When the world was shut down, Black creatives were the driving force that kept us all seeing color when things felt bleak. From at-home concerts to creative ideas infiltrating every inch of social media, most of our sanity was kept from our people seeing an opportunity to level the playing field. With the gatekeepers no longer truly being able to pull strings in the way they always have, we started to see Black artists ascend to new heights through sheer imagination and the never-ending creativity we possess. One of those special talents was fashion designer and innovator, Anifa Mvuemba, whose Hanifa brand disrupted the industry via an unprecedented runway show that featured inclusive body shapes—sans models. And it wasn’t just smoke and mirrors as Hanifa’s collection sold out in mere minutes and the rave reviews about her brand’s quality, message and clothes that celebrate every curve of women of the diaspora have yet to stop.
We weren’t the only people paying attention.
In keeping with the company’s commitment to embracing diversity and giving kids of all ethnicities something to look up to, Mattel has honored Anifa with her own Barbie collection, in collaboration with Harlem’s Fashion Row, completely decked out in head to toe Hanifa. The historic honor is not one that has been given to many designers and definitely not to a Black woman who wasn’t also in entertainment. Huge! The D.C. native took to her social media account to celebrate the moment saying, “I’m so happy to announce this incredible collaboration with @barbiestyle x @harlemsfashionrow. Meet my mini-me, rocking our ‘Brooklynn’ patent leather coat from @officialhanifa’s Fall/Winter 21’ runway collection. Since I was a child, Barbie remained one of my favorites. I had the perfect little dream house with the elevator to match, I couldn’t get enough! This is truly a dream come true and a huge win for Black girls who continue to dream and believe in themselves above all else! — Love, Anifa”
Ugh, something about those Black girl wins that just touches our heart. If you’re looking for a new brand to shop with and a way to continue to Buy Black, Hanifa features designs that can be worn by every body. Bright colors, opulent feathers, incredible structure and a keen eye for details, Anifa is truly gifted and her pieces are wearable art.