Getting to cover a showroom during New York Fashion Week feels like a small gift you’ve been given. Instead of the beautiful hubbub and constant lines, you’ll be in for at the runway shows, a showroom is a smaller event often held just for buyers. However, Fashion On The Beat was lucky enough to secure a press pass to tour The Folklore’s showroom and meet with the female designers for both the apparel and accessories showcased.

The Folklore Showroom, nestled in Soho, promoted the idea of slow fashion. The female-led brands that were featured took control of their production process to make sure that every step of the way was good for the environment as well as the people who work for them. All the brands had reached incredible milestones. From a jewelry designer who figured out how to mix gold with a (top secret) alloy to make chocolate gold to a fashion designer who is getting picked up by Anthropologie, the creators at this showroom were the best of the best.

A A K S

Made in Ghana, A A K S creates sustainable raffia handbags using eye-popping colors that easily draw one in. Each of the bags is created by hand using traditional weaving techniques of the Ghanaian people to show the rich culture and creativity of the country. Since each purse is handcrafted, no two will be the same. This is slow fashion at its core.

CheeLee Designs

Jewelry is an intimate affair. Cheena Mitchell, the jewelry designer behind the brand, understands the intimacy that goes into finding a new favorite piece of jewelry. Due to this, she works to make each piece not only a stunning, but functional, work of art. Playing with geometric designs and using her North African Heritage as an inspirational base, Chee Lee Designs stands out as one of the most artistic up-and-coming jewelry design companies…and that’s not even including the part where she played chemist and created chocolate gold!

Edas

Being basic? Well, that’s boring. Edas is a brand that squashes boredom by creating handbags that aren’t for just anyone. While we were sadly unable to meet with Sade, the lead designer, the creativity of the bags spoke for themselves. From the soft leather and simplistic details, the handbags immediately give themselves away as a staple everyone should have in their closet.

Check out the website to find out which purse speaks to you. Or purses, because quite frankly, every single one stands out as a beautiful and necessary piece.

Israella Kobla

Israella Kobla is an apparel company created by Emefa Kuadey, a former architect. You can easily see this educational history in the designs of the clothes. Each garment is created to be easily worn without a bra, something that makes any garment infinitely better. The concept of the collection within The Folklore showroom is to have a pop of color sitting amongst the neutrals. This season’s color? A vibrant and highly saturated green that pairs deliciously with the navy, black, and white garments within the collection.

Kadiju

Bringing maximalism to NYC is Kadiju. Based in Lagos, the ruffled pieces and structured shirts tell a story of classic elegance. Run by women, for women, the brand incorporates sustainability through their design and production process. The bright colors, striking designs, and this slow fashion thought process are what make the brand stand out from other apparel companies in the industry.

Orire

Coming from Lagos, Nigeria, Oríré is as artistic as it is feminine. Focusing on more minimalistic details, it was hard to not fall in love with each of the pieces. Most of the garments are made-to-order or created in small batches to reduce the environmental harm that can occur in the production process. By using sustainable fabric in the design process, many of the garments have small details that set them apart from anything else. The garments made from tie-dye denim with ruching details are items that instantly pop into my mind when thinking of this brand.

Rendoll

The first thing that drew me into the Rendoll area of the showroom was the fleeced satin fabric on the dresses. It’s a stunning detail done during the production process that many brands choose to not incorporate into their designs. While it’s understandable for some, the end result is stunning within Rendoll’s collection. Morenikeji Abina, the founder of Rendoll, understands this and works to add many unique elements to the designs of the garments. With a focus on femininity, unique details, and ethical production, Rendoll captivates those who are looking for sustainable luxury.

RP New York

Everything made by RP New York is created ethically by the top artisans in India. From the delicate beadwork to the elaborate embroidery, the garments undergo thousands of hours of labor before reaching their forever home with a loving fashionista. Taking small bits of inspiration from around the world to create these one-of-a-kind pieces, there is no doubt that each item is a labor of love.

Shekudo

Playful accessories are what will take any outfit to the next level. Shekudo’s accessories combine delicate craftsmanship and geometric designs to give that pizazz to anything you wear. Focusing on jewelry, shoes, and handbags, Shekudo is a brand that’s easy to fall for. Now partnered with ShopBop, Zalando, and Nordstrom it’s full steam ahead for this brand’s creative genius, Akudo Iheakanwa!

Tejahn Burnette

When I say that the shoes Tejahn Burnette creates are fit for a princess– I mean it. Different from the other shoes in the showroom, these were like these sculptural shoes. Augmented with silk and different details, they felt like a breath of fresh air to the shoe world. Reminiscent of Manolo Blahnik, there is nothing to not love about these creative works of art. And these shoes? Well, they are just that; art.

Selfi

Playing with knit details and structural designs, Selfi’s “Spirit Body” collection in The Folklore showroom is filled with rich jewel tones and heavenly neutrals. Based out of Cape Town, South Africa, the brand was launched by Celeste Lee after she graduated from Cape University of Technology. This is a background that shines through with the structural element of her designs. With a focus on self-empowerment, well-being, and sustainability, the line is unique, playful, and fun.

The Lulo Project

Resort wear can either be laid back or completely glammed up. The Lulo Project strikes the point right in between and that is what sets it apart. Creating luxurious and comfortable garments in beautiful colors there is nothing to not love about this brand. Inspired by the popular Lulo fruit in Columbia, the brand brings home and vacation together in the most delicate and stunning way. The lightweight materials play into the garments to add volume to the delicate looks.

V. Bellan

Using gold and pearls to create simplistic luxury jewelry, V. Bellan popped off in the designs that were at the Folklore Showroom. The sustainable, creative, and almost architectural designs of the company have been at both Nordstroms and Bergdorfs, as well as written about in Forbes. The best part about the jewelry is that while everything is high quality, the price truly won’t cause too much pain.

Wisdom

When you turn to look in the mirror next and question what is missing in your outfit, consider Wisdom’s glasses. A sunglass brand that features boldly colored frames in chunky shapes, the brand can be hard not to love. Now partnered with Revolve—and hopefully a few more brands after the Folklore showroom—these will soon be the glasses of the new year.