H&M and Costume Designer Ruth Carter Celebrated Their Collaboration With An Atlanta Block Party

Earlier this month, H&M launched a collection in collaboration with iconic costume designer Ruth Carter, known for her work in historic black films like *Black Panther, Do The Right Thing, and Malcolm X. The collection — which features clothing like graphic tees, sweatpants and a cool bucket hat — was created to inspire and spread a message of self-confidence and individuality and, to celebrate this capsule, H&M curated a 'Ruthless' neighborhood block party in Atlanta.

Last week, hundreds of creatives gathered at Georgia’s Freight Depot to experience the collection and Ruth’s legacy first hand. Only you couldn’t tell it was a freight depot because H&M transformed it into a mini-museum celebrating Ruth. The location had stations dedicated to influential black films she has worked on throughout her career — from a built-in brownstone paying homage to her work on Spike Lee's Do The Right Thing to an installation featuring the Black Panther costumes she designed.

Ruth is an artist herself, so it was only right that art was present during the celebration. “I feel like I have explored many layers of myself as a woman and as an artist,” Ruth said during a live podcast with Tracy G. Some of the most breathtaking art experienced at the block party was a huge portrait mural of Ruth drawn and painted by Brandon Sadler, the Atlanta artist behind Shuri’s lab in Black Panther.

“The foundation for my work is essentially storytelling, transformation, and identity,” Brandon told Teen Vogue, and this was displayed through his artwork of Ruth. “[Ruth] has been a cornerstone in so many staples of not only Black culture and artistry but also in the story of world culture. Participating in this event, brought into focus for me, some of the things I've been able to touch so far in my career."

Another artist at the gathering was Ashlee Haze, a poet and spoken word artist, also from Atlanta. Haze performed throughout the block party and told Teen Vogue, “I've learned that there is nothing more magical than a black woman who does what she was purposed to do. I've learned that to set a standard of excellence for yourself and your work is to teach others how to treat you.” H&M showed its commitment to black artists in a city where the black population is not only prominent but embedded in its culture.

Celebrities like Atlanta’s own K Camp also attended the event to show their support for Ruth. K Camp himself is having a huge moment as his song "Lottery" takes over the world thanks to the viral Renegade dance started by 14-year-old TikToker Jalaiah Harmon. “I’ve always known I had influence in my career and what I’m speaking is real,” K Camp told Teen Vogue. He referred to Ruth at the “GOAT” — a.k.a. greatest of all time —and wasn't shy to express his amazement at her work in Black Panther. “Those are crazy fits she put together on Black Panther,” he gushed.

The entire block party was an experience of black culture. From the art to the installations to the people in the room, it not only celebrated Ruth Carter’s collaboration with H&M but of all the work she has done in her career. Ruth is a living legend and H&M fully displayed what her legacy looks like. It was truly one of the best ways the brand could have shown love to the culture through film, art, and fashion for Black History Month.

Originally Appeared on Teen Vogue