Samata Pattinson for Culture@ F/W 2025
For this portrait, Samata wears a look by Erica Marché, founder of the Philadelphia-based label 1389 Woodliff. Erica’s work centers the stories and aesthetics of the Black American South, blending heritage, craftsmanship, and modern sustainability. Her designs honor the cultural memory of the South while reimagining its visual language for contemporary fashion.
A Modern Reflection of Black Southern Style
The dress draws from the tradition of Southern Sunday’s Best—a longstanding expression of dignity, pride, and artistry within Black American communities. Erica infuses elements of Southern Gothic influence and nods to Black quilting traditions, using shape and symbolism to preserve cultural narratives without relying on literal reproduction of historical garments.
Slow Craft and Natural Materials
Erica produces her work in small batches, prioritizing intentional design and minimizing waste. Most pieces are made from 100% cotton, a natural and biodegradable fiber that aligns with long-wear, low-impact fashion. Her approach supports a more thoughtful, human-centered production model while honoring the region’s textile lineage.
Ghanaian Symbolism & Fair Trade Gold
Samata’s accessories deepen the sustainability story. She wears a Gye Nyame pendant made from fair-trade gold, an Adinkra symbol from the Akan people of Ghana meaning “Except God,” associated with spiritual protection and resilience. Her cowrie beads, also sourced from Ghana, carry cultural meanings linked to prosperity, feminine strength, and ancestral connection across West African traditions.
She also wears a gold cuff—repurposed as an ankle cuff—introducing a creative circularity that reinforces longevity and re-use in personal styling.
The Takeaway
Erica Marché’s work represents a layered vision of cultural sustainability—honoring Black Southern heritage, prioritizing natural materials, and centering storytelling through design. Paired with Samata’s symbolic jewelry and grounded styling, the look reflects how sustainability can be both culturally rooted and personally expressive.
