It was a Wakanda wonderland in New York City this week, as New York Fashion Week kicked off week 2 with a star-studded presentation inspired by looks from Marvel’s highly-anticipated Black Panther film.
Ever since Marvel treated us with the first trailer for Black Panther, fashionista around the world have been craving to dress up like the citizens of Wakanda. Carter’s designs, her team of illustrators, designers, jewelry makers and other talent, have already poised her as a Oscar nomination next year.
Carter, who was was previously nominated in 1992 for her work on Spike Lee’s Malcolm X and again in 1997 for Steven Spielberg’s Amistad, has become a favorite to win, making it a first for Marvel in any category. Her designs even drew inspiration from Winnie Mandela.
Carter said, “I felt that no one really took the dive and decided to be inspired by the Maasi or the Turkana and infuse that in the futuristic model.”
The Industria venue was transformed into a real-life Wakanda rainforest, which proved the perfect backdrop for the stunning NYFW presentation of models outfitted in Black Panther-inspired designs by CHROMAT, Cushnie et Ochs, Fear of God, Ikiré Jones, LaQuan Smith, Sophie Theallet, and Tome. Following the show, each of the bespoke looks were set to be auctioned off in support of the Save the Children international humanitarian organization.
Carter looked for inspiration from South Africa’s very own, Winnie Mandela, when she designed the mysteriously attractive headpieces worn by queen, Ramonda. Carter explained, Black Panther draws on a diverse spectrum of indigenous African source, from the Xhosa, Surimi’s, Dinka and Tuareg tribes to the Doyon of Mali.
“African influences haven’t been well-represented. The continent is such a rich resource creatively. I felt that no one really took the dive and decided to be inspired by the Maasi or the Turkana and infuse that in the futuristic model.”
Pictures: Twitter
