Sustainable is the new trend coming from designer houses. Fashion Designers, internationally and locally, are paying attention to our planet’s climate crisis with their choices in where they gather fabric pieces used in their collections.
Pittsburgher Imani Batts of Catherine Trendz LLC is a fashion designer who produces high-quality, stylish, eco-friendly, and ethically made clothing. She is curating a Black History Month event, “GRWM Runway Experience,” on Saturday, February 24, 2024. The event will take place at Velum Fermentation on the South Side. Before we dive into this unique fashion event, let us get to know Imani—
Imani was born and raised in the West Mifflin/Homestead and studied Fashion Merchandising at IUP (Indiana University of Pennsylvania). She also completed an international study at the Florence University of Arts in Florence, Italy. “I feel my international studies are what pushed me to confirm I wanted to do something in fashion.” During her international studies, she held an internship position in Florence as an Assistant Director.
On her return to Pittsburgh, Imani found herself restless. She wanted to do something in fashion but was unsure what it was. So, she traveled to spend time with her father and stepmother in Washington, D.C.—then the pandemic hit. She spent her days gathering old clothes, cutting them up, and creating novel items by not sewing but gluing pieces together. Her stepmom mentioned she should learn how to sew. “It was a no-go for me. It tested my patience. People think once you start something, you will automatically be good at it. The sewing machine was one of those -you are not good at it-. At first, I said no, but the sewing machine kept coming into my life. What was God trying to tell me?”
Imani returned to Pittsburgh to work as a vintage reseller, but she wanted something more. One day, she looked at her sewing machine and heard God ask her are you ready? Imani added, “I was, and ever since, it changed my life.”
She has since facilitated intergeneration sewing classes at the Bible Center Summer Camp (Homewood) and at the Andy Warhol Museum, as well as private lessons. Her mentor is Nisha Blackwell, and both are working to organize other community sewing workshops. “You may be surprised there is a growing number of Black male youth wanting to learn how to sew,” she added.
During this new segment of her fashion designer life, she had the opportunity to travel to LA Fashion Week, where she met great designers, and returned to Pittsburgh, where she did pop-up shops. Imani is a 2023-2024 artist in residence in the Distillery Emerging Artists Program at the Brew House on the South Side. “The people at the Brew House program are nice and open to the artists’ ideas and are incredibly supportive. I recommend artists to check out and sign up for the residency program,” she commented.
Imani’s space at the Brew House is open and warm with a nice window view. On the day I was there, I noticed a deer outside the window; she said visits from deer are normal, and she welcomes them. Besides the fantastic location and view, her space filled with her collections of designs, some ready to wear, others in the stages of being created or finished. The table is layered with old clothing, tapestries, crochet blankets, all sustainable fabrics, and pieces ready to be created into innovative designs.
“This has been my second home. I am here every day. This space gives me room to work. Plus, I am surrounded by six other artists, all different genres, and their work has inspired me to branch out,” she said.
One example of the inspiration is her mini documentary “Hair Journey.” She collaborated with her Dad to produce this documentary, where she went out and interviewed Black people on their hair journey. The trailer will be shown at the GRWM fashion show on February 24th, and the goal is for the full-length documentary to be shown at the Rankin Community Center (Old Woodland Hills Middle School).
On Saturday, February 24, 2024, at the Velum Fermentation the “GRWM Runway Experience” will occur. Imani shared that the inspiration behind this Black History Month event is her personal hair journey. “I recently loc’d my hair, and I feel as though I am going down the rabbit hole of hair transformation. I realized in my younger years my sanctuary was the local beauty store. A place where we grew from beads to barrettes to weaves to bamboo earrings. This was a signature place for Black women’s first GRWM. The beauty store was where we turned to get ready. A place where we would find what we needed to express our fashionable selves. This is what I want to tap into,” she said.
There are stories of family practices, cultural traditions, and rites-of-passages behind my collections. My use and practice of being sustainable is not new; we as a people have always been resourceful, where nothing goes to waste, where we redesign our old things into something new and wonderful. With today’s society’s consumption of textiles at an all-time high, it is important to me to upcycle using purchased clothes from thrift and vintage stores. What others see as a throw-away, I see as treasure.
This event will raise awareness of hair discrimination towards Black people. I was to empower our community at this event and give back to the young. “This will be a platform, a place to love their hair. One of the participating businesses is Knights a Cut Beyond (Homestead), a place I have patronized since childhood. We are searching for a stylist who will volunteer to do the girls’ hair.
GWRM Experience will be more than a fashion show; it will include the poet Haley talking about Black hair, the Sankofa Village drummers, and dancers, and the AfroGang performing. There will be other Black businesses highlighting their services.
Imani was asked what brings you happiness—”Bringing God’s vision to light. Honestly, at times, I do not know how things will happen, but when God puts it on your heart, you do it. When it becomes known, and it is a blessing to others—it is so satisfying. This builds up your spiritual muscles, and you can now do anything. Happiness is to bring God’s vision to life.”
Join us for a Night of Glamour, Culture, and Empowerment!
To secure your spot at the “GRWM Runway Experience” an evening where style, culture, and empowerment collide in a celebration of black excellence. Purchase your tickets at Eventbrite.
VIP tickets are $50 and include front row seats, swag bags valued at $100+, and drink tickets.
General Admission is a donation-based entry.
Proceeds from sales will go towards children to receive a free hairstyle for Easter.
Check her out on Instagram.
