DRAFTING W/ BRANDON BLACKWOOD
Brandon Blackwood’s accessories have become shorthand for Black luxury — his handbags and shoes standing as deliberate acts of visibility within an industry long resistant to it. Worn by Beyoncé, Doja Cat and Cardi B, the first-generation American designer’s namesake brand moves seamlessly through pop culture with a clear, fearless point of view. It’s no surprise he was previously nominated for the CFDA Award for Best Accessory Designer.
We stepped inside Blackwood’s world through DRAFTING, where he shared the elements shaping his creative process. From unedited ideas for a MoMA speech to his go-to New York restaurant reservation, this is Blackwood beyond the glamour.
Here is an unreleased Nia bag. The fringe on the denim just wasn’t working for me. I always go back and forth about releasing it.
Paola Antonelli asked me to give a talk at MoMa on the concept of luxury. This was just me coming up with some ideas.
I just built a new home and this is my pantry. I stayed up until 3 AM the night before organizing it. I took this cause I was so proud. Clearly there’s a lil more work to be done.
Lounging at home. The light always hits the living room.
My closet has been my biggest burden. This was me unpacking and organizing it. I did it off Redbull-lemonade and a few cigarette breaks on the fire escape.
I don’t check screen time at all, and I’m not even sure if this is good or bad.
I’m typing this out in an Uber headed to set for Bernard James. I’ve had a glass of water and whatever nutrients mouthwash has, but last night I attended the Year In Time dinner. This was some burrata salad and the only reason I have enough energy to do anything this morning.
Centurion New York with my bestie Sean Garrette. Wayward Fare was cute. Fish Cheeks is my go-to.
I took a pic at my fav store in the city, ESSX. The team there is the coolest and sweetest, and I always get my looks for events there. This day I was shopping with my friend Marcus Leslie Singleton, he just moved to LA.
Brandon Blackwood Ani Boots in Black. My go-to shoe. I wore it with a Jil Sander coat.
Biggie was freaked out, but I love this song.
Twice a year I go on a fake “everything needs to be healthy spiral” and I literally started looking up if my cookware was going to kill me.
Pop culture drives me.
This set would be like $13k, but it’s so good. It’s been sitting in my cart for over a month.
New York Liberty game with my mom. We used to go to basketball games all the time, love my mama.
