Image Branding For Plus Size People

The Vogue Collections Atlanta: Showcasing African American Style

Posted on 04. Jun, 2009 by Nikki C.

Strike a pose, Atlanta. Couture has crept into the southwest side of the city in the form of The Vogue Collections; America’s first Black-owned luxury department store featuring only top African-American designers. Co-creator Dwight Eubanks, stylist to Nene Leakes of “The Real Housewives of Atlanta”, says that the decision to do a store of this magnitude was easy. “Let’s do something spectacular in Atlanta and do a luxury department store. I travel all over the world and I said let’s get some designers and models together.”

Nestled in the Greenbriar Mall, The Vogue Collection, which is not set to officially open its doors until the fall, recently introduced itself to the community with a fabulous trunk show. Complete with hor’derves and a fashion show every thirty minutes, designers that will be featured in the store got the chance to strut their eclectic designs down the runway. “Over eighty designers have come in and showed their clothes, trying to get a spot in the store. Most of the communities around this area are African American and it’s great for them to put a store like this in the neighborhood, so everyone can benefit. I’m sure they’ll be more than happy to give back to the community,” says Crystal Owens, a Bold Elite model. Both partners have been traveling the world searching for designers and collections to showcase. “Diversity is what we’re looking for and we’ve found some amazing stuff. Some of the details we’ve seen could be shown at Saks Fifth Avenue, Neiman Marcus and any of your other top department stores. We’re giving you a luxury feel with modern price points,” Eubanks boasts.

The Vogue Collection will house fashions of every type including urban wear, conservative, evening attire, and chic, trendy styles. Unlike most mainstream department stores, The Vogue Collection will also highlight international ethnic styles with the fusion of Caribbean, African and Parisian designers. Designer, Blaine Degannes, native of North Carolina, wowed audiences with his unexpected soft, illuminating collection, Rain Anthology. “I think that everybody loves color and that’s what Rain Anthology is all about. The 80s are coming back and color is really big. All of my styles are about being elegant, sleek and edgy at the same time, along with being conservative. I think my designs will be received really well.”

Most Atlantans consider Buckhead to be the epicenter of great shopping, but The Vogue Collection will give more residents a taste of those same luxuries in a convenient location. The department store will employ attendants to walk around with trays, bottled water and hor’derves, along with doormen wearing white gloves and top hats. “We no longer have to travel to the North side for entertainment and for fashion and beauty, it’s right here. At this particular mall, back in the seventies, this was the number one mall. You had a lot of top stores here and we’ve come full circle. In fact, this was my first job here in this mall, at Russell Stover. I ate more candy than I sold,” Eubanks laughs. “It won’t just be fashion; we’re doing makeup and skincare as well. We’re also doing a private label that will also be named The Vogue Collection.”

An internet and cafe bar are some of the other amenities The Vogue Collection will offer shoppers. Eubanks wants to offer the community a chance to contribute to the store with their homemade baked goods. “My inspiration was inspired by Richards department store which was bought by Macy’s. Back in those days they used to have a cart that was called a bakery and they had amazing cakes, pies, cookies and breads. That’s what we’re doing here, but also we’re looking for your mothers, grandmothers and aunts who can really make some good banana pudding and some good red velvet cake to bring to this market and sell.” The space will also transform itself into an event facility on Fridays, Saturdays and Sundays

Fashionistas of all walks of life are invited to take part in the unprecedented arrival of what’s sure to become a cultural gem.