Live Out Loud is the title of Anifa Mvuemba’s summer 2022 offer for Hanifa, the Washington D.C.-based label.

FOR WOMEN WITHOUT LIMITS

Inspired by a woman’s journey to a life without limits, Hanifa was created. Utilizing captivating designs, bold colors and unique textures, our feminine designs illuminate natural curves. Featuring Ready-To-Wear collections for women sizes 0 – 20. We hold true to providing luxurious pieces for all women, at every turn of her lifestyle. (from website)

The collection itself is an explosion of color that successfully balances the contemporary aesthetic Mvuemba has developed with the myriad of trends that have emerged over the past year. There’s baggy cargo pants, chunky bodycon knits, cutouts, and the sexy Y2K-ish sensibility that has spread throughout fashion. Some of these shapes are a welcome departure for Mvuemba, an expansion of her design language and a statement to the growth she speaks of. “I’m in a place where I don’t want to make excuses,” she said reflecting on the past year, “I’m a designer, and I want to be recognized as such, not for the ‘Instagram thing’ or as the ‘Black girl.’”

Mvuemba wants to expand into a more formal offering, so she has been exploring fabrics in the space. “I want to be recognized as a global luxury brand without losing our core customer, that’s the gap I’m looking to close here, to grow with our customer.” This desire is reflected not only in the collection’s evening wear, but in her expansion into footwear. The finale, a skillfully tiered and layered ruffle gown with feather accents, was particularly striking. A fitted cowl neck gown also hit the spot.

“I wanted to take this collection back to our focus on women’s bodies and the female shape,” she said as a model tried on the last gown, “to give something a little different and truly show my range.”