NYFW 2020 Campaigns | 619 launches #619free campaign: Black, His Story
Celebrating the culture of black ownership, black excellence, and iconic black legends that paved the way for African-American freedom as marked by Juneteenth, income equality, and entertainment is heritage brand sixnineteen by Chicago-bred, New York-based artist Wisdom Harris.
The hand-drawn art-turned printed T-shirts, Hoodies and athletic wear are installed by Harris, a Creative Director to stars like Kevin Hart. Harris represents the true American Dream with a girl-boss lifestyle constructed atop black power and street hype culture. 619’s mission is to empower people of color to stand up to oppression of any form and fight injustice against their individuality with a sense of pride and purpose. Each design conveys freedom through conversational art inspired by African-American pop-culture.
In the newly launched #619free photography campaign “ Black, His Story” featuring striking black and white photography by Ghanaian photographer Kofi Boateng, five men “from around the way” who have experienced their own forms of oppression including incarceration and racial stereotyping are seen lounging, or what would be considered “loitering” in the streets of Queens, NY in select 619 pieces. These five men have had to fight in order not to become a product of their environment and spent the day detailing their varying experiences with Harris and her team.
Stories like that of Marcus Frye, an OG originally from Brooklyn who now lives in Far Rockaway Queens, who went to prison in 1988 for running from the cops and was never brought to trial on any other precedent but spent over thirty years in prison until he learned a law that helped him appeal his way out on Parole in late December of last year.
Harris, about her new campaign says: “The escapism in art brings us to a harsh reality that we are not perceived in the way we want to be perceived, but sometimes by the color of our skin. Prison, a modern-day slavery and a stain or a right of passage for those who have lived through it and are now free. In what sense of the word can you be free from something that robbed you of your childhood, innocence or freedom for a set amount of time. What’s Free?”
Since launching the campaign L&HH reality star Masika Kalysha has been seen voicing out her freedom story. She details being very intentional about using her entire African name in the industry despite advice from colleagues on making her name seem less black for the sake of interviews and castings. Professor, New York Times best-selling author and activist Chris Emdin can also be spotted wearing 619 and sharing his perspective on being #619free.
The Brand’s style is reminiscent of the early days of the Billionaire Boys Club and A Bathing Ape, and has garnered a celebrity following and collaboration hit list with greats such as One Music Festival, Method Man and the late, great Nipsey Hustle. Follow 619 on IG to see celebrity and influencer videos on their #619free stories. Join the #619free movement Shop 619 online and share your story on Instagram by tagging @619.clothing and hashtag #619free.
