CHEMIN, a black-owned fragrance brand by Atlanta-Based perfumer, November Nichols, has teamed up with department store giant, JC Penney to launch an affordable luxury collection in stores both nationwide and online.

Black-owned fragrance brand comes to JC Penney

The collaboration, which launched today, offers an exquisite array of gender-neutral parfums and body products that celebrate your unique essence.

This includes the affordable luxury collection of signature fragrances, along with body butters, crystal-infused body oils, Vitamin E sugar scrubs, charcoal scrubs, and lotions.

ART Department PR

The only black women brand in the fragrance industry

With CHEMIN (launched in 2017), Nichols is one of the only black women/brands in the fragrance industry. To date, CHEMIN is the only black brand with their own fragrance house (in the entire world).

“I am very proud of our new partnership with JC Penney,” says Nichols.

“As an indie fragrance house founded, owned and operated by a black woman, this is obviously a huge deal — as this is the first time a major retailer has gotten behind a black owned fragrance brand in this way.”

Nichols also trains artisans, as many of them lack the education (not knowing the regulations, guidelines, rules and more in the fragrance industry).

Nichols made strides in that direction by creating activations where people can craft their own fragrance by consulting with master artisans and create scents inspired by themselves.

“Our demand for perfume is strong, but those who want to go from consumer to creator face a challenging path due to a lack of access to education (traditional perfumers typically study in France), capital and mentorship,” says Nichols.

The Fragrance industry

FRAGRANCES are a very lucrative industry that is expected to generate $61.79 billion in 2023 and upwards of $84.02 billion by 2028.

In 2018, 18% of African Americans were buying fragrances, but not entering the industry.

Nichols is looking to make a shift by helping minorities and women start their own fragrance brands.

“Although nearly 74 percent of all perfumers are white, I’m looking to change that.”

Rolling out CHEMIN

The rollout for CHEMIN will include 50 store locations across Arizona, California, Florida, Georgia, Illinois, Louisiana, Maryland, North Carolina, New Jersey, Nevada, New York, Texas, and Utah.

CHEMIN will be also be available for purchase online.

Connect with CHEMIN on Instagram and visit their website.

Virgil Abloh, the influential fashion designer who is the founder of Off-White and the Men’s Artistic Director of Louis Vuitton, has died, his Instagram account confirmed this afternoon. Abloh died from a rare aggressive cancer.

Virgil Abloh Passes Away

“We are devastated to announce the passing of our beloved Virgil Abloh, a fiercely devoted father, husband, son, brother, and friend,” the post reads. “He is survived by his loving wife Shannon Abloh, his children Lowe Abloh and Grey Abloh, his sister Edwina Abloh, his parents Nee and Eunice Abloh, and numerous dear friends and colleagues.

For over two years, Virgil courageously battled a rare, aggressive form of cancer, cardiac angiosarcoma.  He chose to fight his battle privately since his diagnosis in 2019, undergoing numerous challenging treatments, all while helming several significant institutions that span fashion, art, and culture.

Through it all, his work ethic, infinite curiosity, and optimism never wavered. Virgil was driven by his dedication to his craft and to his mission to open doors for others and create pathways for greater equality in art and design. He often said, “Everything I do is for the 17-year-old version of myself,” believing deeply in the power of art to inspire future generations.

We thank you all for your love and support, and we ask for privacy as we grieve and celebrate Virgil’s life.”

LVMH, Louis Vuitton and Off White are devastated to announce the passing of Virgil Abloh, on Sunday, November 28th, of cancer, which he had been battling privately for several years. pic.twitter.com/CytwZLvSFu

— LVMH (@LVMH) November 28, 2021

Fashion Career

Abloh was born in Rockford, IL to Ghanaian immigrant parents. He graduated from the University Of Wisconsin-Madison with a degree in civil engineering and received a master’s degree in architecture from the Illinois Institute Of Technology. While working at a print shop in Chicago, Abloh met Kanye West, and they ended up interning together at Fendi at the same time. Abloh would eventually become West’s creative director.

In 2013, Abloh launched his own fashion label Off-White, designing high-end streetwear clothes. He collaborated with brands like Levi’s, Nike, and IKEA. He was also the artistic director of menswear for Louis Vuitton in 2018, and earlier this year LVMH bought a 60% stake in his Off-White brand.

Outside of fashion, Abloh also designed album cover art and spearheaded visuals for Kanye West, A$AP Rocky, Lil Uzi Vert, Westside Gunn, and more. He also served as a DJ and occasionally released music, including a team-up with serpentwithfeet that was released earlier this year.

Virgil Abloh was 41 years old.

Sustainability, inclusion and diversity were the focus at the KORNIT FASHION WEEK.

Leading designers from New York, Los Angeles, and abroad showed their collections to a packed audience in downtown Los Angeles November 2-5, in conjunction with KORNIT FASHION WEEK LA, brought to Los Angeles by famed Israeli television, fashion show and documentary producer, Motty Reif.

KORNIT FASHION WEEK LA

From the Studio 54 Christopher Street pride parade of Julia Clancy’s roller disco streetball; the retro drama of vintage inspired silhouettes of Oliver Tolentino cocktail dresses; New York designer, Drue Bekemberg gave men’s suiting a fresh new twist with a mod detailing and classic styles;  the “Metropolis” like avant garde expressionism from Aliona Kononova’s “Goddess Reborn” performance had models performing an interpretive dance ensemble that culminated in a performance prop that turned into the piece de resistance final look.

Asher Levine’s glow in the dark embellishments lit up the stage literally and figuratively and Jolleson, who has designed for some of the top hip hop divas such as Cardi B, Megan The Stallion, Normani and Nicki Minaj, played with metallics, beading and cut away.

And established designers such as Ungaro (designed by Kobi Halperin) and designer Kobi Halperin himself, both showcased travel inspired flowy and graceful spring floral and ethnic prints on 70’s inspired bodies: sheath dresses, skirts, belled sleeves and ruffles.

Spotted among the audience throughout the week were such notables as Janelle Monae, Eva LaRue, Rae Dawn Chong along with father Tommy, Anne Heche and Jaime King.

KORNIT FASHION WEEK LA Models

Designer runways were walked by the likes of Gia Gunn, Lisa Edelstein, Linda Gray, Donna Mills and performances by sultry singer Tanerelle and DJ/Socialite Caroline D’Amore entertained audiences during the runway presentation.

Stepping away from the standard

Intentionally stepping away from the norm, every woman from a size 2 to size 24 was represented during the debut of KORNIT FASHION WEEK LA with plus size models and women over 50 years of age sharing the catwalk with runway models whose skin tones ranged from alabaster to ebony.

Sustainability

With sustainability being a key factor, each designer exacted the use of Kornits highly technical textile digital printing process, which does not use water and reduces carbon foot-printing.

Using this groundbreaking and revolutionary printing process, designers from NY, LA, EU and Israel, showed their creativity in design and original presentation over a span of 4 days with over 400 looks shown to guests and buyers in attendance.