In 2008 Carly Cushnie and Michelle Ochs launched Cushnie et Ochs but in 2018 it was announced that Ochs would be leaving the company that she helped started. However, Carly held down the forte, continuing with the label as CUSHNIE. Carly broke down barriers, achieving a level of success that very few black designers have and as a black women, it made it even greater. Carly was appointed to the Board of Directors for the CFDA, she participated in the CFDA Vogue Fashion Fund and in May 2020 she was the first black women to launch a successful dress collection with Target.
Unfortunately, the US is struggling with poor leadership so when Covid-19 hit earlier this year, a lot of business were hit hard by it and left with no other option than to close its door. Well Carly was hit with the hard decision to do just that with her namesake label. This morning she announced on her brand's instagram that Cushnie is closing its door. Aside from her biggest accomplishments, she dressed the biggest names in the business from First Lady Michelle Obama, Beyonce, Mary J. Blige, Regina Hall, Kristen Bell, Saoirse Ronan, Lupita Nyong'o, Evan Rachel Wood and so many more.
This is a tough lost for fashion but there is no doubt that Carly has broken down barriers for women of color along with leaving her mark in the industry. I am sure this is not the last chapter in her book, I look forward to see what she is going to do next. There is no need to describe how great her designs were because the sultry and sophisticated designs spoke for themselves. Relive the moments of celebs wearing Cushnie HERE.
