Anifa Mvuemba, designer of the luxury label Hanifa, presented her collection Pink Label Congo on May 22nd — just shy of 2 weeks ago. In the midst of the pandemic many brands are scurrying to pivot while stay at home orders and social distancing remain in place and the fate of September fashion week remains unknown. However, last month the DMV designer announced that she would be showing her latest collection via a live streamed 3D virtual experience.
Today, Forbes published an article championing a Prada-backed AI startup Bigthinx, in partnership with Fashinnovation, stating the startup “will live stream the first fully digital 3D Virtual Fashion Show (including digitised human models) since the coronavirus pandemic forced the fashion industry online,” when indeed that is untrue. Anifa, a Black woman just did it.
“This will be the first time many fashion professionals have seen virtual fashion since the industry-wide discussions about implementing it ramped up, following the coronavirus-induced lockdown,” the article continues. Somehow so many of us (roughly 10,000 people) saw it happen just 13 days ago, but it slipped under the radar of Forbes, who previously featured Anifa for her cultivating the intersection of fashion and versatility. In fact many publications including Teen Vogue, Harpers Bazaar and Afrotech took note of the groundbreaking imprint Anifa made on the fashion industry that night.
Not only did Anifa flawlessly execute a virtual experience featuring a size inclusive model lineup, the collection was available for purchase at the conclusion of the show. A collection which is now sold out. Astonished by the unbelievable execution and innovation virtual viewers witnessed, some called for publications including Forbes to feature her. A feature that happened, which makes this even more ironic.
This morning upon publication, marketer and podcast co-host Joymarie Parker called out Forbes for not giving Anifa credit. The outpour of understandable disdain for said erasure and support for Anifa swiftly overcame Twitter. Various users called for lawsuits and trademarks, for which Anifa humbly responded that she has an amazing attorney who will handle the situation on the backend.
This is false @Forbes. A 29-year old Black woman (@AnifaM) did this on May 22 for @officialHanifa. This was covered by @harpersbazaarus @TeenVogue @Essence and others. The lack of due dillegence here is irresponsible. Give credit where credit is due. https://t.co/D4BPiI14bk
— Joymarie Parker (@heymissparkerr) June 4, 2020
We have an amazing attorney. There are things happening on the backend. That I chose not to share.
— + (@AnifaM) June 4, 2020
The erasure of a Black woman, in the name of a company backed by Prada who used outrage marketing with its imagery of
The post We Asked You To Remember Who Did It First And You Did Not appeared first on Essence.