For designer Anifa Mvuemba, the past few months have been rewarding to say the least. Mvuemba announced yesterday that her luxury label, Hanifa, has now signed with The Hinton Group—a Black-owned public relations firm led by powerhouse Nate Hinton. The Hinton Group has been a key factor in the rise of Kerby Jean-Raymond’s brand, Pyer Moss, while also representing other high-end Black-owned labels like Sergio Hudson, Aliétte and Sukeina.
“Anifa e-mailed me last September for a meeting in the midst of fashion week. I asked her to reschedule, but we never did,” Hinton tells ESSENCE. “After I saw the 3-D show on IG, I said to myself, ‘I have to work with her,” because she delivered what I had been envisioning for fashion shows in today’s climate.”
Mvuemba quickly adapted to the COVID-19 regulations early March by testing out 3D models to showcase pieces from her brand. Shortly after, the designer held a digital fashion show on Instagram Live that blew away the industry and gained rave reviews from Teen Vogue, Forbes, Harper’s Bazaar and ESSENCE.
“We’re very excited to be partnering with The Hinton Group. It was important to me to work with a Black PR firm,” says Mvuemba. “I’ve always admired THG’s work and the intentionality behind every brand they represent. I look forward to seeing what Hanifa can accomplish with them.”
Just last week, Black women rallied around Mvuemba as a Forbes writer credited the start-up company Bigthinx for hosting the “first” 3-D fashion show. After a call-out at ESSENCE and responses from unsatisfied supporters on Twitter, the article was later taken down.
“I am looking forward to stopping at nothing to see Hanifa become even more successful,” exclaims Hinton.