After I inform you that it was completely kismet that Robyn Rihanna Fenty, The First of Her Identify, 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 costume on the designer’s New York Vogue Week present, I am not exaggerating.
OK, 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 almost definitely (1,000 % undoubtedly) had me crop-dusting the style elite as I used to be leaving Hudson Yards with mainly my reparations throughout Black Historical past Month. So, thanks, Martin Luther King Jr., for all you might have performed. It was value it! ANYWAY, the purpose is, Rihanna and I are virtually the identical. Let me have this! You already know what else I wish to have? Actually one among every part made by the eponymous shero designer of the day: Ulla Johnson.
Ulla Johnson at her fall/winter 2023 present.
JP Yim//Getty Photographs
First, let’s set the scene. Whereas it isn’t 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 believe it is simply that Johnson embodies the phrase “like attracts like.” The cool was easy. The distinctive female vitality was palpable. Pleasure was within the air. As somebody who has worn Johnson’s garments loads over time, I am well-versed in the truth that her designs are celebratory. She may give us an aspirational but grounded blueprint of what a lady could be: stylish and attention-grabbing, with a form of self-assuredness that may solely come when the boldness is inside and radiates out. To be immersed in that environment 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 the perfect half was Johnson’s phenomenal present.
Satin tulip skirts.
Filippo Fior
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 have 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 gentle stream of incredible 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 costume or the marigold pleated satin skirt. Effectively-defined waists in belted jackets and playful full-length puffer coats have been nice touches.
Irrespective of the outfit, Johnson made certain 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 have 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 she or he deserves it! The garments are made with love and the present was stuffed with it.
A mannequin walks the runway.
Filippo Fior
Truthfully, I did not need the present to be over. It was so fantastic to be within the presence of such artistry. However alas, like all fantastic 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 cellphone?” figuring out there are fewer scary modern-day technological nightmares than dropping one’s cellphone out within the concrete jungle. Holmes had my Ulla Johnson coated again. I can not consider a greater entrance row expertise.
Actor-comedian-producer Phoebe Robinson is greatest referred to as the co-creator and co-star of the HBO restricted sequence 2 Dope Queens. She’s additionally a New York Instances best-selling writer of the books You Cannot Contact My Hair and Different Issues I Nonetheless Need to Clarify and Every thing’s Trash, However It is Okay. Phoebe has starred within the films Ibiza and What Males Need, and was moderator on Michelle Obama’s worldwide Changing into ebook tour. Most lately, Phoebe launched Tiny Reparations, a manufacturing firm below ABC Signature, whose first challenge was a chat present entitled Doing the Most with Phoebe Robinson that premiered April 2021 on Comedy Central. Her first one-hour get up particular will premiere in Fall 2021 on HBO Max. Her subsequent ebook, Please Do not Sit On My Mattress In Your Exterior Garments, would be the first essay assortment debuting on her newly fashioned literary imprint, Tiny Reparations Books, on Sept. 28, 2021.
