Gabrielle Union Collaborates With Nigerian Designer Banke Kuku for New York & Company

Words by The Folklore Team

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American actor Gabrielle Union took to Instagram to announce her latest collection for her New York and Company line – a collaboration with Nigerian fashion designer Banke Kuku. Released to coincide with and celebrate Union’s 50^th birthday, the six-piece collection is designed to honor culture, art and beauty in all forms.

The capsule collection is part of The Gabrielle Union Collection at New York & Company, a partnership with the apparel and accessories retailer that the actor launched in 2017. Since then, Union has created seasonal collections for the retailer, along with footwear and childrenswear lines.

Known for her colorful printed silk pieces, designer Banke Lawson is a Central Saint Martins and Chelsea College of Art and Design alum who launched her eponymous label in 2011. Banke Kuku specializes in modern loungewear rendered in West African-inspired prints, drawing on the Lawson’s cultural heritage to create unique patterns and textiles with rich colors and textures. Banke Kuku designs have found fans in the likes of Tiwa Savage, Davido, Michelle Obama, and now, Gabrielle Union.

“As I’m entering a new decade of my life, I wanted to commemorate this journey with something special, and collaborating with designer Banke Kuku to bridge our cultures together was the perfect fit,” Union says of the collaboration. “This collection captures the beauty, creativity and vibrancy of our communities and integrates Nigerian-inspired designs with the collective flyness of our diaspora.”

With luxurious silk pieces in vibrant shades, the collection features kaftans, maxi dresses and coordinating separates with Banke Kuku’s signature designs and bold prints. Just in time for the holidays, the limited-edition Gabrielle Union x Banke Kuku capsule collection is available now at New York & Company.