"I Wanna Be Ready" Editorial for Collective Magazine - A Mosaic of Melanin & Sustainable Style

We are kicking off the New Year by featuring an exclusive editorial for COLLECTIVE MAGAZINE - shot by photographer Timothy Smith and art directed by Oakland native Paix Robinson. The editorial speaks to some of our values of promoting and growing diversity in world of fashion and redefining effervescent standards of melanin beauty. Additionally, the shoot features some amazing luxe sustainable designers. In 2017, it's our goal to hone in on LOVE: love for people of color and diversities of all genres, love for the planet, love for brilliant risk takers, love of art and cultural relevancy, love for the authenticity of fashion, love for natural beauty and love for life's untampered ecosystems.

"I Wanne Be Ready" for this amazing new year of Melanin & Sustainable Style!

Haitian model Yanii Gough and Sudanese model George Okeny are both wearing jackets by Planet by Lauren G. Women's wear designer Lauren Grossman uses natural fabrics such as Irish handkerchief linen, pima cotton and washed silk organza. Her soft hues are inspired by natural elements such as sea, fog and putty. The beauty of her brand is that the Japanese inspired collections are loose fitting creating a size less and season-less line that compliments the planet.

Both Yanii and George are wearing scarfs by emerging fashion brand Cityzen by Azin. This bespoke brand "transforms aerial views of cities into wearable art, taking inspiration from colors and patterns of the earth from above".

This shoot featured multiple designers and we especially love this look in green, acting as a reflection of nature. The amazing designer of these pants is Madiyah Al Sharqi - a sought after womenswear label based out of Fujairah, United Arab Emirates. It's such a gem when a luxury label can seamlessly infuse tailored sophistication with a kiss of culture.