Nicole Benefield
Different can be amazing as we saw this season at NYFW during a new partnership formed with IMG and Spring Studios. The two housed the debut showcase for Black in Fashion Council's debut industry showcase. Standing strong for fellow BIPOC designers Nicole Benefield was among 16 minority designers selected to show their most recent collections. VNF Productions Inc so kindly hosted our appointment with Nicole and both encounters for our team were beyond pleasant.
While we walked in with this being our 1st time experiencing Benefield and what she has titled, The Nicole Benefield Portfolio Collection our team absolutely left feeling like we met a new friend. Nicole is rich in life experience, sharp, creative and witty! Most of all, she is beautifully smart. This portfolio collection has been birthed from many years of ideas Nicole has put together that has prepared her for this very moment in time. A collection that she also has gained sound advice from her children on, one being in high school the other in college. The “family affair” feel extending from our chats about that very advice down to her choice of having her sassy model of the day Thomasina.
Her “Made on demand” designs that truly did come straight from her portfolio last year as the pandemic hit come as attractive separates in a grounded organic palette that can easily be infused with any woman’s current wardrobe. Did we mention they are 97% biodegradable? All designs are printed as patterns on the fabric not only making the collection more sustainable but also
After coming to a place in her career when she thought she may have been done, last year's pandemic actually helped Nicole streamline a process that is proving successful. “Creativity comes out of restriction”, Nicole reminiscing of a podcast she heard.
Now this Brooklyn born beauty is here to stay! Nicole is a gem and we couldn’t imagine her not being here to disrupt the energy in the industry. Oh! And don’t worry accessories are coming too!
