INSPIRED BY IN-DEPTH RESEARCH INTO THE IDENTITY AND POSITION OF BLACK MEN IN THE FASHION INDUSTRY, THE CAPSULE COLLECTION “SHIFTING THE NARRATIVE” EMERGED FROM CONVERSATIONS WITH BLACK MEN ACROSS THE INDUSTRY. 

FOR THE STUDY, OHIM TOOK A CRITICAL LOOK AT HOW BLACK MEN PREFER TO SEE THEMSELVES REPRESENTED IN FASHION, THE OBSTACLES THEY FACE, AND THEIR HOPES FOR GREATER INCLUSION AND EMPOWERMENT. THE RESULT IS A CAPSULE COLLECTION THAT BOLDLY REDEFINES MAINSTREAM MENSWEAR WHICH IS AN ODE TO THE BLACK MAN IN THE FASHION INDUSTRY. 

PHOTOGRAPHY DUO CARIN VERBRUGGEN AND FERRY DRENTHEM SOESMAN LED BY CREATIVE DIRECTOR NOUKHEY FORSTER SHED LIGHT ON THE BLACK MAN IN FASHION IN A SOMETIMES DARK PLACE. WITH THIS THEY AIM TO INSPIRE THE BLACK MAN AND OTHERS TO EXPRESS THEMSELVES AND TO CREATE SPACE. THEY HOPE TO PUT HIM IN A NEW LIGHT WHERE HE FEELS COMFORTABLE ENOUGH TO EXPRESS HIMSELF AND TAKE HIS POSITION IN THE INDUSTRY.

THE CAPSULE COLLECTION FEATURES PIECES OF APPAREL AND ACCESSORIES IN A MINIMALIST, CONTEMPORARY STYLE. KEY DESIGNS INCLUDE A LOOK THAT REPRESENTS A WISH FOR THE BLACK MAN IN WHICH HE FEELS COMFORTABLE AND CREATES SPACE TO EXPRESS HIMSELF, A LOOK THAT SHOWS THE VERSATILITY OF THE BLACK MAN AND A LOOK THAT SHOWS THE FIGHTING SPIRIT OF THE BLACK MAN. 

ALL ITEMS WERE ETHICALLY AND SUSTAINABLY PRODUCED IN AMSTERDAM BY PEOPLE OF COLOR.

Concept & design: OHIM @ohimconcepts
Creative Director: Noukhey Forster @noukhey
Photography: Carin Verbruggen & Ferry Drenthem Soesman @carinverbruggen
Make-up artist: Mila De Jong @makeup_by_miladejong
Styling: Noukhey Forster @noukhey
Production: Michael Ekow @michael3kow
Model: David A. via @newgenerationmodels

This capsule collection is supported by the AFK.