In spite of the city’s abundance of homegrown design talent, Detroit isn’t typically seen as a fashion hub. Tori Nichel hopes to change that perception with the launch of the e-commerce hub. Featuring an initial lineup of six Black designers—all Detroit natives—Maison Black is more than just a retailer. It’s a platform for Black talent to grow their businesses.
When Nichel started mapping out her new business, she knew Detroit would be part of the story. “When I tell you how amazing Detroit has been—it’s just a testament about what the definition of home means,” she says. “I’ve been very inspired by the organic rebuild that has happened. There’s a lot of community support,” she explains. Born and raised in the Motor City until she relocated to New York as a fashion student, Nichel is moved by the way the city continues to evolve and grow.
“I always felt like there was a void,” Nichel says of her efforts to discover Black fashion designers. “Like, why can’t you find us?” While she’d long felt as though there should be some kind of shoppable destination to fill this void, she knew that it would need to live on the internet. “It’s one thing to have a brick-and-mortar store, but it needs to be accessible to everybody,” she says.
Also among the designers is self-described “fashion-design veteran” Shawnna McGee, whose 39-year career in the industry came to a halt when she lost her job at the beginning of the pandemic. After decades of working for brands like Donna Karan and Ralph Lauren and creating costumes for Donna Summer and El DeBarge, McGee took advantage of lockdown to create a collection of silk scarves and kimonos featuring her own bold illustrations. Working with Nichel is a full-circle moment for McGee.
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