Black Luxury

By Dr. J. Ester Davis

Say hello to Archie Clay III and Tajh Crutch, two black fraternity brothers who first met in the Spring of 2011 during a new member cluster for Alpha Phi Alpha.  First as fraternity brothers, their bond carried them into ambitions as fashion designers and the rest is history.

Black designers have always been in vogue, but most worked behind the scenes in large and small designer fashion houses that we are familiar with, i.e., Pierre Balmain, Coco Chanel, etc.   One of the most famous black creators-of-style was Mrs. Ann Lowe, the most recognized, sought after and talented fashion designer who designed Jackie Kennedy’s wedding gown to then Senator John F. Kennedy.  Ann Lowe, an elite couturier of the 1950’s was responsible for generations of New York City’s socialite fashionistas. In the 80’s, I visited the Black Fashion Museum in New York, where several of her entertainer’s costumes and gowns were on display.  Today, at the Smithsonian National Museum of African American History and Culture there is recognition due and given to Ann Lowe. However, to this day, Ann Lowe is left out of the conversations about designers, style, its legacy and history.

Co founders of WEAR BRIMS broke into the fashion industry in 2016 with their “name-on-it” high-end hat line.  The company motto is basic principles. . . family, faith and confidence.  Their coming together breaks generational myths, redefining determination and persistence, not to mention securing their family’s future and breaking down barriers.  Wear Brims is the first black-owned luxury hat brand to be sold in Nordstrom Stores in the United States and online.  There is a second partnership in the mix with Neiman Marcus.  Wear Brims is also sold at Perimeter Mall, Atlanta, Garden State Plaza, New Jersey and New York’s Men’s Store, Manhatten, New York.  Speaking briefly to Archie Clay about Nordstrom’s in Dallas. . .  “ it feels amazing for the brand but most importantly the individuals that support us”.  Cedric the Entertainer helped get visibility in Nordstrom. When asked what does a hat do?  “It’s debonair and cool”, and there appears to be a broad and waiting clientele that has propelled and created “Black Luxury”.

We HAVE MORE . . . . on Missing-Black- Girls’ growing StarPower:

Look and listen for the Charles Hatley Black Tie Boxing, a celebrity night of amateur boxing with the main event… ‘female boxers’. Monday, December 13, 2021. Doors open at 7:00 PM. Just give me a call

214.376.9000 or esterdavis2000@gmail.com.