Danielle Brooks has retired her Orange Is the New Black khaki prison garb in favor of something a little more luxe.
The actress best known for her role as Taystee on the hit Netflix show has stepped into a new role: that of designer. In collaboration with luxe plus-size distributor Universal Standard, Brooks has created a capsule collection!
Each collection acts as an answer to the question, “What has been something you've always wanted to wear but always have trouble finding in your size?"
And let me tell you, the three-piece collection is filled with on-trend, size-inclusive, universally flattering styles that all absolutely slay! Read on to see what the actress/designer had to say about each piece.
In My Overalls
“The overalls were a no brainer," Brooks told PeopleStyle. “For years I have looked for a pair of overalls that weren't too baggy in the crotch, that presented some type of wow factor and that weren't too long in the body. This one will be sure to satisfy every woman who has felt like me."
Devil In A Shirt Dress
“The shirt dress was inspired by one of my fashion icons, Solange Knowles. Too often, I'm not able to wear the cool unique statement pieces that I see because they never run in my size. This piece will have people asking you, 'excuse me, where did you get that?!'"
Sweater Weather
“With this piece, you are able to dress it up, dress it down, wear it off the shoulder, and even rock it as a chic hoodie," she explains. “It's what every woman will be looking to wear for fall."
The Universal Standard x Danielle Brooks collection, in sizes 10-28, is available now at Universal Standard. Grab 'em while you can.
What are three go-to pieces in your capsule collection? Let us know in the comments below.
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To help you better understand why this was such a mental awakening for me, I first need to give a bit of my backstory. I’m in my late thirties. I’m an attorneyand a journalist. I own a home and have traveled the world extensively. Essentially, I’ve done everything in life I set out to do. However, when it comes to dating, I struggle. Not because there is anything wrong with me per se, but because my career and “lifestyle” often create problems in my romantic relationships.
View from my hotel room
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I’ve been told everything from, ‘I can’t continue to date you because you seem to choose your career over wanting to settle down and have kids’ by a man after only the second date to ‘Maybe if you just sat down somewhere for a while, I’d actually wife you’ by someone who has honestly never proven themselves to be the settle down type. And these are only a handful of the things I’ve been told over the years.
It’s been frustrating, to say the least, and there have even been seasons where I purposely dimmed my light in hopes that my career wouldn’t push away potential suitors. I know what you’re thinking, “Girl, why would you even consider that? If they’re for you, it won’t matter what you do.” Hey, don’t judge me, but also, I one hundred percent agree.
My hotel bathroom
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That’s why this recent moment in Switzerland was right on time. When I first walked into the hotel to check in, I was blown away by the surrounding beauty. It was a five-star property with one of the world’s most famous thermal bathhouses. Yet, it was something about seeing that 90% of the hotel’s guests were couples, that forced me to sit back for a bit of introspection—while soaking in the thermal spa, of course.
As I went through the mental conversation, there was a battle of sorts. On one hand, I knew that being able to partake in experiences like the one I was having at that moment was important to me. I knew that, at times I actually love being able to dabble in the finer things—after all, I’ve worked hard to be able to afford them. On the other hand, and sadly, I knew that sometimes being a single Black woman that publicly showcases her “luxurious” habits can intimidate men and even scare them off from pursuing you under the guise of them feeling like they “can’t do anything for you, because you have everything.”
My hotel room
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So, what is a girl to do?
Do I minimize/hide the life and experiences that I have? Do I play down the hard work I’ve put in to get where I am professionally? Or, do I risk being single in exchange for being able to have said life, without backlash?
Luckily, the joy that I felt while being at this property won. There was something about taking a full day to simply pamper myself at the bathhouse and in my in-room steam shower and soaker tub, indulging in cuisine from a 2-star Michelin restaurant and doing all of this while surrounded by an amazing group of Black women that reminded me—this is certainly the life I was meant to live and that I deserve. Even if it means that right now, I’ll just have to provide it for myself until the right partner comes along. And honestly, I’m okay with that.
Restaurant at 7132 hotel
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