Actively Black in ESSENCE: Bringing Fitness to New York Fashion Week

ESSENCE covered Actively Black, the Black-owned athleisure brand founded by Lanny Smith in 2020, in its September 2022 story “Actively Black Brings Fitness To Fashion Week,” which reported on the brand’s New York Fashion Week debut. Writer Nandi Howard noted that a performance apparel label stood out among the runway shows of the season, and that the Tribe got a first look at something new from us: swimwear. For a brand that was not yet two years old, taking the NYFW stage was a statement about where Black-owned athletic apparel belongs.

Key takeaways

• ESSENCE reported that Actively Black made its New York Fashion Week debut in September 2022.
• According to ESSENCE, Actively Black stood out as an athleisure brand in a week usually dominated by traditional fashion labels.
• The NYFW presentation introduced men’s and women’s swimwear, expanding the brand beyond the workout apparel its earlier releases centered on.
• ESSENCE described staple athleisure sets with pops of bright pink and yellow, plus adult and children’s hoodies reading “We Are The Future.”
• ESSENCE framed the runway debut as a step in advancing the brand’s reach beyond athleisure.

In Lanny’s words

“Fashion trends, what we wear and how we wear it, is a reflection of our culture – particularly Black culture.”

— Lanny Smith, as quoted by ESSENCE from its February 2022 interview

Why it matters

Fashion week has long treated Black style as inspiration while too few Black-owned labels get the runway. In the story, ESSENCE revisited Lanny’s point that our communities should not only see Black culture and style represented in fashion, but also see people who look like them among the designers and brands presenting it. Showing up at NYFW as a Black-owned athletic brand is that idea in practice: ownership on the runway, not just influence on the mood board.

The “We Are The Future” hoodies, made for both adults and kids, said the rest. The clothes are the uniform for the movement, and that movement is generational. Our first NYFW show set the stage for the runway moments that followed, each one built to celebrate Black culture and uplift the community that makes it.

Shop the story

Find the everyday essentials from our core line in the women’s and unisex best sellers and gear up for training in All Performance. See how our runway story continued in the NYFW 2025 Collection.

Frequently asked questions

Who founded Actively Black?

Actively Black was founded in 2020 by Lanny Smith, a former professional basketball player who played at the University of Houston.

Is Actively Black Black-owned?

Yes. ESSENCE described Actively Black as a Black-owned athleisure wear brand in its NYFW coverage.

When did Actively Black debut at New York Fashion Week?

ESSENCE reported that Actively Black made its New York Fashion Week debut in September 2022.

What did Actively Black show at its first NYFW presentation?

According to ESSENCE, the brand presented a new men’s and women’s swim collection, athleisure sets with bright pink and yellow accents, and adult and children’s hoodies reading “We Are The Future.”

Read the full feature: Actively Black Brings Fitness To Fashion Week, ESSENCE (September 2022)