A Summer Seasonal Edit
NEW YORK, United States — As all signs point towards a summer with clear skies and somewhat bearable temperatures, PROTOChic is back (in baby steps) with yet another seasonal edit of the very best of fashion, beauty, and culture from the diaspora and beyond.
Amidst a topsy-turvy ecosystem marked by shifting consumer demand and tariff-shocked supply chains, championing independent brands building thoughtful momentum remains core to our editorial practice. Our summer edit includes its fair share of gingham sundresses perfect for seaside and city jaunts, art-inflected wedding options, playful baubles inspired by nature, and chic accessories to combat the rays. Take a look!
sun forward
Eight years in, we would be remiss not to spotlight ultra-tasteful label Abiola Olusola — discover its origins in our 2017 interview with Abiola Adeniran-Olusola, founder and creative director. The best-selling cotton Demi Bou Bou in bold gingham prints is an easy pick, perfect for any trip and sure to keep comfort and chic in equal measure.
a jeweler’s delight
Nature reigns supreme with these 14-karat gold, pearl, and rose quartz earrings from fine jeweler Mateo. Far from your grandmother’s set, these handcrafted organic baroque pearls bridge classicism and abstraction from ear to ear. Subtle artistry and summertime spritz — need we say more?
aRT PRINTS
Warmer climes inspire daring color theory (see Abiola Olusola above), but this time, designed by Jamaican-British designer Grace Wales Bonner in the all-over poppy variety, leveraging reproduced prints by late textile artist Althea McNish. Consider her lightweight slip dress for farewell drinks or the cotton sateen cap-sleeve version with a petite hat for an indoor service as summer-appropriate wedding guest options.
SHADes for days
Kimeze dropped an oversized, geometric silhouette in Concept 3 in a dark grey crystal that is giving just enough intrigue and not an ounce of approachability, just how we like our sunglasses. Designed in London and produced in Italian Mazzucchelli Acetate, these shades are the ultimate accomplice to the start of summer dressing.
Photos courtesy Abiola Olusola, Mateo, Wales Bonner, and Kimeze.