Black Fashion Flair, the non-profit organization that works towards the “discovery and furtherance of black designers and black-owned brands,” has partnered with trailblazing contemporary artist Jean-Michel Basquiat’s estate for an art exhibit/collaboration entitled, “Those Who Dress Better,” that’s not only open for viewing, but also for shopping.
To both honor and celebrate the late artist’s work, his sisters Lisane Basquiat and Jeanine Heriveaux commissioned nine Black-owned brands — Hanifa, Theophilio, Brandon Blackwood, Who Decides War, Johnny Nelson, Bed on Water, Homage Year, Head of State, and Advisry — to create pieces based on his body of work.
Spearheaded by Black Fashion Fair, the capsule of ready-to-wear apparel and accessories merges each brand’s signature style with Basquiat’s art. Sixteen of the pieces are available for purchase for a limited time: There are sweaters, painted handbags and crown-shaped jewelry, priced between $20 (for a pack of Theophilio buttons) to $480 (for Advisry’s throw blanket). The rest aren’t for sale, but are being displayed at King Pleasure, as part of a show-within-the-show titled “Those Who Dress Better”; there, you can see a knit dress by Washington, D.C.–based label Hanifa, painted leather boots by Brandon Blackwood and an embroidered sweater by Advisry designer Keith Herron.
The collaborative fashion project is tied to the “King Pleasure” exhibit currently on display in New York City through January 1. “King Pleasure” offers visitors an intimate look at Jean-Michel that can only be shown by the family, featuring over 200 rarely-seen paintings, drawings and artifacts, all from the Basquait estate. The shoppable “Those Who Dress Better” pieces will be sold exclusively at the “King Pleasure” Emporium in Chelsea (601 West 26th Street) and online at blackfashionfair.org until Dec. 31.
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