THE HIGH STREET EDIT
fashion blog
AFROCENTRISM: BEHIND THE SCENES
 Channel your inner artist in this sweet retro pollock print dress. Pair with your favorite pair of sneakers for the perfect play on street style. Not to mention, this dress also has pockets. Score! |  Let your inner Nubian princess reign in this handmade floral crescent dress. Pair with lime green platform sandals for that special look of the day. |
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 Channel your inner artist in this sweet retro pollock print dress. Pair with your favorite pair of sneakers for the perfect play on street style. Not to mention, this dress also has pockets. Score! |  Afrocentrism: Summer '20 Collection |
 |  Let your inner Nubian princess reign in this handmade floral crescent dress. Pair with lime green platform sandals for that special look of the day. |
 |  Let your inner Nubian princess reign in this handmade floral crescent dress. Pair with lime green platform sandals for that special look of the day. |
 Stand out in the crowd with this cool off-the-shoulder graphic tee from Oat & Fawn. Pair with cat-eye sunnies and a pair of raw-hem jeans for an easy, breezy summertime look. |  Let your inner Nubian princess reign in this handmade floral crescent dress. Pair with lime green platform sandals for that special look of the day. |
By Taya Flores,
High Street Fashion Co. co-founder,
Stylist and Creative Director
Fashion has the ability to empower.
That was the ethos behind our Afrocentrism collection, which is fueled by color, vacation imagery and African prints.
During one of my routine thrifting haunts, I scouted multiple handmade African print dresses.
As soon as I saw these colorful print dresses, I knew in my heart, that they were something special.
They instantly reminded me of a heritage I know very little about. Yet I felt such a strong kinship to the rich legacy of melanin-laced kings and queens that my ego swelled with pride.
"I know these dresses would make such a statement about black beauty and confidence," I thought."I know they will serve as the strongest backbone to a celebratory collection of black women, their radiance and color."
Quintessa and I co-founded High Street Fashion Co., an online vintage and curated thrift boutique, in 2019.
We want women of color to not only embrace their natural beauty but celebrate its rich history, which is rife with struggle and perseverance.
We are aware of the external prejudices that continue to plague the African Diaspora but work tirelessly to rise above any negative stereotypes people might try to ascribe to black women.
I know what it's like to be followed around a store, pulled over by police or passed over for a job promotion and have to wonder if your beautiful skin color somehow played a role.
It's unfair to have to always wonder if someone is pre-judging you based on the melanin in your skin.
It makes you feel helpless. But I am a firm believer that no one can keep what God has in store for you from you.
Embracing Natural Beauty
Cultivated Culture
Quintessa said her parents played a strong role in helping her cultivate and embrace her black identity.
"I grew up in a household that celebrated and taught my siblings and I to be proud to be Black. And that pride and self-awareness followed me into adulthood, making me the strong black woman I am today," she said.
For styling the collection, we took inspiration from African prints, tropical vacation destinations and street style.
"We wanted to style this collection in a way that channeled the easy chill vibes of summer while infusing traditional African prints and patterns with a modern sensibility," Quintessa said.
'Black is Radiant'
I envisioned the narrative of young, beautiful black women traveling to exotic places.
"These are the clothes they would wear," I thought. "These are the clothes I would wear."
We wanted to imbue this collection with a celebratory sense of cultural transcendence.
"It represents the pride we feel as a people and the unity of us all coming together to appreciate what makes us unique but also what unifies us," Quintessa said.
I agree.
We hope you find strength in each piece because:
Black is beautiful.
Black is radiant.
Black is strong.
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4 Ways to Style Prints
Meet the Team
Taya Flores
Co-founder
Creative Director & Copy Writer
Hi! I write product copy and blog posts for our ecommerce site and manage email marketing campaigns. I serve as the brand's web Designer for .com. And work in collaboration in conceptualizing and styling the brand shoots and collections for High Street Fashion Co.
Quintessa Ezell
Co-founder
Product Manger &
Social Media Strategist
Hi! I photograph product images for our ecommerce site, process incoming inventory and outgoing orders. I also manage our social media campaigns and our Depop shop. And work in collaboration in styling for our brand shoots and collection campaigns for High Street Fashion Co.
Play with Texture
Add a statement bag in a rich pleated leather or a woven material to add texture to your look.
Play with Color
Your hair is often your best accessory. Braid it to add summer waves and dye it to add a pop of color to a look.
Play with Proportion
When wearing a big bold print, try playing with proportion by pairing it with a small dainty vintage earring.
Play with Opposites
Unique outfits surface when you pair opposites. The contrast creates visual interest as seen in this outfit. The low - top street sneaker toughens this playful vintage fit - and-flare dress.