Radical Women
“Any woman who has a great deal to offer the world is in trouble. And if she’s a Black woman, she’s in deep trouble.” —Hazel Scott, pianist and singer
This sums up the multi-talented designers of Radical Women, a freshly minted boutique on Tompkins Ave. With four women representing four distinct brands, working together in one store, they share responsibilities. This is crucial, considering their various hustles.
Kim Hill (of body care line Next of Kim) is also a performing artist/songwriter who you know as the original singer from the (pre-Fergie) Black Eyed Peas; apparel designer and milliner Ashaka Givens is a celebrity stylist/costume designer who has created looks for Erykah Badu and artist Wangechi Mutu; Djassi DaCosta Johnson (of leather bag and accessories line dja.1974) is a dancer/choreographer currently pursuing an MFA in dance and new media; and Holly Williams (not pictured, of iSii Bags) has a background in musical theater.
The name Radical Women was inspired by a 2017 Brooklyn Museum exhibition that focused on the work of Black women artists from 1965-85. “They felt their work wasn’t being represented, so they banned together, watched each other’s children while one painted, took over personal responsibilities so another could write, and pushed each other to create and present sustainable work,” Hill explains.
The makers at Radical Women similarly help each other to create their wares, including natural fragrance sticks and whipped shea butter from Next of Kim; leather totes, clutches and computer sleeves from dja.1974; bold ankara print handbags and backpacks from iSii Bags; and satin-lined fedoras, as well as an elegant collection of skirts and blouses, from Ashaka Givens.
“It’s the ‘Year of Yes,’ like Shonda Rhimes. Our faith is unshakeable.”
“The space we occupy was a cigar shop that was vacant for a few months,” Hill says of Radical Women’s brick-and-mortar location, which opened its doors just two weeks ago. (You can also purchase from all four brands online at radicalwomenbk.com and through their independent sites.) “When Ashaka was approached by a mutual friend to see if we wanted to take it over...it was impossible to say no. It’s the ‘Year of Yes,’ like Shonda Rhimes. Our faith is unshakeable.”
384 Tompkins Ave., 917-893-8090, radicalwomenbk.com
