For Miami native Katiuscia Gregoire, her Parsons School of Design BFA presentation titled “Hood Dandy” was a statement on perspective. Cognizant of the often one-sided negative media representations of black men, the womenswear designer decided to create a collection that revealed another side of the story.
“I realized that if I looked at how patriarchy and misogyny affected women, I needed to also look at men and how their portrayal as menacing contrasted with my personal positive experiences with peers, and circle of friends,” said Gregoire in a phone interview with Snobette.
The collection also spoke to her own Miami roots, through call outs of the City’s colorful art-deco architecture, along with recollection of her own mother’s impeccable style.
“Perception can shape reality and when I started to analyze the images I see of black men, I wanted to create something different, inclusive of women, modern and highlighting strength and creativity in style often overlooked or uncredited. I wanted to address the inner city stereotypes of the hood, but also the idea of dressing to impress, looking fresh or fly no matter what your social or economic circumstances are. I chose to contrast the baggy ’90s hip-hop silhouettes with the sleek sexiness of the ’70s and that is where “Hood Dandy” came from.”
A bold amalgam of handmade knitwear, laser etched fabrics, accessorized with belts and footwear the unisex collection exudes freshness.
Check out Gregoire’s graduate collection below a lookbook shot by Stevens Añasco, featuring models Akinkunmi Iman and Majestic Ross.
Keep an eye on Gregoire on @katiusciaa.
