(DALLAS, July 2020; source: CultureHype) – Haitian-American designer Venny Etienne created THE look from Beyoncé’s new visual album “Black Is King”. “Black Is King,” which is inspired by “The Lion King,” is directed and executive produced by Beyoncé and will be available to stream globally on Disney Plus. In the film released on July 31, 2020 at 12 a.m. EST, Beyoncé can be seen wearing a custom broad-shouldered, floral femme power jacket created by the designer. The floral jacket matches the impactful artistry of her new film, and in-turn was able to shine a spotlight on an emerging African American fashion designer. Ultimately, furthering her portrayal of power in uplifting and outsourcing powerful pieces beyond the spectrum of the big brands dominating the fashion sphere.
Etienne’s one of a kind pieces grabbed the attention of Beyoncé more than once and were even included in her Directory of Black Owned Businesses. This directory, created and curated by Zerina Akers with Black Owned Everything, is a part of Beyoncé’s initiative called “Black Parade” which benefits BeyGOOD’s Black Business Impact Fund, administered by the NAACP, to support Black-owned small businesses in need.
ABOUT THE DESIGNER – VENNY ETIENNE:
Venny Etienne, has been creating top fashion pieces for years under his line LEVENITY – a women’s luxe sportswear brand. Fans of Bravo’s “Project Runway” may recognize the young designer from the recently aired Season 17 where he made it into the Top 7. Etienne’s LEVENTITY pieces have also been worn by some of today’s trendiest celebs, such as Niecy Nash for BET TV’s Black Girls Rock 2019, Cardi B, Michelle Williams, and Fantasia just to name a few.
At the age of 20, Etienne became fully immersing himself in the fashion industry while styling for local fashion shows in his hometown of Brooklyn, NY. Etienne attended the Fashion Institute of Technology in New York, and later transferred to Wade College in Dallas, TX. He graduated Salutatorian of his class, receiving a B.A. in Merchandising and Design. However, he credits most of his initial creative expertise to Milan-based designer and pattern-maker Shingo Sato.
Over the years, Etienne has received numerous accolades for his contributions to the fashion industry. This includes the ‘Fashion Designer of the Year’ Award at the 2018 FGI (Fashion Group International) of Dallas, the 2016 ‘National RAW Artist Designer of the Year’ (which funded his debut LEVENTITY collection #001 and showcase at LA Style Fashion Week), the 2016 Dallas ‘FGI Best of Sewing Award,’ and the ‘Paris American Academy Couture Award.’ Winning the Parisian award gave Etienne the opportunity to study abroad in Paris on an all-expense paid scholarship and allowed him to learn advanced couture techniques as well as design conceptualization from some of haute couture’s leading industry experts. With his many accolades, it’s no surprise that Heidi Luerra tapped Etienne to be featured in her best-selling book about successful entrepreneurs, entitled “The Work of Art: A No-Nonsense Field Guide for Creative Entrepreneurs.”
Etienne debuted his latest collection #003 at New York Fashion Week, sponsored by Essence Magazine, earlier this year and is currently available on the LEVENITY website. The new collection was inspired by the women who raised him as well as his Haitian culture. While currently residing in Dallas, Etienne shifted gears at the start of the pandemic to produce face masks and donated over 900 masks to first responders and those in need. He additionally works as an accountant by day crunching numbers to sustain his passion for fashion. While the LEVENITY brand is still recognizably part of American sportswear, its always sophisticated worldly twist is what makes it extremely special.
ABOUT THE BRAND – LEVENITY:
LEVENITY Collection LLC is an advanced-contemporary sportswear brand which launched in Dallas, TX. Part of a new generation of young emerging fashion brands, LEVENITY’s distinctive propensity is to gracefully bring together seemingly opposed elements through tailored architectural lines and sophisticated bold silhouettes.
The brand features jackets, coats, dresses, tops, skirts and trousers made only with the finest of materials. Our mission is to promote a lifestyle brand through our line of apparel that redefines American sportswear, by creating exquisitely made garments which invites our clients to take part in our vision of luxury. We achieve this by injecting a blend of various distinct influences with dynamic ingenuity, sophistication and technique.
SOCIAL MEDIA:
LEVENITY Custom Jacket for Beyoncé. Photo credit to Wade College alum Venny Etienne
LEVENITY Custom Jacket for Beyoncé
LEVENITY NYFW Essence – The Nikon Icon
LEVENITY NYFW Essence – The Nikon Icon
