Issa Rae’s travel-inspired fashion show with Delta Air Lines

We may know Issa Rae as an actress, writer and comedian, namely for her role in Unreliable And Revengeor to direct her latest HBO Max series; Rap Sh!t.

Now, she’s a fashion curator of sorts, having created a runway show for Los Angeles Fashion Week envisioned by N4XT Experiences.

Ray chose six indie fashion companies to showcase fashion for the modern jet setter—from shoe brands to swimwear. She presented them last night in an airport hangar with Delta in Hawthorne, California.

“My collaboration with Delta Station’s Runway campaign is about more than showcasing travel-focused collections from these six unique creative designers,” said Issa Ra.

“Each is to elevate their story, believing that there is comfort in human connection, strength in presence, and inspiration in the adventures we embark on.”

Last night she explained to the audience that she wants to bring these limited edition clothes and accessories to six businesses. “It’s a lot of fun spending time with them,” she told the audience. “Everything these designers make is inspired by travels around the world – from China to Ghana, New York City, to Miami. Let’s see what inspiration you can get from them.”

The brands include clothing brand Oyster, stylish Ember Niche Eyewear, as well as Ponto Shoes, swim brand Anna Mero Swimwear, accessory brand Cadence Toiletry Kits and Classic Six Capsule Wardrobes.

“This project has been a dream come true for us. We are excited to partner with Issa Ra, and we want to connect people with experience, and we believe in uplifting small businesses, so it was only natural to partner with Issa,” said Delta Brand Marketing Managing Director Emakate Yang. .

It is important for designers to think outside the box, especially for Anna Mero, head designer Anna Mero. “Designing for inclusion is very different from being inclusive,” Mero said. “In an expressive field like fashion, it’s so important to include everyone and empower them. We push that narrative and challenge the industry, so together we can make a difference.”

For Steph Hoon, founder of Cadence Toiletry Kit, the small containers she creates are customizable, leak-proof, and stylish. “It’s always good when you create something you want,” said the honorable minister.

“These are leakproof and have rounded edges, so they’re easy to clean. They are perfect for people like me, who travel with a lot of lotions but still want to carry small portions without compromising their daily routine.

For Ponto Shoes, they’re chasing the next wave of “work-leisure” footwear. “We need things that fit our lifestyle and that we use less of,” says Aaron Rubitchek, founder of Ponto Footwear.

This sustainable shoe brand “dress sneakers” use completely natural sugarcane foam in their shoes (and they are very light weight). “Gender is balanced and helps us live more with less.”

“It was a once-in-a-lifetime opportunity to work with Issa Ra for this Delta runway show,” Rubitchek said. “Everything Isa Ra does is not about what’s normal in the industry, it’s about rejecting the status quo,” he said. That’s what we’re trying to do in the world of fashion and footwear. Delta was the bridge between these two things.

How about creating flat shoes for female flight attendants? It’s 2022, after all. “We have a lot of ideas,” Rubitchek said. “We make footwear the same way we make workwear, and we’ve created a shoe that’s extremely useful. We are looking to agree with Delta to be their preferred uniform. The possibilities are endless.