Abercrombie Collaborates with Nicole Benefield of Harlem’s Fashion Row
Abercrombie & Fitch announced October 5 its launch of a collaborative collection with Nicole Benefield, a designer with Harlem’s Fashion Row (HFR), the New York-based agency focused on bridging brands and fashion designers of color. The 26-piece collection includes both men’s and women’s clothing.
The collection, called Abercrombie & Fitch x HFR x Nicole Benefield, is HFR’s first collaboration with Abercrombie, whose parent company reported in August its highest second quarter sales for the brand since 2011. The collection is Benefield’s first foray into menswear, but not her first time working with a major brand. Before launching her self-named collections, which have been shown during New York Fashion Week, Benefield worked for Ann Inc. and Banana Republic, among other fashion players.
More from Sourcing Journal
Abercrombie has collaborated and co-designed with influencers and employees in the past. In March, the brand launched a collection co-designed by influencer Tia Booth. During Black History Month in 2022, it launched a collection designed by the company’s BIPOC Associate Resource Group.
Benefield’s work became known to Abercrombie & Fitch after HFR sent her designs to the brand as part of an initiative to collaborate, according to a company spokesperson.
“After aligning with Harlem’s Fashion Row to work together in a larger capacity and to collaborate on a collection, they sent over designer recommendations of folks who fit the same comfortable casual and stress-free vibe that Abercrombie represents,” a spokesperson said. “In reviews with our design team, it was clear after just a few seconds that Nicole was the one. Everything aligned, and we felt her aesthetic and design sensibility would pair perfectly to what we’re doing at Abercrombie today.”
According to a statement from Abercrombie & Fitch, the collection takes inspiration from New York City. It features tops, bottoms, knitwear, jumpsuits and reversible outerwear keying into the quiet luxury trend as well as preppy varsity styling. The collection launched online on Oct. 5, and Abercrombie & Fitch, HFR and Benefield celebrated the debut on Oct. 3 in New York’s Chelsea neighborhood.
The brand sees the limited-edition collection as a way to foster its connection with HFR.
“The Abercrombie x Harlem Fashion Row x Nicole Benefield collection is an opportunity to deepen our relationship with HFR, reach more customers and bring newness to our assortment,” the spokesperson said.
In the statement, Benefield expressed her excitement toward the project.
“Collaborating with Abercrombie in bringing this collection to life has been incredible. We have a common philosophy that people should feel confident and comfortable in styles that are of the moment, which is at the core of this collection,” she said.
The collaboration came to fruition after a year of partnership between Benefield and Abercrombie & Fitch.
“It began with mood boards and collaborative brainstorm sessions, which evolved into Nicole’s sketches and visits to our global headquarters to meet with our team about fabrics and fit. From there, we fit tested samples and worked into creative direction for the campaign. It was a beautifully busy year,” the spokesperson said.
The launch comes just days after the BBC reported that the company’s former CEO, Mike Jeffries, had allegedly been part of a ring that exploited men for sexual acts, which Abercrombie & Fitch has said it has begun to independently investigate.
