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Antoine Manning is the designer behind one of the most coveted handbags of the year — Homage Year‘s “Ova” Bag.
For the Bronx-born designer, his work has always been intentional and built around creating community. With the rise of his brand, Hommage Year, and designers like Brandon Blackwood and Telfar Clemens, it’s clear that creatives who “do it for the culture” are leaving an imprint on fashion globally.
Manning recognizes the increase of inclusion for Black designers, models and business owners in mainstream media — which historically has been limited — and has dubbed 2022 as the second wave of the “Harlem Renaissance.”
“I feel like it’s the rise of the new Harlem Renaissance. There’s a whole lot of different successful Black entrepreneurs and creators who are crafting their own path in this world,” Manning exclusively tells GRAZIA USA.
Not only is Manning representing his community, but he’s expanding the spotlight on a place known as the hub for Black American history, music and excellence: Atlanta. The multidisciplinary artist is currently based in the southern city, and has been bringing the New York fashion scene to the peach-titled streets. He tells GRAZIA USA, “Although I come from the Bronx, Atlanta is not a hub for designers, painters or poets. It’s not known for any of those things, it’s a hub for music primarily. But my goal was, and always has been, to make the young people who are in Atlanta see that this is a place where you can make things happen.”
Fans of the Ova bag have developed a sense of joy over the activations he creates. Each bag and launch is designed around a feeling, desire and intention. The initial debut in 2021 occurred during the height of the pandemic and after the world watched the tragic murder of George Floyd.
For Manning, the idea of the Ova shape came from the evolution of life and the concept of rebirth. Ova is the plural form of the ovum, a mature reproductive cell, which has the power to recreate, rebuild, and birth new life. Honoring the beginning of life as well as the beauty within it has become the foundation for Manning’s work.
He’s since built upon the 2021 drop with a recent passion fruit activation, designing a yellow speckled bag that represents a symbolic way to look back at what he’s accomplished. “The passion for this collection is a reflection of the fruits of our labor,” he explains. “There is this passion that we’ve, we’ve put into our craft.”
The Benign Banana Homage Year — Ova Mini Mini Manifestation Bag is currently sold out, but you can check out the fruits of his labor at blackfashionfair.com.
Shop other styles of Antoine Manning’s Homage Year Ova bags, below:
