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DIASPORALOOKBOOK

Henry SpencerHenry Spencer created Golden Hanger in 2007 while attend-ing Wayne State University in Detroit, MI. What was once a small tee shirt promotion company has transpired into a multifaceted clothing company. Golden Hanger Designs provides custom dresses and apparel for women, and custom shirts and sweaters for men. Henry’s designs are bold, sexy, and one-of-a-kind, perfect for the socially conscious fashionista!

CharleneDunbar

Traditional African garb needed a makeover.

In 2007 Charlene began pulling from her treasure chest of style lessons from her mom, aunts, and fellow Liberian church ladies, remixing their influence with her point of view as a designer.

Suakoko betty dresses are truly a labor of love: the designs celebrate Africa’s bold, distinctive design heritage and culture against the negative stereotypes that are often tied to the continent that Charlene is proud to call home

we own the night Jason Scott Harriette Thomas

JLoren’s designs for the daring yet sophisticated woman who will stop at nothing to enjoy life. The new Fall/Winter 2014 collection speaks to this woman. The collection is an urban safari with a mixture of fabrications from pleather to snakeskin equipped with tassels, fringe, and ruffles.

BernyMartin

For as long as I can remember, I have been interested in clothing and fashion. At eight years of age, I began sketching designs and actually sewed my first original piece, a pair of jeans. That was the beginning of Catou.

Edgy and elegant, flirty and sophisti-cated, Catou clothing makes a state-

ment. Drawing from travel experiences as well as my studies in college and at the Fashion Institute of Technology in New York, I design with a creativity that extends beyond conventional fashion to offer an unique look.

“do what you love and do it well, everything else will fall

into place.”

Fashion for me goes far beyond expressing myself; it’s about me

being able to see my reflection in something other than a mirror.

If the rhythmic sound of my sewing machine isn't drowning out my humming, I’m probably

painting a canvas that allows my mom to reminisce about our

beloved country of Ghana.

Jacqueline Addision

Corianna and Brianna, also known as Coco and Breezy, are the founders of a cutting edge sunglass brand based in New York City that aims to reach new fashion heights and introduce fashion connoisseurs all over the world to their unique sense of style and original accessories. Coco and Breezy designed the brand based on their own passion for making avante garde fashion and accessories available to all retail consumers.

Starting from humble beginnings twin sisters Coco and Breezy grew up best friends in the suburbs Apple Valley , Minnesota. Their work ethic and fashion ambition started as teens – juggling school commitments, working three jobs whilst still managing to find the time to create artistic projects for themselves, including their highly sought after sunglasses.

Bridgette is a highly passionate and talented stylist. She's a licensed cosmetologist of 22 years she has 33 years background of women apparel design with 20+ years experience in interior styling.

Under the close supervision of her mother, a master seamstress of apparel manufacturing, Bridgette learned to sew and design at a very young age. Her love of fashion willed her to design and make many of her friends, prom dresses and most of what she wore in high school. She says sewing is therapeutic and she has plans to start a sewing class soon.

It’s no secret that Hispanics are a signifi-cant part of the U.S. population. That’s

why Target is rolling out Ambar, a new apparel collection designed with the Latina

guests in mind. So what sets Ámbar apart from other women’s apparel? A combination of

great style and fit. The collection features vibrant colors, bold patterns, and figure-flattering silhou-

ettes and fabrics. Guests will find a mix of dresses, tops and bottoms. Check out the collection at Target.com.

Thank you to all the designers and to our wonderful sponsors!