Nurse, Grandmother, Designer: Delores

office people of Issue 06 included the EVERYBODY.WORLD founders Iris Alonzo and Carolina Crespo who's efforts take art to activists, and activism to artists. Delores has created a collection of versitile clothing with recyclable jersey— and has set aside 10% of the profit for her granddaughters' education. Honor student, heroine. Best hat model in history.

She seems impossible to take on. Unfortunately, although we won't ever look as awesome in a hat as her— there is still something to contribute. We discussed this with Delores.

How long have you been designing clothes?

I am not a professional designer, I’m actually a retired nurse and educator. It began with inspiration from my talented mother “Ardenia” and a gift subscription of Seventeen Magazine. Since my teenage years, I have been using clothing to augment, reflect and extend my feelings or mood, or to make a statement. I always have great fun with it.

Do you get fashion inspiration from the other fields you have worked in?

Yes...

Modeling, in stores, runways and exclusively for manufacturers.

Teaching, multicultural experiences. Spokesperson for the Music Center of Los Angeles County.

How has your style developed throughout the years?

My style has become more traditional and refined in the silhouettes and accessories that I choose.

Who did you design the wrap top and pencil skirt for?

It is for all who wants as I desire… Affordable value, 20+ ways to wear it. Attractive on young and mature figures. Easy care. Travels well. Style it for casual, sporty, cocktail, resort. Truly can be worn for all occasions. Environmentally aware materials, 100% recycled cotton.

Who is your fashion icon?

Yves Saint Laurent.

Has your life in Alabama inspired your aesthetic at all?

Yes, “practically all". From my parents who taught us that “Having to be the best“ was an asset for success. My father, Paul, taught me to help everyone, share and make friends regardless of color but to be “generous to a fault.” ...

My mother, Ardenia... Ardenia’s theory was to “never do for or treat others different than she would for her own family” We lived on a dirt road in Birmingham, Alabama, in a "shotgun" house renovated with a "picture window". One Christmas, we had a huge Christmas tree with all blue lights. Many people came to view the black family with the beautiful blue lighted Christmas tree, year after year.

Tuskegee University not only provided an excellent education but exposure to all of the arts and many noted trailblazers.

I know you have spoken on the importance of your spouse, has your marriage made its way into your designs?

Ben, my talented husband made only two requests of me before our marriage. Don't get fat. Look good all the time. Of course he was joking, but he does appreciate that I like to get dressed up. Ben has good taste and always helps with style and color and in fact, I have welcomed and requested his continued “opinion” for the past 60 years.

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.