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Spring Fashion Preview: Duro Olowu for JCPenney

JCPenney gets a much-needed infusion of standout style this spring with more than a little help from Brit-designer Duro Olowu.  The limited-engagement Duro Olowu for JCP collection hits stores in March and is reasonably priced from $10 to $100.

It includes vibrant, African-inspired prints emblazoned on clothing, handbags, shoes and home decor. The statement jewelry pieces--notably a blinged-out Ram's head pearl necklace ($25)--are killer.

Designer Duro Olowu.

Duro Olowu’s spring collection for JCP was previewed at an event hosted by JCP and The Daily Front Row./Top images courtesy of The Daily

Everything She Wants previewed the collection during Fashion Week and we were gifted a couple pieces from the colorful, pattern-rich collection.  First Lady Michelle Obama is a fan of Olowu's flamboyant designs, and now we are too.  While fashion insiders got a sneak peek at The Daily Front Row-hosted event, the Nigeria native held court with his lovely wife Thelma Golden, chief curator of The Studio Museum of Harlem.

When asked by The Daily to comment on the state of diversity in the fashion industry, the charming designer replied:

"What I've always loved about fashion is that we're constantly inspired by other cultures and using their ideas and techniques to create something new.  But that's where it ends lately," he explains.  

"The industry is much less diverse than it was in [previous decades], and I think that's unfortunate. The reluctance to use not only black models but also those from diverse cultures is baffling.  I find it hard to sit through a runway show that has 40 looks and every model is white. Beauty, like style, is international."





Scenes from the Duro Olowu for JCP spring collection preview./Courtesy of Everything She Wants


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