THE BIG MOTION AND HBCU SHOW powered by IMG x UPS celebrated the work of three emerging Black designers at Spring Studios. The Brand Label, Chelsea Grays and Undra Celeste New York each presented their collections to guests such as Solange Franklin,Sergio Hudson, and Lala Anthony.
Grant Committee members included:● Alexander-Julian Gibbson, Stylist● Kahlana Barfield Brown, Fashion & Beauty Editor● Shiona Turini, Stylist & Costume Designer
For the show each designer debuted their latest collections which all shared a similar theme, a continuation and evolution of the designer’s previously shown pieces.
Opening the show was The BRAND Label duo Shaq and Nola, who named their collection Evolution. They started the brand in 2018 and wanted to showcase how much their brand has evolved over the years. This collection represents growth and was inspired by the branded woman and her journey throughout life. “We wanted to design garments that allowed her to celebrate every phase and moment of her life as she evolves because she is the MOMENT.” Shaq and Nola met at Virginia State University in 2005. They instantly connected through their love of fashion and personal style.
Following The BRAND Label’s collection was Chelsea Grays, a luxury streetwear brand that emerged in 2018 with a powerful mission: to inspire positive change in the world through fashion, art, and activism. Entitled Streets Lights, is Chelsea Grays’ fourth collection but also the first time a womenwear line has been featured, providing shoppers with a new means of representing the fashion brand through the inclusion of women-centered apparel and styles. Inspired by the designer’s childhood in Cleveland, Ohio, the owner and founder, Chelsea Grays, associated “Street Lights” with a time in her youth when street lights played a vital role in signaling the end of playtime. The young designer explains, “The idea is wherever you are in life you have a place to go that is home.” The theme stresses the importance of community on one’s identity, despite the influence of distance and time.
Closing the show was Undra Duncan founder and creative director of Undra Celeste New York showcasing her new collection New Era. The collection is inspired by the evolution of womanhood and how more than ever women have to be strong and fight for their place in the world – “It’s the clothes we all want to wear to this fight.”This is a new era for Undra Celeste New York as she elevates and steps into a clearer vision and stronger DNA. Undra Celeste is a modern workwear brand for multicultural women, the perfect mix of professional dressing and statement dressing invoking confidence and an unapologetic presence. Undra started her fashion journey as early as 7-years old in Brooklyn and graduated from Howard University where she started her 20 year career in corporate design and product development.
Photographer: Elizabeth Wirija
