Romeo Hunte brings Biker Shorts and Braids to Business

For Romeo Hunte’s SS2020 show, he gives us leather biker shorts, blazers and Bantu knots.

Romeo Hunte, courtesy of brand

On Sunday, September 8th at Pier59 Studios on Stage B, Romeo Hunte debuted his Spring Summer 2020 Men’s and Women’s Collections to the public. With Romeo being known for his juxtaposition and play on everyday ensembles, it can only be anticipated the designer had something up his sleeve with a collection being named “Deformation.” With his looks being collaborated with COOGI Australia, Ready-To-Wear designs were accompanied by Christian Louboutin shoes, Commando Bodysuits, and bags of water were provided by Essentia.

Romeo Hunte SS20 - Look 1, courtesy of brand

To my surprise, what enters the runway comes a bald dark complexioned model wearing asymmetric suiting with silver hoop detailing while holding a goldfish in a plastic bag. As the looks started to pour onto the catwalk, there was an immediate notice of business attire being reconstructed into a more unconventional aesthetic. The paradoxical contrast of white shirting with leather biking shorts, blazer-cut hoodies, denim and fringe draping off of blazers indicates the designer’s aim to showcase a new narrative of “orthodox uniform.”

What was even more delightful was the play on hair on some of the Black models. Models were sent down the runway in jumbo kanekalon braids, barrettes and beads, and bantu knots - all hairstyles associated with Black American cultural practice. With natural hair being deemed for decades as unkempt or unprofessional for a conservative work environment, it was warming to witness the team of Romeo Hunte incorporate Black hairstyling into the narrative.