Macy’s launches exclusive collaborations celebrating Black creatives

By

Robin Driver

Published
Mar 30, 2021

New York-based department store chain Macy’s has announced the launch of Icons of Style, a series of five collaborative capsules from Black creatives, including Zerina Akers, Allen Onyia, Ouigi Theodore, Misa Hylton, and Aminah Abdul Jillil.

The creatives have teamed up with Macy’s-exclusive brands to produce collections that seek to reflect each collaborator’s unique perspective and celebrate Black creativity and design. The resulting capsules feature both women’s and men’s ready-to-wear, as well as footwear.
 
Stylist Zerina Akers partnered with Bar III for a capsule that stays true to the label’s spirit, combining a more traditionally feminine aesthetic with modern elements. Items on offer in the collection include mixed media suiting, bodysuits decorated with chain link, and knit dresses with power shoulders.

Misa Hylton, Aminah Abdul Jillil, and Allen Onyia have all teamed up with the I.N.C. International Concepts brand. Hylton, perhaps best known for her work as a stylist and designer for rappers and other musicians, has created a capsule channelling her Black and Japanese heritage into vibrant suits and blouses referencing kimonos.
 
Jallil, on the other hand, has tapped into her background as a performing artist to produce a versatile footwear collection built around the statement heel. Offering a broad range of styles, the capsule features unexpected shapes and eye-catching details, such as gold hearts and chunky chains.
 
Onyia’s contribution is a menswear collection which seeks to be both accessible and representative of his own personal style. The capsule consists of statement pieces that make dynamic use of colors, patterns and silhouettes.
 
Finally, Ouigi Theodore’s collection for the Sun + Stone brand subtly blends heritage with contemporary components to create a fresh twist on the traditional menswear offering. Underpinned by vintage military references, hand-drawn artwork and the symbolic use of personally significant dates, the capsule pays homage to the designer’s mother.
 
“We are thrilled to celebrate Black excellence and amplify the voices and exceptional talent of five Black creatives,” said VP for Macy’s fashion office, Durand Guion, in a release. “We’re using this moment to tell their stories and provide our fashion-devoted customers with exclusive, one-of-a-kind pieces to help them express their personal style.”
 
Icons of Style is part of wider efforts being made at Macy’s to promote and support the growth of Black-owned businesses and Black creatives, which have included initiatives seeking to drive greater diversity in the talent behind the retailer’s product offering. Icons of Style will cover a total of three seasonal collections, with further capsule releases scheduled for May and September.
 
The first round of Icons of Style capsules is now available on the Macy’s e-commerce platform, as well as in select Macy’s stores across the United States.