We’ve had our eyes peeled on Hanifa’s “Dream” collection ever since it hit the runway, and now we can all get our hands on it. No more anxiously checking the website everyday anticipating the opportunity to purchase those pieces we screenshotted, Hanifa has officially released Drop II of its FW21 collection.
Although the brand’s latest collection was released in the Fall, it includes great transitional pieces for the current season as warmer temperatures arise, and select pieces that are fitting for the Spring and Summer. The six new looks are also the perfect piecesfor your next night out. Whether it be a fancy dinner date or an upscale soiree, you’re bound to find the attire you need in this release. And with Hanifa’s inclusive size offering ranging from XS to 2XL, many women can feel grown and sexy in their Hanifa.
Shop Drop II of Hanifa’s “Dream” collection ahead.
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Raven Maxi
The “Raven Maxi” dress is effortlessly chic and sexy – the structured detailing and high slit makes it a versatile look and easy to style from day to night.
Don’t think twice about this one – she’s hot and will sell out quick. This luscious knit dress will accentuate your curves and highlight your melanin in the most beautiful way.
The “Isani” bodysuit is the most elegant way to highlight your figure, thanks to the cinch and boning detailing – available in emerald green and black. Dress it up with the Hanifa’s Amara skirt or pair it with denim for an elevated, casual look.
The “Amina” pullover is one of the most stylish ways to stay warm when wearing sets or dresses like the one pictured, which is also available for purchase on Hanifa’s website.
If you’ve ever been to ESSENCE Hollywood House, you know it’s more than just a series of panels—it’s a gathering of visionaries. A space where Black creatives and leaders come together to share stories, strategies, and solutions. This year’s conversation, Let’s Talk About LA: Preserving Our City, presented by AT&T, was no different.
The discussion brought together three voices, each deeply invested in shaping LA’s future: D. Smoke, the Grammy-nominated rapper and educator; Olympia Auset, founder of SÜPRMRKT, a grocery service tackling food apartheid in LA; and DJ HED, a radio personality and advocate for independent artists. Though their paths differed, their mission was the same—creating opportunities, protecting culture, and ensuring Black spaces in LA don’t just survive but thrive.
For Olympia Ausset, the work she’s doing with SÜPRMRKT goes far beyond providing fresh groceries—it’s about laying the foundation for a stronger, healthier community. “The LA we love, the cultural beacon it’s known as today, was built by people who worked hard to create their own spaces,” she shared. “The reason I do what I do is because it’s essential. We can’t achieve any of the changes I want for my community without being in good health and having access to affordable, organic food. Without places where we can gather, heal, and support each other, none of the other goals will be possible. It starts with taking care of ourselves and building those spaces together.”
From Olympia’s focus on wellness and accessibility to DJ HED’s belief in the power of self-worth, the discussion explored what it means to dream beyond individual success and invest in collective progress. “I see a lot of people who aren’t proud of where they come from, what they look like, or where they’re at in life,” he said. “I had to learn to give myself grace, to grow. I grew up in Inglewood, raised by a single mom. We lived in a car, we were on welfare, but I knew I wanted to be bigger than my circumstances. That’s what dreaming in Black is—believing in something greater and nurturing it until it grows.”
DJ Smoke also touched on this, emphasizing the importance of intention and fulfillment. “You don’t want to climb that ladder and realize you went real high in the wrong direction,” he warned. “A lot of people in LA are ambitious, but if you don’t understand your ‘why,’ you can get to the top and still feel empty. The goal isn’t just to make it—it’s to make it mean something.
Sometimes, as Black creatives, we only dream as far as the next gig or the next check, but dreaming in Black means going beyond that. “It means thinking bigger than what’s right in front of you,” said host Donye Taylor.
This conversation was a call to action – a reminder that preserving LA’s Black culture means investing in community, honoring our history, and building a legacy that lasts.
