UEL-linked fashion brand to hit New York catwalk

A brand founded by the head of the University of East London’s Fashion department will be exhibited at New York’s internationally famous Fashion Week this year. Beatrice K Newman’s KORLEKIE brand will be part of a showroom run by the Black In Fashion Council (BIFC), in partnership with the global events marketing company IMG. The showcase is aimed at bringing the work of emerging Black designers to the attention of stylists and editors, as part of the BIFC’s attempt to build a new foundation for inclusivity within the fashion industry.

Beatrice, who has dedicated a decade to nurturing her brand, has seamlessly blended her Ghanaian and British heritage in her creations. Her recent work has focused on decolonising the black image, with an emphasis on celebrating black women and the aesthetics of her Ghanaian culture.

Collaborating with Catherine Hudson, a Lecturer on the Fashion, Culture and Business course at UEL, Beatrice has produced garments grounded in a visual culture that centres on African graphics and Ghanaian styles, breaking away from Western narratives.

Speaking about the showcase, Beatrice said,

KORLEKIE's presence at New York Fashion Week marks a significant step towards the development of a growing cultural landscape in fashion. KORLEKIE’s work serves as a testament to the power of collaboration and the potential for change within the industry. As the brand continues to shine on this prestigious platform, it is clear that its impact will extend far beyond the runway.

“This opportunity has not only propelled KORLEKIE into the spotlight but has also opened doors for further collaborations that support recent alumni from the fashion marketing course at UEL. It offers valuable opportunities to graduates and empowers their career progression within the fashion industry,” Beatrice added.

UEL alumnus, Andrea Bonfield, who graduated with a degree in fashion marketing in 2022, did a digital internship for Korlekie during New York Fashion Week.

Andrea said, “Working as a Digital Intern for Korlekie on their New York Fashion Week debut was a huge honour and learning experience. The brand is unique, sensual and a work of art; being a key person on the back-end communications I was able to update Korlekie Press enquiries, converse with models, photographers and influencers wanting to be a part of the Korlekie Showcase; and direct them to acquire press passes, meetings with Beatrice Newman or viewing with the Korlekie Collection.

"Bringing together creatives and being a person of influence behind the brand gave me the confidence to utilize my brand management skills and marketing expertise. The Digital Internship was truly inspirational and I would recommend the experience to those who want to be a part of the fashion industry to really consider taking part and applying.

"Korlekie has provided me with in-depth knowledge of PR, Marketing and Campaign management; understanding of working directing with a designer and what their needs and requirements are when connecting with their audience. Overall, I have learnt so much and added more industry skills to my CV and feel confident in my future in the Fashion industry because of it,” Andrea added.