Actively Black Black Panther 2 Designer Interview
Meet the Designer Behind the "Black Panther 2" Collection Everyone's Wearing
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"Black Panther: Wakanda Forever" is a blowout success, topping the box office for the fourth weekend in a row. But beyond the movie theatre, its footprint is ever evolving, even expanding into the world of fashion. Most recently, Marvel Studios partnered with activewear brand Actively Black on a Wakanda Athletics capsule collection inspired by the movie.
The collection includes two instalments available now: Classic, a nod to collegiate apparel from Wakanda University, as well as Performance, an ode to the power source vibranium, found in Wakanda. A third and final drop will launch on Dec. 25. It's composed of wearable pieces for both men and women, ranging from sizes XS to 3XL and S to 4XL, respectively. Crafted from high-quality tech fabric and rendered in colours like grey, purple, and black, Wakanda Athletics features an array of activewear staples. Think joggers, hoodies, shirts, and fitness accessories.
"Black designers and creators serve as a blueprint, but we don't reap the full benefit of our genius. Actively Black is not asking for a seat at the table; we built our own."
Deeply moved by "Black Panther: Wakanda Forever"'s portrayal of Black excellence, innovation, and ownership, Actively Black founder Lanny Smith saw the partnership as a perfect fit. "I remember the feeling of pride after seeing the movie for the first time, and in creating Actively Black, it has always been important to me that our brand emulate that feeling for our customers and community," he tells POPSUGAR. Smith envisions moviegoers experiencing "the work of revolutionary Black talent on the big screen, while also wearing clothes that are not only designed by a Black-owned brand, but are also a representation of Black style and culture and greatness."
Black ownership is especially important to Smith, who announced the brand on Juneteenth 2020 and already boasts fans like Meagan Good and Romeo Miller. "Black designers and creators serve as a blueprint, but we don't reap the full benefit of our genius," he says. "Actively Black is not asking for a seat at the table; we built our own."
Ahead, Smith opens up about Actively Black's origin story, the enduring impact of "Black Panther," his journey toward entrepreneurship, and more. Keep reading for the full interview and to shop select pieces from the collection.
This interview has been edited and condensed for clarity.
On the Meaning Behind the Name Actively Black
PS: How did you come up with the name Actively Black, and what's its significance to you?
LS: Actively Black is a play on words and serves two purposes for our brand. First, we want to create space for Black people to be unapologetically Black and to be an active part of the larger Black community, to actively embrace their Blackness.
And as a sports fashion brand, we also want to promote and encourage healthier lifestyle choices that include regular physical activity and healthy nutrition. Black communities around the world suffer disproportionately from life-threatening illnesses including diabetes, high blood pressure, hypertension, etc. — and largely preventable conditions linked to nutrition and physical activity. It is our belief that by educating the youth, providing resources, and creating pathways for our communities, [we can] drive real and meaningful change.
On the Enduring Impact of "Black Panther: Wakanda Forever"
PS: What aspects of the Black Panther story and message resonate most with you?
LS: Wakanda is a symbol of Black excellence, innovation, and ownership, both on and off the screen — the Black Panther franchise represents one of the biggest moments of the diaspora coming together. As a brand founded on self-sufficiency and rooted in the mission to unify and reinvest in the Black community, those Wakandan principles are reflected in our brand identity and core values. Black designers and creators serve as a blueprint, we move culture forward, we innovate and set the trends, but we don't reap the full benefit of our genius. Actively Black is not asking for a seat at the table; we built our own.
OnHow the Clothes Will Emotionally Resonate With Shoppers
PS: What do you hope people feel when they wear pieces from the Wakanda Athletics collection?
LS: I remember the feeling of pride after seeing the movie for the first time, and in creating Actively Black, it has always been important to me that our brand emulate that feeling for our customers and community.
The introduction of this collection takes that feeling one step further — moviegoers can experience the work of revolutionary Black talent on the big screen, while also wearing clothes that are not only designed by a Black-owned brand but are also a representation of Black style and culture and greatness. Even beyond this static moment, this collection will serve as a constant reminder of the greatness in our DNA every time we wear the brand and this collection for years to come.
