The Creators Series w/ Fashion Designer Michael Lombard [BLVCK-OWNED + SERVED]
Many times in our community we do not support each other as others do in their communities. We need to support and encourage each other to strive for greatness.
D.C.-based luxury leather designer Michael Lombard also known as the “King of Leather” is a Black designer who has been holding down the luxury space for quite some time. With his presence spanning through most of Europe, during fashion week, without doing a show since 2017, he has garnered quite the impressive clientele list and has been featured in almost every major fashion magazine, ten times over.
Even with all of those accolades, with Lombard, it’s the sense of knowing exactly who he is Fuh me! Lombard has been using his platform as a designer to elevate models of color in places that would normally not hire them. We sit with the celebrity designer, briefly to discuss being Black in the luxury fashion space in this very special Digital cover edition of The Creators Series: Blvck-Owned + Served.
DOE: As a Black designer, how do you feel your work is received in comparison to a competitor/similar brand with another race as the face of the brand?
MICHAEL: Well I’m pretty well received with my brand but I know I’m not the norm. The fashion industry still has a long way to go for equality and fairness for Black designers.
DOE: What route did you have to take in order to establish yourself as a notable brand?
MICHAEL: I just developed a strategy to achieve my goals and I didn’t deviate from it. Hard work pays off.
DOE: Who have been some of your greatest supporters, in terms of other creators and editors, who've endorsed your work along the way?
MICHAEL: I have a great team and I mentor a few Black designers from around the world including Lana B from South Africa. I’ve had many who have endorsed my work but some notables are Forbes, Vogue, VZSN, Harpers PR, [and] Jim Moore from GQ to name a few.
DOE: Being a Black-owned business seems to be a "hot topic" right now, how do you hope this conversation evolves?
MICHAEL: Yes, but like everything, it only lasts a news cycle. This needs to be sustained and real support for [Black] business is what’s needed. Partnerships, investors, grants, and more.
DOE: Where do you go to release tension, when faced with really challenging times/situations or decisions? Does it always help?
MICHAEL: I will go ride my motorcycle to clear my head many times. I also love traveling to Amsterdam to release tension, gather ideas for my new collection, or just relax.
DOE: How can Creators support one another more?
MICHAEL: Many times in our community we do not support each other as [much as] others do in their communities. We need to support and encourage each other to strive for greatness.