Put simply, New York-based label K.NGSLEY “aims to reclaim and redefine theBlack, Queer, Femme body.”

Founded in 2020 by Nigerian-American designer Kingsley Gbadegesin, the rising label’s sex positive ready to wear has been sported by the likes of Lil Nas X, Bretman Rock, Issa Raye, Zaya Wade, among others. Thanks to the year’s whirlwind success, Gbadegesin is releasing his first expansive collection—C1A1 or Collection One Act One—which offers ready-to-wear, accessories, jewelry, and footwear.

Building upon the label’s successful tanks and jewelry, Gbadegesin looks to democratize the sphere of luxury fashion through his latest offering. For Gbadegesin, engaging with and designing for the Black Queer community is wholly natural. This past Summer, the creative launched ‘701 Jewelry’ which promoted sex-positivity amongst Black and Brown communities and highlighted the lack of access to PrEP—a medicine that prevents HIV infection. That sexual and cultural engagement continued with ‘C1A1’ as Gbadegesin experiments with house-favorite silhouettes while also verging into new territory with sensible separates and sexy styling.

Fashion-wise, the collection features a bevy of tonal ready to wear perfectly executed for the K.NGSLEY customer. The ‘Ayan Trouser,’ a mid-rise cotton must-have, is accented by utilitarian notions like darted panels, functional pockets, and antique nickel hardware. Sensual without being overt, the collection is a quiet forray into democratized luxury for the label.

Not only featuring desirable ready to wear, the collection hosts the brand’s first footwear silhouette — the ‘Clandestine Boot.’ The ankle-high boot is crafted in matte leather and features a wraparound lace-up closure at the heel and a zip closure at the inner side. Expanding into uncharted territory, K.NGSLEY’s ‘C1A1’ proves that the Nigerian-American designer is one to watch. ‘C1A1’ is availanle to be shopped at k.ngsley.com and select retail partners including Nordstrom, Moda Operandi, and Fred Segal.