Run-DMC, and Snoop Dogg among many others. · April Walker was one of the first ladies to dominate in Urban Menswear! · Walker is also CEO of A. Walker Group a consulting firm that works with companies from footwear to fashion. She has relaunched Walker Wear and celebrating the 25th Anniversary. · She has a book available on Amazon called “Walkergems, Get Your A$% Off The Couch”. · Walker is also featured in the award-winning documentary, The Remix: Hip Hop x Fashion (2019). · The walker Wear RAW series is a collaborative campaign sharing human stories and promoting sustainability through visual content, storytelling and meaningful conversations. The series will start by highlighting Black American Fashion Stylists and Costume Wardrobe Designers, all dipped in Walker Wear’s RAW denim or other styles. https://hiphopeducation.com/women-in-hip-hop/april-walker-is-fresh-bold-and-so-def/#:~:text=April%20Walker%20is%20a%20pioneer,fashion%2C%20fit%2C%20and%20function. https://walkerwear.com/pages/raw #Kristianloren #WalkerWear #AprilWalker #BlackFashionHistory #BlackHistory #BlackDesignersMatter