Macy's Features Black Fashion Innovators Through its Icons of Style Collections

The year 2020 (continuing into 2021) has reinvigorated something of a social reconning regarding race in America. This reconning has been felt across all sectors, and the fashion industry was particularly called out for its systemic lack of diversity with regard to both the business and creative sides of the space. In response, stores, brands, agencies and publications began to consider action ways they could better include non-white members of the fashion community, while also catering to a wider range of consumers. One such entity was retail behemoth Macy’s. The storied retail chain, known for its wide variety of products and goods, realized it could do more to not only sell more stuff but to sell stuff designed by creators that reflect the diverse range of Macy’s customers.

Pieces From Allen Onyia's Collection

Photo: Macy's

It goes without saying that Black people are the ultimate cultural influencers. In addition, Black shoppers make up one of the most important segments of consumers in this country. Despite these important factors, Black people are often not able to actually purchase items created by people that look like them and/or reflect their experiences. To help bridge this gap, Macy’s decided to partner with Black designers to create capsule collections for its INC International Concepts line. Macy’s Icons of Style features the work of five fashion innovators including two Black creatives, Allen Onyia and Ouigi Theodore.

Pieces From Allen Onyia's Collection

Photo: Macy's

Allen Onyia is a style coach, brand consultant and co-founder of Upscale Hype. His capsule collection consists of nine pieces that reflect elements of his own personal style, while still offering customers the ability to mix and match into their own wardrobes. A standout element of Onyia’s collection is how he plays with color. While he offers a crisp pair of black chinos, as well as black and white versions of a mock-neck t-shirt, his most interesting pieces involve mixing colors through both striped patterns and tie-dye effects. His tie-dye denim jacket in pastel shades of blue, pink and yellow is arguably the star piece of the collection, with Lebron James himself recently wearing it to an NBA game (it has sense sold-out). A crisp white button-down features the text “What a Parade!” on the back, a reference to the retailer's famous Thanksgiving Day event. And with prices ranging between $45 and $150 (shop here), consumers can easily afford to have quite the fashion parade indeed.

Pieces From Ouigi Theodore's Collection

Photo: Macy's

Brooklyn Circus founder, Ouigi Theodore's INC collection represents a mix of vintage prep with futuristic, utilitarian shapes, ultimately blending elements of the past, present and future. Theodore's collection consists of 10 pieces based in natural tones like greens and tans, with inflections of bright color throughout. Similar to Allen Onyia's collection, Theodore's line is designed in pieces rather than set outfits, making them easy to pair with different items from the collection, or with clothing a customer might already own. Pattern and print play a large part in the DNA of the clothes, with a pair of khaki shorts featuring an embroidered tiger face and sun motif. T-shirts range from striped numbers resembling the American flag, to a daisy-covered top with a reference to the year 1945. Standout items include two pieces of outerwear: a cream jacquard collared jacket, and an olive green nylon military jacket. Prices range between $30 and $90 and you can shop the collection here.

Pieces From Ouigi Theodore's Collection

Photo: Macy's