Afrofuturism
Black Nebula is a collection focusing on Afrofuturism fashion and the philosophical ideas of the black experience. Is a mixture of sci-fi, fantasy, historical, Afrocentrism, and Western ideologies. Black Nebula focuses on the fictional and the real future of African and African American women, black representation, fiction, and the surreal.
In creating a brand for Lauryn's illustration project, she strived to create a brand that focuses on the fictional and real future of African and African American people. A brand that defies the stereotypes and century-old limitations of the black community through fashion. One that harbors the inspiration of what future we could work for, and how the consumer’s vision and dream for themselves can be found in that future. Is the idea of black representation in a black-lacking space, and talking about our experiences and translating that through a surreal fictional space that could reflect our future and the events taking place today. She decided on the name Black Nebula and for this collection, she focused on the black female experience with the future.
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Afrofuturism
Lauryn drew inspiration from Afrofuturism, which is a microculture within Cyberpunk. Lauryn is interested in Cyberpunk themes such as techware and warcore. Techware is maximalist and is largely identified by the use of trench coats, boots, shiny black materials, and dreads. Warcore is more utilitarian and has lots of buckles, straps, vests, and accessories. Lauryn has expressed this through the use of seatbelt buckles, several pockets, baggy joggers, and zippers. Her fabric choices are reminiscent of cyberpunk fashion, and the complementary colors of pink and orange also nod in the direction of Afropunk and traditional colorful African garments. The rings at the necklines of garments and shoes are inspired by the South Ndebele culture, which signifies wealth and status. The orange in the beading is meant to symbolize vitality, while the pink symbolizes love and care I made the Zulu hat and jewelry holograms in Photoshop and Procreate to transform the models into cyberspace. The models also wear African headscarves; some of the fabric is traditional African cotton.
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