iOne Digital Creative Class

Fashion and beauty are some of the most creative fields around, but rarely do we recognize the women behind the looks we love on runways, websites, and the 'gram. Here we salute five Black women whose creative expression in these areas inspires us all in our 2020 Create Class.

If you’ve seen thephrase “Ghetto Until proven fashionable”, you probably nod emphatically in agreement, screenshot it for later use, and let out a guttural sound of agreement as you think about all of the things that were normal fashion and beauty practices in your families growing up that are now on runways and glossy fashion magazines decades later. Good. That’s exactly what Naresha Willis, owner and designer of AVNU had in mind.

Somewhat of a pioneer in the space, Essie Michelle learned how to attract an audience that didn’t exist and how to identify and create content that resonated with them, both skills that were about to become handy in not only her influencer life, but her corporate life as well.

Brandee Evans was born to play Mercedes, the veteran stripper at The Pynk in Starz’s newest hit series, P-Valley.

Ms. Kit SoVain entered the entertainment industry similarly to the way she moves through life; deliberately and with charm. When she was chosen for the role of Brand Ambassador for Harlem's newest premiere tattoo shop, Black Ink 125th, VH1 knew they had a winning season on their hands with their newest addition.

When the fashion world was panicking, trying to decide if they should risk lives and continue to have fashion shows, or risk a loss in momentum, Anifa Mvuemba was planning. Her clothing line, Hanifa, was almost ten years old and never had a fashion show. She spent the past few months learning 3D technology and working on a new collection yet to be released, Pink Congo Label. Why not combine the two and give a debut for the ages?