New York designers are dealing with a lot right now — with the realities of the economy and current political landscape, including tariffs, increased costs for materials, and scarce funding opportunities — all while living in one of the most expensive cities in the world. In this episode, Kenya sits down with Harlem-based designer JUNNY Ann Hibbert to discuss how she built her fashion brand while also staying true to her creative voice. Discover how JUNNY integrated fashion law into her business from the very beginning and focused on doing good along the way. The conversation also delves into the role of government in supporting creative entrepreneurs — particularly at the local level in New York City. What do fashion designers need right now and how should government leaders help?

JUNNY’s path into fashion was unconventional. After being downsized from her role as an ESPN sales executive, she channeled her energy into creativity, quickly gaining recognition for her unique designs. In 2021, she debuted her first collection at New York Fashion Week to critical acclaim, earning a spot as one of W Magazine’s top emerging talents of the year. JUNNY has received awards from the Council of Fashion Designers of America (CFDA), Fashion Group International (FGI) and Visa’s Next in Fashion. Her work has also been featured in Essence, The New York Times, The Wall Street Journal, WWD, and Vanity Fair. JUNNY’s creations — whether through fabric or fiber — tell powerful stories of pain, triumph, and cultural pride, making her a force in both fashion and art.

Connect with JUNNY:

LinkedIn: Junny Ann Hibbert

Instagram: @junny_nyc

Website: junny.nyc

Connect with Kenya: LinkedIn and Instagram

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