In its second year, Áwet New York will expand its NYFW Showroom, which will include Black, Indigenous and people of color designers, at its store at 57 Bond Street from Friday to Feb. 13.
During this time, a curated group of Black, Indigenous and people of color-owned women’s brands across apparel, accessories and footwear will show in the 2,100-square-foot space. The brands include Áwet New York, which was founded by Awet Woldegebriel, a refugee from Eritrea, and which focuses on craftsmanship and community. The men’s and women’s collections feature luxury essentials.
Awet Woldegebriel
Rachel Kuzma, courtesy of Awet.
The other brands are Esenshel, a classic American headwear brand reimagined and re-proportioned for the 21st century; Shekudo, under the creative direction of Akudo (Amy) Iheakanwa, which offers footwear and accessories and produces in Lagos, and Dur Doux, a fashion label from the mom-and-daughter duo Majla and Cynthia Burt, who design ready-to-wear collections, drawing inspiration from their coastal upbringing in Florida.
In addition to these four brands headlining the showroom, throughout the week other brands will host pop-ins within the store.
During Black History Month, Áwet’s goal is to do its part to offer designers an opportunity to focus on their creativity, art and fashion. The company believes that having a space where brands can meet with buyers and boutiques will impact their businesses. This latest event comes after a consistent effort to uplift the Black community, including last year’s showroom event for Black-owned brands, hosting a dinner celebrating 17 other Black designers in 2022, and partnering with Kenneth Cole to host a holiday pop-up featuring 10 small Black-owned businesses in the Bowery in 2021.
Woldengebriel opened Áwet’s first flagship at 57 Bond Street called Livewear in September, featuring an evolving roster of luxury designers of color, a first of its kind in New York City as a permanent fixture in the neighborhood.