Despite his lack of design experience, Brou threw himself into the idea of custom-made luxury shoes and launched Koffi Noir in 2019. Working with a tannery in Almansa, Spain, he designs made-to-order, semi-bespoke loafers, trainers, boots, and dress shoes. The brand prioritizes quality materials, sustainability, and fair working conditions.
A new state law just took effect that allows millions of ex-felons to seal their criminal records, opening up new opportunities for former offenders who served their time. Lezla Gooden introduces us to an Oakland man who created a support network for people who are trying to find a fresh start.
What Jules refers to as a "sartorial power grab." With art direction and design by Graham Marsh, the book charts the style and influence of the likes of Malcolm X, James Baldwin, Miles Davis, Martin Luther King. Jr, John Coltrane and Sidney Poitier and what the clothes they wore, and when they wore them, said about them and their place in the word.
Dieudonné Brou is a first-generation Ivorian American who grew up in Oakland, California spending most of his early life trying to find his identity. As a young black male navigating historically marginalized communities in Oakland, California, and the Bay Area, Dieudonné would soon find himself a victim of the school-to-prison pipeline. Dieudonné’s blended West African heritage & Black American experience helped shape his interest in style and fashion.
