Chambers strives to bring confidence to plus size women through her collection. Source: Chayiah Chambers ’23

Fashion Design student, Chayiah Chambers ’23 began her clothing brand called “BLACCHAI” in 2021, focusing on creating awareness for the plus-size women in fashion and sustainability.

Initially, Chambers struggled to come up with a print for her collection. The sudden inspiration came after drawing plus-size figures during class, which she then decided to use for her collage print. The print was so highly praised that when her friends saw it, they wanted it on their clothes.

From there, Chambers tested out the print on various clothing items such as jeans, sweatshirts and beanies. On all of these pieces, the print created a statement of resilience regarding plus-size women. This ultimately became the foundation of her brand: “Sexy isn’t a Shape, It's an Attitude.”

As a plus-size woman herself, Chambers stated, “Society often puts down the category of plus-size women and thinks that we are not sexy or appealing. Many brands and retail stores do not carry the same designs in the plus-size category as offered in lower-size categories and if they do, the design is often manipulated and does not carry the same appeal.”

With her brand, Chambers strives to normalize the plus-size category and show how one's attractiveness is not defined by their body type or shape, but by the confidence within them.

Along with the empowering message, her brand is highly sustainable as she uses gently-used and thrifted clothes which she carefully handpaints her signature print on. “Thrifting has allowed my line to become very affordable and allows me to customize each print as an original piece,” Chambers said.

Currently, she sells her clothing line on Instagram and her website BLACCHAI.com. She also held a pop-up shop in Harlem, New York during the winter break.

Additionally, Chambers’ signature print handbag was featured in an auction for Unshattered’s 5th Anniversary Benefit, a non-profit organization that seeks to improve the lives of women who have suffered through addiction and trauma. This opportunity allowed her to reach a wider audience and create awareness for her brand through a charitable cause.

Throughout her fashion journey thus far, fashion merchandising and design Professor Sonia Roy, was someone who kept driving her forward. “She really helped me to be comfortable with my idea in Textile Design class and also allowed me to bring supplies home to work for my pop-up shop.”

Chambers plans to continue her line throughout the rest of her college career and into the future. She plans to use her signature print as part of her CFDA awards project this semester, which is a highly competitive arena for fashion students across the United States. From this, she seeks to create awareness for plus-size women on a larger scale and hopes to see change in the major industries. Moreover, Chambers plans to collaborate with Marist Mporium and launch a brand new collection. Upon graduation, she sees her current line developing into a combination of sportswear and streetwear, reflecting both the sexy attitude and comfortability of her brand.

“BLACCHAI”: A Collection Empowering Women

MARIST CIRCLE