At just 26, Camryn Renée McClain is stepping into her power, and onto one of fashion’s biggest stages.
During New York Fashion Week, the emerging designer unveiled her RENÉE collection titled Entwine, a striking debut that braided together natural hair inspiration, cultural storytelling, and the electric pulse of New York City nightlife.
Entwine was more than a collection; it was a visual love letter to textured hair in all its forms. From intricate rope-like detailing that mimicked twists to sculptural silhouettes reminiscent of coiled curls, McClain translated the language of natural hair into fabric. Structured bodices curved like halos of volume, while draped pieces wrapped and layered as though replicating the art of braiding. The craftsmanship felt intentional, every seam, fold, and intertwining panel echoing the beauty and complexity of Black hair culture.
But McClain didn’t stop at texture. She infused the collection with the after-dark energy of NYC. Think sleek blacks, deep espresso browns, flashes of metallic, and sheer fabrics that caught the light like city streets after rain. The interplay between softness and edge mirrored the duality of natural hair itself, delicate yet powerful, personal yet political.
The runway styling reinforced the narrative. Models embraced their natural textures, from voluminous afros to sculpted braids, amplifying the authenticity of the vision. Rather than treating hair as an afterthought, McClain positioned it as the blueprint. The clothes didn’t compete with the hair, they conversed with it.
In an industry that has historically sidelined textured hair, Entwine felt quietly revolutionary. McClain’s work reframed natural hair not as a trend, but as a design philosophy. By drawing inspiration from styles often misunderstood or marginalized, she elevated everyday beauty rituals into high-fashion statements.
What made the debut especially compelling was its confidence. There was no dilution of cultural references for broader appeal. Instead, McClain leaned fully into her perspective, trusting that specificity would resonate universally. And it did.
With Entwine, Camryn Renée McClain announced herself as a designer to watch, one who understands that fashion, like natural hair, is about identity, heritage, and self-expression. At NYFW, she didn’t just showcase garments; she wove a story. And the industry is clearly ready to be wrapped in it.
