The Folklore Connect's NYFW Showroom: Celebrating 5 Years of Catalytic Partnerships

“I’m here tonight because I genuinely adore everything that Folklore stands for and more. I stock some of the designers they represent in my boutique and I even wear them personally. Representation really matters to me. It’s not often you find a platform showcasing diverse African designers like this, and it lets people globally access these unique pieces. I utilize their app and website for my shop’s collection. Now being here at this event, it’s just amazing to reflect on the positive impact it’s had on my business, especially being based in Seattle where there isn’t a huge community of people of color, particularly in retail. Folklore allows me to introduce people in Seattle to these beautiful and diverse pieces, especially the vibrant prints and cultures they represent.” – Frilancy Hoyle, Owner, Rabecca Onassis Boutique

“As a designer, you can sometimes get caught up in following market trends. The panel reiterated that I’m on the right track. I’m listening to my own voice, not external perspectives or consumerism. I’m making the rules.” – Sade Mims, Founder & Designer, Edas 

“For a brand like ours, stepping into wholesaling kinda adds to our credibility, you know? It sort of makes our operation feel a bit more legit. It also sparks a bit of fire in us, because now, instead of just doing things when we feel like it, we’ve gotta sync up with another organization’s schedule, right? So, it’s all about finding that sweet spot where both of us can win and do well together.” – Mike Tombashe, Founder, CEO & Designer, POOR DAD

“Here’s what I’d tell my 2019 self: be patient, go slow, and be strategic. When we first kicked off in 2019, our approach was, “You order one, we make one.” But we’ve since moved away from that on-demand production approach. We’ve shifted to creating small batches and only replenish when a good portion has been sold. It’s about balancing our core values while finding a more scalable way to operate. That, I’d say, is the key shift — adopting a more strategic stance on scaling.” – Emefa Kuadey, Founder & Creative Director, Israella Kobla

“I came here with Jacques Agbobly, an emerging designer I’m fortunate enough to assist with in terms of brand production. Listening to the panel and hearing from the buyers, particularly the representative from Bergdorf discussing their approach to collaborating with emerging brands, has been really enlightening. It’s given me a clearer picture of what is expected and what we need to bring to the table to successfully launch this brand with a wholesale partner.” – Daniel Wiley, Consultant, Jacques Agbobly