New York-based Jahnkoy designer Maria Kazakova celebrated the roll out of her label at Bergdorf Goodman’s Men’s Store during New York Fashion Week Menswear with a performance-filled party sponsored in part by Puma, with whom the label has been partnering since its inception.
Highlighting the label’s deft mash up of sport flair and tribal detailing with a collection titled “The Messenjah,” the event included performances by Maliaan kora musician Yacouba Sissoko accompanied by dancers who performed wearing pieces from the collection.
Kazakova began making waves as a designer with her 2016 graduate presentation for Parsons School of Design, which included items made in collaboration with Puma. The collection was widely praised, leading to a LVMH Prize nomination with the label making the final round of eight labels.
Speaking to the her identity as a Siberian-born, white woman creating designs inspired in part by traditional African design, the designer told the NY Times, “These are the people who surround me. They come from different backgrounds. We create something based off all of our different knowledge.”
She added, “Sportswear is the clothing that is worn everywhere. I come from Siberia. I grew up around tracksuits. This is what people wear on the streets normally, same as here.”
The Jahnkoy collection is available at Bergdorf Goodman’s men’s store on the third floor.
Images via Bergdorf Goodman and WWD photographer Rodin Banica.
