Marni x Erykah Badu: A Family Affair

May 03, 2023

Last Saturday, the rain didn't dampen the spirits of New York City's fashion elite as they flocked to Marni's Soho store for the unveiling of Erykah Badu's 42-piece collaboration.

Badu, who always brings her signature flair, arrived in a large top hat, extravagant accessories, and colorful garments with her daughter, Puma Curry, by her side. It was the perfect representation of the collection, designed with the support of creative director Francesco Risso, who seamlessly embodied Badu's personal style.

Despite her status as a musical icon, Badu has recently been exploring other creative realms, such as fashion and advertising. She was dressed by Risso for the MET Gala in 2022, and again this year, so this collaboration is no surprise and truly a culmination of their budding creative relationship.

Text by Marisa Kalil-Barrino
Photos by Sergio Cattivelli

Badu and Curry turned heads as they arrived fashionably late — after the event was supposed to end. They did a walkthrough of the collection as photographers bombarded them with lenses. As the evening turned into night, DJ Gonnie Garko kept the party going with throwback R&B tunes before Badu took to Marni's DIY "stage" for a speech, thanking Risso and describing the collection. In a surprising turn of events, Curry surprisingly burst into song, followed by an x-rated freestyle rap from Badu.

As the night winded down, I made my way to Badu's dressing room, where she was already twenty minutes into an Instagram live session (which I didn't know at the time). I sat on the luxurious store's floor as Badu welcomed me with open arms. I chatted with Badu about her recent collaboration, her Met Gala prep and her upcoming tour with Yasiin Bey. Read on for our exclusive interview below.

What are you wearing tonight?

These are some of the pieces from my Marni line. I’m wearing my round-toe shoe, I’m wearing a striper knit. We have lots of knit in the collection. I’m wearing my favorite hat; everything is faux, so no teddy bears were harmed in the process. This blazer was inspired by futuristic nineties. Most of the stuff is the color way I wore in the nineties…patchwork, knits and things like that. He (Risso) was able to capture it and bring it to the future.

How collaborative was the process? Did Risso create the collection based on who you are, or did you have a lot of say in the construction?

Both. He used a lot of his research and know-how. Our process was really interesting. We started out with sending storyboards back and forth of color ways. He actually chose to go in the direction of the Badu nineties. The details are what I’m really good at: finding details in jewelry and for example, all of the shoes have a certain toe. All of the jewelry have bells.

And bells are your signature?

That’s my signature: bells… buttons… ancestors.

What was it like doing the campaign alongside Puma?

It was a dream come true. I couldn’t have written a better story for me and my daughter. She’s an improvement of my design in every way. I honor it, I learn from her. I’m teaching her a little along the way, but also learning from her because she knows what she wants. She’s definitely not a little Erykah, she’s her own person. She’s bad! She speaks many languages, she’s very fluent in fashion, she’s very creative and such a sweet baby. She’s a sweet girl. I really like her. I like hanging out with her and talking to her. Us, side by side, working on this, means so much to me. She just really supported me a lot. She didn’t have to support me like this, but she does.

It’s easy to love a parent or a child, but it’s not always easy to like them all the time.

We haven’t had any issues. We haven’t had any of the back and forth issues that me and my mother had. My daughter and I haven’t had any of that. So far, so good.

I couldn’t have written a better story for me and my daughter.

You wore Marni to the Met Gala last year. Are you following the Karl Lagerfeld theme this year?

All of the designers are going with the Karl Lagerfeld theme. Francesco was able to capture that in his own way. Lagerfeld was a very detailed artist and sculptor. I would say Francesco definitely worked on sculptures. Puma is working with me as well. He's dressing both of us (me and Puma).

What's your routine to prepare for the Met Gala?

I don't have to do a lot because I always work with a very talented creative director. Francesco is one of the best, so I don't have to do much. We look at the garments and then I decide on hair and makeup.

You’re going on tour with Yasiin Bey. What can we expect from you at the shows?

You can expect whatever you want.

What are you looking forward to in the future?

I’m looking forward to getting this work out of me. I think my best work is still in me. Puma inspires me to reach down for it.

All types of work, and not just music?

All types. I have a better clarity now, a confidence and an understanding for what I can do and reaching out into different areas. Fashion, for example, is something I’ve always wanted to do and Francesco made it possible. That’s a big thing; sharing your platform with someone, because he (Risso) doesn’t have to do that…no one does.

I’m looking forward to getting this work out of me. I think my best work is still in me. Puma inspires me to reach down for it.

Fashion

Timberland and Veneda Carter Reimagine Classics with Bold Metallics

November 23, 2024

Veneda Carter teams up with Timberland once again, bringing a fresh edge to archival designs in their latest capsule collection. Highlight pieces include towering lace-up boots in electric blue and silver, alongside a sleek reinvention of Timberland’s iconic 6-Inch boot, both crafted with patent leather and recycled materials.

The collection also introduces rugged, versatile outerwear like oversized parkas, utility vests, and a statement boiler suit, all built for layering and durability. Inspired by industrial design and early 2000s fashion, Carter infuses each piece with a contemporary energy that feels both striking and wearable.

The collection is now available and can be found at flagship Timberland stores, online, and select retailers worldwide..

By Enzo Holdt
Photography courtesy of Timberland

Fashion

ECCO.kollektive collaborates with Louis-Gabriel Nouchi

November 21, 2024

ECCO.kollektive has teamed up with Paris-based designer Louis-Gabriel Nouchi for a bold and innovative Spring/Summer 2025 collection. Known for his thoughtful exploration of masculinity and storytelling in fashion, Nouchi brings his unique perspective to this collaboration, blending his modern aesthetic with ECCO’s skill in craftsmanship and material innovation.

The collection features a range of footwear, clothing, and accessories, each designed with attention to detail. The collection uses a mix of black, deep red, and pearl white. Sensual touches, like Nouchi’s signature slits, combine with structured tailoring and flowing shapes, showing how the designer blends bold and refined styles.

We spoke with Louis-Gabriel Nouchi about the collection and his inspiration. From the textures of the human body to his love for stretch leather, Nouchi shared how the collaboration allowed to experiment with new ideas.

By Enzo Holdt
Photography by courtesy of ECCO.kollektive x LGN

The collection debuted at Paris Fashion Week and draws inspiration from the textures of the human body. “The idea came from the textures of skin,” Nouchi explains. “I wanted to create something sensual and fluid, using leather in a way that felt both strong and soft. Leather has this amazing quality—it can feel like armor, but also like a second skin.”

Nouchi worked closely with ECCO to develop designs that showcase the versatility of their materials. High-shine biker nappa leather with a waxy finish appears in tailored separates like a single-breasted blazer, trousers, and long-line shorts. For a more experimental edge, he created a column dress and a pencil skirt using strips of leather embroidered onto stretchy tulle—a design he says was inspired by his younger self. “When I was young, I was obsessed with stretch leather because of designers like Jean-Claude Jitrois. It’s something I wanted to explore and bring into this collection, almost like fulfilling a dream for my past self.”

Footwear is another major highlight, featuring Derby shoes, Helsinki loafers, and the standout Truck Lace loafer with a bold platform. The shoe’s futuristic design draws from Nouchi’s fascination with brutalism and technology. “It might be a bit controversial,” he says, laughing, “but I really like the Tesla Cybertruck. The sharp, angular lines and futuristic look combined with that raw, brutalist vibe—it’s something that resonates with me. The platform on the Truck Lace loafer feels like a nod to that kind of design.”

Another unique detail is the inclusion of removable coins on some of the shoes, adding a playful yet personal touch. “You can take the coins off—it becomes almost like a lucky charm,” Nouchi says. “It’s one of those small details that make the pieces feel more connected to the wearer.”

Louis-Gabriel Nouchi’s signature slit motif, which adds subtle hints of reveal and concealment, runs throughout the collection. “The slit is about teasing the eye,” he explains. “It’s never about revealing too much—it’s about creating tension, a little mystery.” This motif appears on everything from loafers to hems, blending seamlessly with the collection's sensual yet structured aesthetic.

When asked about the versatility of his designs, Nouchi emphasizes their adaptability to different occasions. “You can wear these pieces in super casual situations on the street, looking super chic at night—super sexy,” he says. “From one garment, you can style it in so many ways during the day. For example, the tank top—you can wear it with pants, or without. It’s super hot, super cool, and it works for so many moments.”

For Nouchi, the collaboration with ECCO was as much about innovation as it was about creative freedom. “There are no limits with ECCO,” he says. “As a designer obsessed with materials, having the freedom to push development this far was an amazing opportunity. Fashion, for me, is like a laboratory. It’s about testing ideas and seeing how far we can take them.”

The ECCO.kollektive x Louis-Gabriel Nouchi collection is available now, combining high-quality craftsmanship with bold, modern design that showcases Nouchi’s vision and ECCO’s craftsmanship.