XO QUAY Blog

XO QUAY Blog

GO BEHIND THE SCENES: DESIGNER DRIP

Add something extra to your frame with new jewelry. Even more 14k gold plated pieces meant to be mixed, matched, and fully stacked. Necklaces, charms, and earrings are starting at €25. 

Go behind the drip with product designers Colleen + Adesha. 


The design process starts by identifying key runway looks. Then, our designers break down those trends, make mood boards, and sketch to ensure each piece is thoughtfully designed with our squad (and quality) in mind. 

LAYER UP 
Each piece is designed to layer on the drip, adding something extra to our squad’s snapshot style. When people are spending more time seeing each other from the waist up, we wanted people to express their selfies with glasses and jewelry—real pants not required. 

SHOP JEWELRY 

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SUPPORTING THE NEXT GENERATION OF WOMXN

This International Women’s Day, we’re challenging the way things have always looked. Buck the system. See positive change. Envision a brighter future. Donating over €100,000 EUR to non-profits around the world, including Girls Inc. of Alameda County.

We talked to some of program leads for a short Q/A about helping empower, inspire, and equip young girls to succeed.


From top to bottom, left to right: Akilah, Kristina, Maritza, Rosa, and Halle

Q: THIS YEAR’S INTERNATIONAL WOMEN’S DAY OFFICIAL THEME IS CHOOSE TO CHALLENGE. WHAT DOES THAT MEAN FOR YOUR ORGANIZATION?

HALLE, GIRLS INC. US: I believe that I challenged the "model minority" myth—or rather redefined it for myself—and broke down barriers even my family did not think was possible. In doing so, I was able to forge my own path and show up today as an Asian American woman working in education.

KRISTINA, GIRLS INC. US: For Girls Inc of Alameda County, we choose to challenge inequalities our youth may face, and help our students realize their voice through education and supporting growth mindset. 

Q: WHAT DOES BEING AN ADVOCATE + WHAT DRIVES YOUR DECISION MAKING?


AKILAH
, GIRLS INC. US: Being an advocate for other girls and women is an intentional practice—I understand that I must use my time and talent to create a world where women, girls and femmes are afforded the opportunity to pursue their dreams with pride and tenacity.

MARITZA, GIRLS INC. US: As an advocate for other girls and women, I see myself as a sister eager to share my knowledge/experiences in hopes of having a positive impact on other's growth. My understanding of society and my values help me with decision-making.

ROSA, GIRLS INC. US: Being an advocate for girls is about opening doors that were once shut by society.

 

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featured

THE HISTORY BEHIND THE SAUCE

It goes by many names—Black excellence, Black joy, the sauce, etc.—whatever you call it, it’s threaded throughout our Black History Month features, and we’re ending our Drip Series by highlighting the history behind the sauce. 

We spoke with Dr. Robert P Robinson who has served as a K-12 educator for 11 years, teaching at public high schools. His field of study is in Africana Studies & History of Education with a focus on the Black Freedom Movement, Curriculum, and Instruction. 


We’re using our platform to amplify the causes that are important to our community internally + externally, donating €25,000 in honor of Black History Month to: 

  • The NAACP Legal Defense and Educational Fund, Inc.: America's premier legal organization fighting for racial justice. 
  • Therapy for Black Men: An American organization working to help change the narrative around Black men seeking mental health support, helping them find the resources they need. 
  • Therapy for Black Girls: A US-based online space dedicated to encouraging the mental wellness of Black women and girls. 
  • Plus, we provided 300 pairs of blue light glasses to Black Girls Code, an organization based in New York + the Bay Area dedicated to teaching girls ages 7-17 about computer programming and digital technology. 

COMMUNITY IS QUAY 

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COMMUNITY IS QUAY, 2021

We believe that COMMUNITY IS QUAY and all people—regardless of gender, sexual orientation, race, or creed—deserve respect, opportunity, and love. This idea is central to everything we do at Quay because we are nothing without the unique, diverse group of individuals internally + externally who are part of our global community.  

We will continue to envision a brighter future with the power of our voice, our dollars, and our actions.  

See all the ways YOU are helping us give back in 2021: 

JUNE

PRIDE COLLECTION – SUPPORTING LGBTQIA+ MENTAL HEALTH
We believe that all people—regardless of gender, sexual orientation, race, or creed—deserve respect, opportunity, and love. In honor of Pride Month, we’re proudly donating to the following organizations:

  • The Trevor Project: In the US, we donated €100K EUR to The Trevor Project—the world's largest suicide prevention and crisis intervention organization for LGBTQ young people under 25.
  • Minus18: In Australia, we’re donating 100% of proceeds, up to €20K AUD, in the month of June to support Minus18—an organization that champions for LGBTQIA+ youth through events, education and campaigns.
  • Mermaids: In the UK, we’re donating £5,000+ GBP to Mermaids—UK’s leading LGBTQ+ charity supporting trans kids + their families.

MAY

ICY FOR GOOD – SUPPORTING RACIAL JUSTICE APPI COMMUNITY
Our Style for Good series in the US continued to support #HATEISAVIRUS. Raising over €3,000 EUR in one day, making our total donation to this nonprofit community of mobilizers and amplifiers €14,000 EUR. Helping raise funds during AAPI Heritage Month in support of the AAPI community through programs related to mental health, better protections for the elderly, representation, solidarity-building, and more.

AFTER HOURS FOR GOOD – HELPING END PERIOD POVERTY
Our Style for Good series in Australia donated 100% of proceeds to Share the Dignity, a charity working to end period poverty. Raising over €1,500 AUD in one day and donated an additional €50,000 AUD in support of their Dignity Vending Machine Program, which ensures access to period products to the most vulnerable.

APRIL

NOOSA FOR GOOD – SUPPORT RACIAL JUSTICE APPI COMMUNITY
Our Style for Good series was in continued support of #HATEISAVIRUS. We raised over €7,000 EUR in one day + have donated over €11,000 EUR to this nonprofit community of mobilizers and amplifiers that exists to dismantle racism and hate. The only way to fight racism is to be actively anti-racist—educate yourself, speak up, donate, take action. There is no neutral position on racism. 

MARCH

  • COME THRU FOR GOOD – INSPIRING ALL GIRLS TO BE STRONG, SMART, AND BOLD
    Our Style for Good series supported cause with confidence—envisioning a brighter future + supporting the next generation by donating 100% of proceeds from COME THRU. We raised over €5,000 EUR + donated a total of €100,000 EUR to Girls Inc, a non-profit within the United States and Canada that provides mentoring relationships, safe spaces, and evidence-based programming to girls ages 5-18.
  • HATEISAVIRUS – SUPPORTING RACIAL JUSTICE
    In support of the Asian American and Pacific Islander Community, we transitioned our round-up feature in March to help #HATEISAVIRUS, a nonprofit community of mobilizers and amplifiers that exists to dismantle racism and hate. So far, our community has helped raise €10,000 EUR.

FEBRUARY 

  • NIGHTFALL FOR GOOD SUPPORTING SOCIAL JUSTICE + MENTAL HEALTH
    Our Style for Good series supported Black History Month in the US + Mardi Gras in Australia, donating 100% of proceeds from Nightfall. For a total of €25,000 EUR to the NAACP LDF, America's premier legal organization fighting for racial justice + €15,000 AUD to Minus18, an organization that aims to improve the lives of the LGBTQIA+ youth through events, education, and empowerment across Australia.
  • BLACK HISTORY MONTH - SUPPORTING RACIAL JUSTICE, MENTAL HEALTH, AND EDUCATION 
    In honor of Black History Month, we donated €25,000 EUR to the following organizations for the continued support in the fight for racial justice, mental health, and education for members of our community: 

Plus, we provided 300 pairs of blue light glasses to Black Girls Code, an organization based in New York + the Bay Area dedicated to teaching girls ages 7-17 about computer programming and digital technology.   

JANUARY 

  • JANUARY 26 IN AUSTRALIA - SUPPORTING SOCIAL JUSTICE 
    In partnership with @clothingthegap, we helped amplify the voices of members of the Australian Aboriginal Community, continuing the conversation about January 26 + committing our dollars with a €15,000 AUD donation to The Healing Foundation—an Australia-based Aboriginal + Torres Strait Islander organization that partners with communities to address the ongoing trauma caused by the impact of colonization + actions like the forced removal of children from their families.   
  • BLUEPRINT FOR GOOD  SUPPORTING COVID RELIEF EFFORTS 
    This year we continued our Style for Good series, which designates a day each month to feature a bestselling style that gives back to a charity. This past January we kicked it off by giving proceeds from BLUEPRINT to the American Nurses Foundation. Together, we donated €10,000 EUR to this organization that advocates for the wellbeing + success of nurses like those on the frontlines fighting COVID-19. 

 

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Community Conversations: Kicking Off Black History Month at Quay

ft. SOME MEMBERS OF OUR QUAY FAM

From top left to right: Arielle, Chia, Jovan
From bottom left to right: James, Rachael, Belle

We're keeping the conversation going all month long + talking about the drip that exists in Blackness. It goes by many names—Black excellence, Black joy, the sauce—and we’re kicking it all off with our employees in a Q/A.

What do you do at Quay?

ARIELLE, STYLIST @ GLENDALE GALLERIA: The best part about my job is that I get to connect with customers through the styling experience. I LOVE bringing people out of their comfort zones, as it boosts their self-confidence...

BELLE, STYLIST @ DOMAIN: I am a Sales Lead Quay Domain Northside in Austin!

CHIA, PLANNING MANAGER: My title is Manager, Demand Planning—I work closely with our shop’s team.

JAMES, REGIONAL MANAGER: I’m a District Manager for Retail Shops at Quay. I manage stores in Southern California, Arizona, Nevada, Texas, and Florida.

JAVON, STYLIST @ FASHION SHOW: PT Sales Lead at Fashion Show [in Las Vegas].

JOVAN, SR. DESIGNER: I help create the digital brand look, collaboration campaigns, and promos through web design for Quay.com...

RACHAEL, STYLIST @ FASHION SQUARE: I work as a FT Sales Lead who drives sales for my store/team, creating a great experience for my customers.

Are there any specific Black Culture moments that inspired you to work in fashion?

ARIELLE: Growing up, noticing the style of the Black culture itself was an inspiration. Black culture sets a statement through our fashion, from our clothes to the aesthetics, and most importantly, the versatility of our hair.

JAMES: All things Prince! Seeing a man that resembled me, and that was so effortlessly himself was wildly inspiring. He challenged me to think about self-expression without boundaries.

RACHAEL: I remember watching Naomi and Tyra walk in a few fashion shows and saw how beautiful they were. They made me feel confident and showed me the representation that I needed when I was younger. There weren't many toys or barbies for me to play with that were Black or mixed like me.

How do you celebrate Black History Month?

BELLE: I celebrate by seeing how much influence Black culture has in day-to-day life with fashion, music, and food!

CHIA: To be honest, BHM has never felt like it was for Black people. For me, it has always felt like a reminder for everyone else about the culture, the history, the difficulties, and the joys of being Black. I celebrate, enjoy, and love being Black every day of the year. 

RACHAEL: By taking time to appreciate everything that I have, what I worked for, and my accomplishments, my ancestors allowed me to get to where I am.

What piece of Black History do you think more people should know?

CHIA: The cartoon character Betty Boop was based on a Black jazz singer named Esther Jones. She popularized ‘baby’ type vocals and ‘boops’ in jazz songs.

JAMES: Madam C.J. Walker was the first female self-made millionaire in the US. Her granddaughter is my mother’s best friend. Her story was something we heard growing up, and our Aunt LeLe went on to write a book about her grandmother. That book has turned into stories that have now been translated into a series on Netflix called “Self-made.”

JOVAN: It's hard to narrow it down, but all the inventions that Black people have contributed that get swept under the rug and may not be common knowledge like Home Security Systems Co-Invented by Mary Van Brittan Brown or the Three-Light Traffic Light by Garrett Morgan.

What is one Black-owned business you support all year that everyone should support too?

ARIELLE: I like to support smaller Black-owned businesses...my close friend Gabrielle Myers is a dance choreographer and teacher. Being in that industry, there's not much Black representation, so she is paving the way to show Black girls and women of all ages that they are capable, if not more, to express themselves.

CHIA: Just one? I have two! Wine: I’m lucky to be a member of Brown Estates in Napa. They are one of the very few Black-owned wineries in the world. Coffee:  Red Bay Coffee is delicious. Whether I buy beans to make coffee at home or drink something brewed from their shop, it is always delicious!

JAVON: I would support @jameldeon...He is a rapper but also has a brand called “Hustle with Me.” The brand is meant to motivate, uplift. and inspire the hustler in you! It’s about working hard, looking fly, and getting your hustle on.

COMMUNITY IS QUAY

We believe that all people—regardless of gender, sexual orientation, race, or creed—deserve respect, opportunity, and love.

 

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