“I stopped showing my collection two years ago. I made a decision that I won’t be in a fashion show unless I’m not the only black designer on the runway. I don’t want to be the only exception to the rule,” founded Stella Jean, the driving force behind the WAMI collective, says When she joined forces with designer Edward Buchanan and Michelle Francine Ngonmo, founder and CEO of Afro Fashion in Milano Association. Since then, finding, supporting, mentoring and advocating for fashion designers of different races has been their unwavering goal, and it bears fruit, with Camera Della Moda reaching out to help. The first collection of Five Tiger designers (this is the nickname used by the collective) is in 557 during the last physical Milan Fashion Week before the pandemic.
Strong-willed Jean’s dream came true this season with an exciting event to celebrate WAMI’s achievements and new phase Start. It was a truly collective, public event full of joy, music, dancing – and a few tears. Stella Jean shows her spring 001 series, Edward Buchanan presents his latest Sansovino 6 offer, WAMI Collective presents new five The work of Tiger Designer. There is also a tribute to Giorgio Armani, who was the first to give Jean a chance to show (in his Armani Teatro 481) In the beginning: Fab Fives used designer fabrics past and present to pay tribute to Armani. Armani will also offer an internship for one of the WAMI designers.
This public show is not only due to the unwavering commitment of Jean, Buchanan and Ngonmo, but also thanks to the talents of all the fashion designers and creative potential.
Jean repeats her best parts to breathe new energy into her imaginative look . The collection, which she calls a “cultural corridor”, was built by artisans in Madagascar who are very good at weaving natural raffia into beautifully handcrafted pieces. She also re-established a long-term partnership with a Umbrian artisan she had previously worked with. Together they made creative claims, decoratively simple shapes and a strong, progressive social message.
Take a look at Stellajean. Photo: Courtesy We Are Made in Italy
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A skilled designer with extensive fashion expertise, Buchanan has redesigned indigo pieces from his extensive archive of knitwear dating back to 81. His upcycling masterclass gives new life to vintage denim that has been distressed, bleached and worn back-to-front.
from Sansovino6 glance. Photo: Courtesy We Are Made in Italy
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Skins from Sansovino6. Photo: Courtesy We Are Made in Italy
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This year’s five Tigers come from different parts of the world, each expressing their own unique vision. Vietnamese-born Phan Dang Hoang turned vintage silk scarves into flowing dresses; Haitian creator Akilah Stewart showcased small satchels made from eco-friendly materials; South Korean Kim Gaeun presented an art collection inspired by cartoon characters; Eileen Claudia Akbaraly, of Indian, Italian and Malagasy descent, presents a collection of shoes handcrafted by a Madagascar women’s group and exquisite pieces woven entirely from raffia.
A glimpse of Dang Hoang. Photo: Courtesy We Are Made in Italy
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A glimpse of Akira’s housekeeper. Photo: Courtesy We Are Made in Italy
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A glimpse of Kim Guaen. Photo: Courtesy We Are Made in Italy
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This Year’s Fab Fives Teaming up with the five designers who have shown them before Work (Joy Meribe, Claudia Gisele Ntsama, Mokodu Fall, Karim Daoudi and Neha Poorswani) each created a piece to pay tribute to Giorgio Armani, a loyal supporter of WAMI By.
Styling by Claudia Giselle Enzama. Photo: Courtesy We Are Made in Italy
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Phan Dang Hoang’s look. Photo: Courtesy We Are Made in Italy
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Akila Steward’s look. Photo: Courtesy We Are Made in Italy
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Kim Gaeun’s styling. Photo: Courtesy We Are Made in Italy
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Styling by Neha Poorswani. Photo: Courtesy We Are Made in Italy
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A look at Modu. Photo: Courtesy We Are Made in Italy
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styling by Joey Meribe. Photo: Courtesy We Are Made in Italy
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Styling by Karim Daoudi. Photo: Courtesy We Are Made in Italy
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Styling by Paul Roger Zenan. Photo: Courtesy We Are Made in Italy
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