Black Accessory Designers Alliance presented the work of Emerging Accessory Designers of Color For NY Fashion Week on February 15

Black Accessory Designers Alliance™ (BADA) presented the creations of emerging accessory designers of color at their semi-annual New York Fashion Week Pop Up Soirée.
The event, a celebration of talented, yet undiscovered artisans, took place from 5 p.m. to 8 p.m. at Unarthodox at 547 West 27 Street, Suite 300 in West Chelsea. Wilbur Pack, Jr., the co-founder of BADA, was among the designers showcasing the newest styles of his bag line SK WiLBUR. He says, “We are very proud to generate this opportunity for designers, like me, who would not normally be able to afford the cost of showing for New York Fashion Week. With BADA, we are able to pool our monies to reach the shared goal of shining a spotlight on each individual and our community as a whole.” Ursallie Smith, the interior design dynamo behind Rococo Design Interiors and the mastermind behind Pillow Throw and Tuck™ decorative pillows, presented her home accessories line for the third time with BADA. “It’s gratifying to be a part of BADA sharing my aesthetic with a broad spectrum of people,” Smith admits. Velvet Lattimore, the owner of Vedazzling Accessories Boutique in DUMBO, Brooklyn and co-founder of BADA presented accessories by a diverse group of designers carried in the store. She says, “There is so much under-the-radar talent out here. With BADA and Vedazzling Accessories, I am able to introduce their work to the buying public and press, too.”

Adding to the style mix this season is the brand called Fashion Trybe. Bold and colorful necklaces comprise the label that launched officially in November 2016 by a four woman collective. In the planning stages since 2015, Christel Cole, Stacey Hebron, Dawn Holloway, and Francine Hunt were already in formation when Beyoncé made her declaration. With many years experience in buying, merchandising, product development, and fashion styling, these black girls who rock are fully prepared to outfit all the classy, sassy ladies ready to up their fashion game.

After more than ten years as a licensed optician working with A-list actors like Chris Noth, Blythe Danner, Amanda Seyfried, and Oscar© winner Meryl Streep on their eye care needs, Tanisha Middleton made the decision to focus on her own vision as a business owner and established Framed By Tee Tee. Capitalizing on all her business relationships in the optical world, she was able to open up her very own online optical boutique in 2014. Stylish yet affordable frames for both men and women populate the site noted for its excellent customer service. Tanisha believes that an amazing shopping experience will have you wanting to come back for more and telling your friends, too. Be on the lookout for Framed By Tee Tee at a Brooklyn outpost in the near future.


Lauren Tatum, the boss chick behind Bunny Paige, became obsessed with jewelry as a child when a treasured vintage necklace her mother gave her broke and she was left with a pile of beads, rhinestones, and inspiration to work with. From that moment, a love affair with handcrafting began. She established Bunny Paige in 2012 after quitting her unfulfilling office job and traveling to Japan and South Korea where she was inspired by the culture’s bold, brash, bright, and funky street style. When she returned home to Cleveland, she was ready to fully immerse herself in her passion. Since then, Lauren has gotten orders from around the globe on her Etsy store, is carried by other local retailers, and is widely known for her subversive use of Swarovski® crystals.
Pamela Wright is the visionary responsible for the jewelry line House of Queen Charlotte. She first started making jewelry while living in England where she was inspired by the beautiful European locales. When she returned to the United States she found her niche as a makeup artist and skincare specialist. After raising her children and becoming a grandmother, Pamela decided to take up jewelry making again and created her label. Each piece of jewelry is made with love and created to be a work of art.
Premium liquor brand Plush Vodka was the sponsor for the event and conducted a tasting. Plush Vodka is infused with plum, is six times distilled from corn grain, is made using only natural flavors, and is gluten free. Sweet plum fruit, used in the Far East for years to make plum wine, is one of the most complimentary fruits for pairing with a premium liquor. The result is the smoothest, most elegantly flavored vodka available.
Press Inquiries should be emailed to thebadaorg@gmail.com or contact Wilbur Pack, Jr. by phone at 917 520 4615.