The Folklore’s Black-Owned Brands Land a New Major Platform

The writer-turned-entrepreneur has felt the financial repercussions of the pandemic, just as the majority of retailers have with dropping sales numbers, but she has also seen record-breaking growth — specifically on Blackout Tuesday, which amassed profits higher than her brand has ever seen before. She even managed to get herself involved in a very public controversy after Taylor Swift released Folklore merch, featuring iconography that appeared a little too similar to Rasool's. (In response, Swift apologized and changed the logo, so all was eventually amended.)

Now, in the final quarter of 2020, Rasool has partnered with luxury e-commerce website Farfetch, where The Folklore will introduce new brands with original photo and video content each season. The brand's initial Fall 2020 line-up includes 10 designers: Nigeria-based brands Andrea Iyamah, Clan, Fruché, Lisa Folawiyo, Onalaja, Orange Culture and Tokyo James, along with New York-based brands Willian Okbo, EDAS and Third Crown.

In tandem with the partnership's announcement, Rasool selected stand-out looks from each designer to feature in one all-encompassing editorial — shot by Nigerian photographer Stephen Tayo in Lagos, Nigeria. The imagery, and the corresponding short fashion film, were produced to showcase the natural beauty of Lagos, one of Africa's most esteemed fashion hubs, and to honor the several Nigerian brands that dominate the first release.

As for the designs themselves, each brand's signature aesthetic becomes instantly identifiable with one scroll through the catalog. Between Andrea Iyamah's Savana evening dress and Onalaja's abstract-printed sheer top, the women's silhouettes beam forward-minded opulence. On the men's side, Orange Culture's metallic Tola top and Tokyo James' leather-look long-sleeve shirt speak to the trend-setting nature of Nigerian designers.

Shop The Folklore's 10 featured brands on Farfetch here.

Photos courtesy of Farfetch/ Stephen Tayo