After I inform you that it was completely kismet that Robyn Rihanna Fenty, The First of Her Title, Queen of the Bops, Protector of My Edges, Muva of Being Unapologetically Black, and the Khalessi of Barbados and Past, revealed her child bump on nationwide tv throughout Tremendous Bowl LVII the SAME DAY that I, Phoebe Lynn Robinson, hid my child bump in Ulla Johnson’s trendy but snug black Polline gown on the designer’s New York Style Week present, I’m not exaggerating.
Okay, effective! Rihanna is carrying a rising human within her. In the meantime, I used to be carrying a meals child comprised of an overpriced, carb-heavy breakfast that left me gassy and most probably (1,000 % positively) had me crop-dusting the style elite as I used to be leaving Hudson Yards with principally my reparations throughout Black Historical past Month. So, thanks, Martin Luther King Jr., for all you will have performed. It was price it! ANYWAY, the purpose is, Rihanna and I are virtually the identical. Let me have this! what else I need to have? Actually one among all the things made by the eponymous shero designer of the day: Ulla Johnson.
Ulla Johnson at her fall/winter 2023 present.
First, let’s set the scene. Whereas it’s not my first time sitting entrance row at a style present, it was my first time sitting entrance row the place nothing felt labored. Possibly that had one thing to do with the venue, The Spiral, however I feel it’s simply that Johnson embodies the phrase “like attracts like.” The cool was easy. The distinctive female power was palpable. Pleasure was within the air. As somebody who has worn Johnson’s garments loads through the years, I’m well-versed in the truth that her designs are celebratory. She may give us an aspirational but grounded blueprint of what a lady might be: stylish and attention-grabbing, with a type of self-assuredness that may solely come when the arrogance is inside and radiates out. To be immersed in that ambiance on a buzzy Sunday morning is a superb feeling. To be sitting close to Katie Holmes, Lily Allen, and Karla Welch—a triptych of delightfulness—was a deal with. However one of the best half was Johnson’s phenomenal present.
Satin tulip skirts.
Everyone knows her penchant for a scrumptious sample or an expertly executed puff sleeve, so I like how Johnson honored her signatures whereas displaying her vary. We knew we had been in for one thing particular when Black Belt Eagle Scout emerged as regal badasses and set the tone of the present with highly effective rock music. There was a gradual stream of unbelievable separates (the satin tulip skirts with tastefully performed slits are a private favourite), billowing full-length attire, crochet knit slips, and must-have suede fringe kitten heel slingbacks. Vibrant colours popped up in items such because the emerald one-shoulder brocade gown or the marigold pleated satin skirt. Nicely-defined waists in belted jackets and playful full-length puffer coats had been nice touches.
Regardless of the outfit, Johnson made positive there was loads of visible intrigue with out being overwhelming. Are you gonna get a ruffled button shirt? Um, duh! Will you be served a full lewk of combined prints and patterns? Hell yeah, so eat it up! Are there additionally going to be fashions in an array of pores and skin tone and sizes? Hallelujah! And I wasn’t the one one loving it. Once more, the parents on the present had been cool, so it was much less, “Yas queen!” and extra sassy smirks that translate to “Ulla Johnson is about to get all my cash.” And he or she deserves it! The garments are made with love and the present was filled with it.
A mannequin walks the runway.
Actually, I didn’t need the present to be over. It was so great to be within the presence of such artistry. However alas, like all great issues, it needed to come to an finish. And once I stood upon the richly patterned carpet and soaked in my last moments of what I had simply witnessed, I placed on Johnson’s Adira shearling coat, and Katie Holmes sweetly requested, “Excuse me, is that this your telephone?” realizing there are fewer scary modern-day technological nightmares than dropping one’s telephone out within the concrete jungle. Holmes had my Ulla Johnson-covered again. I can’t consider a greater entrance row expertise.
Actor-comedian-producer Phoebe Robinson is finest often known as the co-creator and co-star of the HBO restricted sequence 2 Dope Queens. She’s additionally a New York Instances best-selling creator of the books You Can’t Contact My Hair and Different Issues I Nonetheless Need to Clarify and Every part’s Trash, However It is Okay. Phoebe has starred within the motion pictures Ibiza and What Males Need, and was moderator on Michelle Obama’s worldwide Changing into guide tour. Most lately, Phoebe launched Tiny Reparations, a manufacturing firm underneath ABC Signature, whose first venture was a chat present entitled Doing the Most with Phoebe Robinson that premiered April 2021on Comedy Central. Her first one-hour arise particular will premiere in Fall 2021 on HBO Max. Her subsequent guide, Please Do not Sit On My Mattress In Your Outdoors Garments, would be the first essay assortment debuting on her newly fashioned literary imprint, Tiny Reparations Books, on Sept. 28, 2021.