2022 Year In Review
Photography courtesy of Freddie L. Rankin II / @flrsglobal
Photography courtesy of Freddie L. Rankin II / @flrsglobal
NEW YORK, United States — 2022 has been a year to say the least. The past twelve months proceeded in a rather laborious manner, marked by a series of societal impasses that have no doubt left people in a state of fatigue or worse yet apathy. Corporate malfeasance, technological decline, languishing leadership, amid an ongoing pandemic recovery across the globe, a myopic focus on the mundane, and potential impending recession, shall we continue? 2022 offered the patina of “return” for that which was “lost” (even if entirely surface-level) while people still are trying to figure out if the impact was positive or negative. On the fashion front, things were decidedly mid, particularly in response to the seismic and subtle changes afoot. Despite disappointments, and certainly not an exhaustive list, a few stories stood out from the year that was.
With a new appointment at Ferragamo, optimism abounds for newcomer Maximilian Davis to jolt the fashion calendar with much needed exuberance and inspiration. Ib Kamara debuts an inaugural show at Off-White as Art & Image Director. Rumor mills buzz for whether Grace Wales Bonner, Martine Rose, or Telfar will take the reins as Creative Director, Men’s at Louis Vuitton. One year under his stylish belt at GQ France for Pam Boy (aka Pierre A. M’Pelé) as Head of Editorial Content. Loza Maleombho released a fine jewelry collection with Ivorian brand NAKA. Travis Obeng-Casper’s Accra-based label AJABENG makes strides. Aurora James, the force behind Brother Vellies & Fifteen Percent Pledge, collects the prestigious Glamour Women of the Year Award. Lisa Folawiyo renews US distribution via McMullen, Oakland, California concept store celebrating a milestone 15th year anniversary. Christopher John Rogers adorns furniture with his prints. Sustained curiosity about t.a. and Post-Imperial reveals ‘Circle Within a Circle, Square Within a Square.’ Hanifa’s consistent approach wins out against intellectual property uproar. Lionne debuts fashion line with a marriage proposal. Samuel Ross and A-COLD-WALL* release an archive sale. Telfar disrupts with a sold-out pop-up shop in Brooklyn. Edward Enninful, editor-in-chief of British Vogue, releases his memoir A Visible Man. Wales Bonner takes home ‘Best Independent Brand’ at the British Fashion Awards. Last, but not least, the creative community mourns the untimely passing of legendary editor Andre Leon Talley.
May 2023 be awash with opportunity.
Lead Image original photography by Freddie L. Rankin II