Using her love of science as a way to celebrate Black pride, Detroit-based Chemist Deirdre Roberson created her fashion line Eumelanin. With apparel filled with various hues, Eumelanin encourages self-pride by literally wearing your unique self on your sleeve.
We recently sat down with Deirdre to speak on why she created the line and so much more. Take a look:
BlackDoctor.org (BDO): What was your motivation behind creating your own fashion line?
Deirdre Robinson: I’ve always been in tune with fashion. It came together when I was in a pitch competition (in Feb 2018) and I decided to put the chemical structure of melanin on a shirt and everyone loved it. How can I make this stylish? I wanted to make the shirt in different skin tones. Take it to another level and make it possible
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BDO: Where did the name Eumelanin originate? Why’d you decide to go with that for your label?
Deirdre Robinson: It’s a specific type of melanin which makes our skin brown and our hair black. I wanted to point to the specific types of melanin that really makes us our skin tones rich and beautiful as Black people.
BDO: There's been an uptick in interest around melanin in pop culture lately. What do you attribute to the recent popularity in the black aesthetic?
Deirdre Robinson: We’ve always known that black people push the culture forward but right now we’re taking more ownership in our contributions. If we don’t get invited to the table, we create our own. We’re starting to appreciate our own melanin so others are following.
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BDO: Explain the connection between your passion for chemistry and Eumelanin.
Deirdre Robinson: I’ve always been heavily interested in Black culture. I’ve spoken on panels and acknowledged the importance of Black self-love for most of my adult life. When I was able to combine my creative side with the cerebral side, it was almost a no-brainer.
BDO: Any plans for expansion to other types of apparel?
Deirdre Robinson: Yes! We have plans to sell the line out of a flagship store in Detroit and will soon also be available for purchase in Macy’s.
To find out more about Eumelanin, visit @Eumelanin_.
Jasmine Browley holds an MA in journalism from Columbia College Chicago, and has contributed to Ebony, Jet and MADE Magazine among others. So, clearly, she knows some stuff. Follow her digital journey @JasmineBrowley.
